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Chapter 104 - Ticking Time-Bomb
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2024-10-29 19:42:56My mouth hung open, and I felt even dizzier with the new information. It suddenly brought to mind the events of the past few months: Arik's increasing forgetfulness, his changing moods.
Were those the symptoms? Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't anyone inform me?"Poor Celeste, but don't worry about him anymore. I'll take good care of him once you're gone," she said and released me roughly, turning to the two men who seemed to be preparing something from a bag."Hurry up, attach it!"I had no choice but to watch in silence, paralyzed by the unfolding events. Soon after, my heart pounded wildly when one of the men approached, and I was quickly in his grasp."No, no. What's that? What are you going to do?" Desperation laced my voice."I thought you were smart. This is the one thing you don't know? That's a bomb, Celeste. You're going to explode here later on," Hannah said nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders.Related chapters
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The cold sweat on my brow bore witness to my escalating fear, and I desperately tried to make sense of the bomb's mechanism, but the enigmatic wires and blinking lights left me paralyzed with frustration. It was like deciphering a cruel puzzle with a merciless countdown.As I heard Arik struggle with the unyielding door from the outside, the helplessness of my situation gnawed at me like an insatiable beast. My emotions churned within me like a tempest, a turbulent storm.First came denial—I couldn't believe this was happening, couldn't believe I was about to meet my end in this forsaken place.Anguish and anger surged through me as I came to terms with the cruel fate that had befallen us. The bomb was a malevolent specter, and I longed to cry out at the world for the injustice of it all. Why us? Why now?And then, like a lightning strike, the unalterable truth hit me: I might never see my daughter again. Her innocent smile, her laughter, the feel o
After This Night Chapter 106 - Suffocating Bond
"Hannah has been returned to the mental facility. Unfortunately, she cannot be incarcerated yet due to her current condition, which is affecting the investigation. But don't worry, everything is going well. She won't be able to leave there anymore," Oliver explained to me, his certainty evident in his voice.I glanced at Arik, whose expression remained unyielding as he focused on the documents before him.His lawyer friend was explaining something once more, but I couldn't grasp the details, my attention solely fixed on Arik, who appeared to be struggling with whatever he was reading.Then I suddenly recalled what Hannah had told me that night, the information Arik hadn't shared with me. Did he intend to tell me something? Were his symptoms resurfacing?My concern heightened when he clutched his head and closed his eyes tightly. I immediately approached him to get his attention."We can do this tomorrow or in the coming days. You don't need to do a
After This Night Chapter 107 - Real Condition
After few minutes, I decided to just find him. When I stepped into the garden, I saw him talking to someone. It was Rusty."I hope she won't find out what happened back then. I know you remember everything, Rik. When do you plan to tell her about your condition?" Rusty asked Arik sternly.I stood there, frozen. What were they talking about?"You no longer have to worry about that. I only agreed to have you come tonight for her sake," Arik coldly replied."I also agreed to come here tonight for her because she wants me to be here. Don't you think she should know about your condition from you? She'll be hurt even more if she finds out from someone else, Rioflorida," Rusty stated firmly. His deep concern was evident.I heard Arik's string of curses as he muttered to the air and then suddenly knelt in front of Rusty. I was alarmed but unable to move closer to them."Stop interfering in my life, Serrano. She doesn't need to know because I'm going
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Rusty blinked twice. He looked even deeper into my eyes as if he didn't want our gaze to break. It seemed as though he was ready to answer all my questions if I were to ask him about it now.But that was interrupted by Arik's sudden approach."What the fuck are you doing, Serrano?" Arik's tone was harsh, which alarmed me.Rusty, however, didn't seem fazed at all. He just adjusted his seat and looked up at Arik."Ah, keeping your woman accompanied while you were with another woman?" Rusty retorted mockingly.Seeing the anger in Arik's expression, I quickly stood up and approached him. I also noticed Tatiana heading in our direction, which made me grimace."We were just talking about something, Arik," I calmly explained to him and glanced back at Rusty, who remained seated, looking unflinchingly defiant.I knew he was about to spill the beans, but Arik's sudden approach put a halt to it."Arik, why did you leave so suddenly? I still want to ask
After This Night Chapter 109 - Need to Go
"Thank you for giving this to us, this moment, Arik," I whispered as I gently caressed his face.I couldn't help but remember the illness he carried, but I quickly pushed it aside.Arik's expression softened even more. His jaw clenched briefly as his gaze drifted to my lips and then returned to my eyes."No, I should thank you, Celeste. Thank you for giving me this chance to be with you again, and I'm sorry for everything. Forgive me," he said in a hoarse voice and hugged me."I will ask for your forgiveness for the rest of my life, my love. Even if my memory fades away... again."The small smile on my lips vanished, replaced by fear and sadness. I held him tightly and quietly wiped away my tears.God, please, don't do this to us. I can't bear it. Every labored breath he took felt like a painful reminder of the life we were slowly losing.As I hugged him, my heart ached with a heaviness I could scarcely bear. Arik had always been the anchor of my e
