"…I couldn't stay at home. I couldn't find what I was looking for. But when I returned here, when I came back to you, one look from you, Celeste, felt like I found something that had long been missing from my life…" Arik paused and took one of my hands.I just listened as my heart felt like it was bursting with joy."...And I knew that once you touched me, once you spoke to me during those times, I knew I would keep coming back to you, over and over again. No matter how many times, I knew I would keep crawling back to you. Celeste… coming for you was like arriving home to a place I had never been but have been yearning for my whole life. I was yours before we even touched each other. That's why I couldn't stay in one house; it's because you were the one I wanted to come home to. You and our beautiful daughter, Ariah."Tears I'd been trying to hold back flowed from my eyes. I covered my mouth to stifle any sound. Arik chuckled and wiped my te

Since we descended, Rusty had his arm around me until we reached the cottage. Everyone was silent and looked at Rusty and me with surprise, which raised my eyebrows. Especially when I saw Tatiana seated beside Arik, her body almost leaning against his arm.In utter annoyance, I sat at the far end of the long bench and quietly helped myself to some food. Rusty followed suit, taking a seat next to me, which made me smile at his action."Where were you guys?"Arik's question nearly made me lift my gaze, not just because of his question but also the tone. It always seemed threatening. I didn't intend to answer, but Rusty did it for me.Tatiana remained by Arik's side, only shifting her gaze toward me when she noticed my stare. I pursed my lips when she sighed and avoided eye contact."We were just at the rock formation nearby," he casually answered Arik while I focused on peeling shrimp for myself."What were you doing th

It was already noon when I woke up from a deep sleep once again. After Arik told me that, we decided to rest inside the hut. He seemed surprised by my lack of shock, but I assured him that I already knew. Aside from the fact that the disease was progressing swiftly in his brain.What can I do to help him? Lord, tell me, please. Anything. I will do anything to help him.When I looked for Arik around the hut, he wasn't there, so I decided to go downstairs carrying the food he had prepared for me earlier.As I was still on the steps of the hut, I heard a woman's voice from the large cottage in the middle of the area, so I hurried my steps. I even witnessed Rusty quickly exiting the hut intended for him, appearing angry from his expression.Out of curiosity, I rushed straight to the cottage only to find him with her. My anger flared up immediately when I saw her approach Arik, who had his back turned in my direction.I placed the tr

His gaze focused more on me. It deepened, piercing into my soul. I saw him take a sip of the beer while still keeping his gaze fixed on me. I'm starting to feel uneasy because of the way he's looking at me.He is looking—no, he's staring at me until it reaches my soul. He's staring at me as if he adores me so much. He's staring at me as if I'm the only person he's seeing right now.He is so entrancing. His eyes are so captivating and I can't get enough of it. I absolutely love his brown eyes.He was dreamy. His eyes were dreamy. I was lost in those brown eyes, and I never wanted to be found. I loved the way he looked at me.In a moment, he took another sip of his beer. I thought our staring would end there, but I was mistaken.I felt a rush of excitement when suddenly he stood up and said something to Noah and Rusty before heading towards me, leaving the guitar with Rusty.I immediately averted my gaze as he nea

There are stories of individuals who went missing and were later found lifeless, having met with accidents or worse. What if that happens to him? I can't bear the thought.Quietly, I slipped into Rusty's car while he was making continuous calls to Arik's friends and acquaintances. If Arik had taken his phone when he left, everything would have been so much easier, but he didn't. He left in haste, just wanting to get away from me."Have you spoken with his doctor? Maybe Arik mentioned something to him before you found out everything," Rusty suggested, offering me an idea.I cleared my throat and glanced at Rusty, who was focused on driving."Hi, doc. It's me, Celeste. Arik is missing right now. He suddenly had an episode. He can't remember me," I started.I heard him excuse the nurse before responding. I could sense his worried sigh."I had a feeling this might happen. Did he take his medication last night?"