~ ASHTON’S POVI stood in front of the cemetery, my heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and sadness. I couldn’t bring myself to muster the courage to step in as I wanted to and I just couldn’t help but let my gaze roam around the yard, studying each gravestone. I have been doing this for nearly five minutes now, unable to stop. It's like I'm drawn to the stories and memories held within these grounds. It's both eerie and mesmerizing at the same time.I want to walk in but something inside of me isn’t ready yet. Maybe a part of me knows how hard it will be for me if I step in, or maybe I just still find it hard to believe the horrible reality. I’d rather be kept in an imagination than believe the truth of the death of my own brother.It’s been more than a week now since Jacob passed away and honestly, life has been pretty much messed up. As a matter of fact, I hate living knowing that I have no family left. Jacob was my only family and now that he is gone, I am all left alone with no o

~ BELLA’S POVReading novels just hasn't been the same without Jacob by your side. I find it hard to concentrate and focus when all I can think of is the times he and I used to read together, wrapped around each other’s arms and clouded with a cozy blanket. I miss those days and I certainly miss reading with him. Although since reading isn’t on my agenda for now, I found a new hobby to keep myself occupied; watering plants and taking a long walk around the garden.It’s just so relaxing and therapeutic, always clears my mind, and finds some peace in it. Nature is definitely my new absolute favorite place too. I wish I had realized how amazing those walks were when Jacob was around. We could have spent hours just talking and enjoying each other's company, without a care in the world. It's those moments of pure connection and freedom that I now long for. I wish Jacob was here. While diligently attending to the plants, I happened to catch sight of Austin's vehicle as he made his way back

~ AUSTIN’S POVWhoever is the person that had just knocked on my door at this hour has the most perfect timing because I can not think of a better moment to knock on the door. I normally do not like having guests at this time of the day but today is just different. I am beyond happy about this, as a matter of fact, I feel a hint of relief from whoever it is that had just knocked. This is because I am feeling super nervous about being with Bella regarding the marking situation. I don’t think I have ever been this nervous before. My mind, my brain, and my heart ain’t working together right now. All I can think of is marking Bella and ruining her life - I don’t want to do that. I have done enough already, ruining her life completely is just not the right thing to do. To be honest, this whole situation is just so crazy. I am really torn because deep down, I have this intense feeling that she might regret it down the line. I am not sure if Bella has an idea what this is all about, I mea

As I slowly awaken from my slumber, I stretch my arms above my head, feeling the gentle pull in my muscles. Opening my eyes, I take in the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. With a drowsy yet contented sigh, I sit up and use the back of my hand to gently rub my eyes, clearing away any remnants of sleep. A yawn escapes my lips; a brief melody of tiredness and readiness for the day ahead. As I turned around, feeling the rush of the morning, I caught sight of the clock and my heart skipped a beat. Only twenty short minutes left until breakfast! Without a moment to spare, I threw off the cozy covers and dashed into the bathroom, determined to freshen up quickly. I know how much Austin values punctuality, and I didn't want to keep him waiting.Speaking of Austin, I couldn’t help but think about how things are going to be right now. I mean, Samaria is back, and now that it seems like she’d be living with us for as long as I don’t know but quite a few days through. I am pret

Just as I was about to turn around and head out of the kitchen, a voice caught me off guard. "Austin."I instantly recognized it; it was Samaria's. I turned around, my voice filled with surprise. "What are you doing here?"She responded, "You said I can live here."I raised an eyebrow, still taken aback. "I mean, what are you doing here at this time?"Samaria lifted her water bottle for me to see and explained, "I wanted water.""Ohh," I said with a nod, understanding her feelings."What about you?" she inquired, genuinely interested in my reason."Same, I wanted water," I replied, realizing we both had a similar need."Oh, okay," she acknowledged.I was about to walk past her and leave when she spoke again, her voice filled with a hint of vulnerability. "Are you able to get any sleep?"I paused, sensing her struggle. "Why did you ask?" I inquired, wanting to understand her situation better."I'm finding it hard to find some sleep, and I guess I need you to give me some tips," she exp