After This Night Chapter 110 - Bromance
In a rush, Arik sped to the hospital alongside Kim and Noah because Kim was a doctor, and fortunately, the hospital was close to our place of stay.I wished to accompany them, yet I refrained as there was no one to watch over Ariah.Arik only mentioned that something happened to Rusty without elaborating further, as he hurriedly departed.I found it surprising, especially considering his earlier demeanor, deeply concerned and somewhat upset. It made me ponder if there was still a chance for them to reconcile.Sitting silently beside my daughter, I gazed at her. She was sound asleep, but a faint smile lingered on her lips. She's probably dreaming about her father, as usual.I was in that position when my phone chimed. Arik had messaged me, followed closely by a text from Kim.Arik:I'm sorry for not updating you promptly, but we're already at the hospital. I'll be heading back home soon. Take a rest, Celeste.T
After This Night Chapter 111 - Proposal
"…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
After This Night Chapter 112 - Non-stop
Gino ascended to the yacht first, followed by another man who would assist us. Noah and Kim followed. Then came Rusty, me, and Arik, who was behind me. I thought Arik would follow me inside the yacht, but I overheard Tatiana calling him instead."Sorry. I have a fear of heights. You know that," she said, reaching out for Arik's hand.Arik, furrowing his brow, quickly glanced at me, as if seeking permission. I just smiled and nodded at him."Let's go," Rusty whispered to me, guiding me towards Kim, who was at the yacht's railings, gazing at the sea.The yacht was spacious, rented by Arik solely for us. The island we were headed to was one of the most famous and talked-about islands in the area, but only a few people had the chance to visit. It was a private island, and the owner preferred to keep it away from the bustling crowd to prevent damage."Hey," Arik suddenly approached me while I was admiring the rolling waves.
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My beloved Celeste Koa,Hi, baby. I know that at this moment, you're crying and hurting deeply. I promised that I wouldn't make you cry anymore, but I repeatedly failed, so please forgive me.Forgive me because I was a coward to face you. Forgive me because, in the end, my courage wasn't enough to fight for you and our child. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to tell you that I'm tired.I'm so tired, but I don't want to give up. I don't want to die. I don't want to leave you, but I can't do anything.When they told me that my memories would return soon, that was the sign that I would soon be gone. I wanted to tell you, my love. I wished to tell you because I wanted you to stay by my side until the end, but I felt like I was being too selfish. I couldn't bear to see you hurt and crying anymore.So forgive me if I did everything to make you hate me. I did everything to make it easier for you to accept that I'm no longer here. So that you wouldn't be hurt too much.But I was wr
After This Night Chapter 150 - Last Kiss
And what does he call what I'm feeling now? Easy? Is this easier for him? He died without me by his side. He died without me knowing his final wishes. He died without me knowing his last words.He died without us, without his daughter by his side.How do I tell this to Ariah? How do I explain everything to her? Why did he have to do this? I can't understand.I caught my breath as I tried to pull myself back from the darkness. In the midst of my sobbing and wailing, Rusty came to pick me up and hug me. When I looked at him, he was also crying. A sign that he knew nothing about what happened."Celeste, I'm so sorry. Please forgive us..." Tito Isaiah muttered. "My son... It was his wish not to let you know everything. If it were up to me, I would have told you about his last day, but he didn't want that, and I couldn't do anything."My hands trembled. I sobbed again. I covered my mouth and screamed in anguish. Rusty held me tightly to prevent me from collapsing."If only I could have tol
After This Night Chapter 149 - Whites
He had a serious expression as he stood up and approached me. He helped me put on my necklace."I'm with her, Au. If you want, you can come too. Once she's satisfied enough, then we'll bring her home immediately," Rusty convinced her.Aurora just rolled her eyes, almost losing the color in them."You're spoiling her too much, Rusty. I don't know about you two," she said, grabbing her bag. "But I'm coming along, even if you don't say so."After that, Aurora stormed out. I could feel her anger, and I understood it because she just wanted to protect me. I was also frustrated with myself for not being able to give in to the people around me.It's just that I feel like I need this. I need to witness firsthand that there's really no hope left for us to reconcile. I need to see that so I have nothing left to hold on to."Hey..." Rusty called me.He turned from behind me and faced me. His eyes showed deep concern as they glistened."Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked carefully.I bit
After This Night Chapter 148 - Invitation
When I exited, I used the service elevator as Paula said he was waiting in the parking lot. As I arrived, I immediately spotted him. He was standing, facing his car, talking on his phone. I could hear his voice clearly."I don't want to force her. I'm not expecting anything, but if she agrees to this, then okay. I'll be happy. It's for her too," he said to the person on the other end.Who was he talking to, and what were they discussing?I remained standing behind him. He was too focused on his conversation, probably not sensing my presence."I hope she agrees. I've been wanting to ask her about this since last week. I'm just looking for the right time—idiot, Ru! Fool! That's why you still don't have a girlfriend because you're a shy son of a bitch!" he exclaimed to his friend, Ruru.I couldn't help but burst into laughter at that. After a while, he ended the call and slowly turned to face me. I could clearly see how his soul briefly left him in shock when he saw me."Celeste! You sta
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I hugged Ariah, and I almost teared up. "Very good, baby! I'm so proud of you. Whatever the result of your exam, mommy will always be proud of you, always remember that, okay?""I love you, mommy. I'm happy that you're back," she whispered to me, causing me to pause."Because of that, we're going to have a little outing! Right, mommy?" Rusty cheered again, so I looked at him."Am I already your child, and is that how you address me?" I teased him.He just smirked and approached Ariah. "Don't mind your grumpy mommy. Where do you want to go?"I returned to my desk to organize my things while still hearing their conversation."Alright. Mall it is. What my little unicorn wants, my little unicorn gets," Rusty said playfully to my daughter, and I glanced at him.He stood up from kneeling and looked at me. I smiled at him and mouthed thank you. He just approached me and hugged me tightly, including Ariah."I love you both. A lot," he whispered.It was already late when we arrived at the mall
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When he finished, he headed straight to me and sat down beside me."Your voice is amazing! You could be a dancer now!" Kim shouted at him, and everyone cheered.I just stared at him, amused by his participation in the banter."That's my hidden talent," he said."I wish you had hidden it instead," Oliver joked, and they all laughed again.When their banter subsided, he finally turned his gaze to me. I gave him a restrained smile, unable to explain my emotions.All I knew was, he is too good for me, and I am too bad for him."You were amazing," I whispered in a low voice, taking a sip of the beer in my hand before grabbing another. "I need to go to the bathroom," I excused myself when I felt a wave of nausea due to excessive nervousness.I heard Rusty calling out to me, but I ignored him. I went straight to the bathroom and threw up repeatedly, followed by another round of silent sobbing.I didn't know the reason. I didn't know why. I just wanted to cry because it felt like my heart was
After This Night Chapter 145 - In Any Ways
I couldn't control my emotions when I briefly saw her behind the large doors of the church. I gasped as I witnessed how beautiful she looked in her wedding gown. Happiness radiated from her eyes as she slowly marched towards the front. Toward Noah."Gods. It makes me want to get married too," I heard Aurora whisper, so I nudged her."Then accept Oliver's proposal already," I said, redirecting my attention to Kim."Okay, later," she replied, and we both laughed.When Kim reached our seats, she began to cry, and we couldn't help but cry along with her. She couldn't even continue walking, so Noah quickly came to escort her down the aisle, and everyone applauded.Throughout the ceremony, I just gazed at Him. I couldn't help but silently pray. I hoped that everything would be okay after this. That I could fully accept what happened between Arik and me.It was so hard. Starting over was so difficult, but every time I remembered how Ariah begged me while crying, my heart shattered. I always
After This Night Chapter 144 - Without Me
"Are you okay, Celeste?" he asked me gently, about to approach me, so I spoke up immediately."Don't you dare," I sternly replied, looking him in the eyes.Pain flashed in his eyes, intensifying my emotions. Is this real? Is he playing with me?"I just want to check on you...""Leave."My anger was barely contained, and I averted my gaze from him."I don't want to see you again. Leave, and don't show yourself to me again."It seemed like my heart wanted to take back those words, so I quickly closed my mouth and glanced at Rusty. He was just looking at me, concern evident in his eyes."Celeste-""What the hell are you doing here, moron?"I swiftly turned at the speaker, and that's when I saw Dad and Mom entering. Benjamin was behind them, marching towards me.I saw Arik glance at Dad. I suddenly felt afraid for him, but I couldn't do anything anymore. Why did he even come?"Mr. Fuentebella, I'm just here to check on Celeste—""And why? Can't you see that she's not okay? And what's next
After This Night Chapter 143 - Her Plea
Life is so mercilessly relentless, and that's what makes grieving hard. The world keeps on spinning, and after every sleepless night, the sun still rises.Even when you want to die, there are people who will persistently try to save you from the death you've long desired.I stared blankly at the ceiling in the room where I found myself, slowly recalling the memories of what I did before losing consciousness. What am I doing here again? Why am I still here?I slowly roamed my eyes throughout the entire room, and there, I saw the bandage wrapped around my pulse. There were traces of blood. What happened?Who fucking saved me?"Celeste..."I turned slowly to the one calling my name, and Aurora quickly appeared before me. I suddenly remembered that she was the last person I saw, and her loud scream was the last thing I heard.She saved me. She wanted me to live, so she rescued me. Why?"How are you? Is there still pain?" She asked me, trying to calm herself, but I could clearly see the th
