LOGINShare
Chapter 132 - Tough & Rigid
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
After This Night Chapter 133 - Give Up on Him
The next day, after taking care of Ariah and Arik, I headed straight to the office. While I wish I could be with Arik 24/7 and take care of him, his demeanor is changing slowly. He doesn't want people around him. He stays in his room all day.It's something I fear.As much as I try to ignore his illness, I can't. I see its effects on us, especially on Ariah. She's becoming afraid to approach her father. I feel like it's not just Arik who's slowly slipping away from us; even the family we've built is starting to crumble."Good morning, Ma'am Celeste. Someone is waiting for you in your office," Pau greeted me in the hallway."Huh? Do I have a meeting today?""No, but she said she knows you."I hurriedly went to the office to see who it was. I had no one in mind. Who could it be?As soon as I entered, I saw a woman with her back turned to me. She was standing, gazing out of the French window with a view of the entire city. I stared at her. I don't know her. I can't recognize her.Usually
After This Night Chapter 134 - Threat
I wonder how Arik would react if he were lucid right now. Rusty is extremely concerned just by the idea of me talking to Esmeralda, how much more Arik?After watching, Arik suddenly went up to our room. I quickly bid farewell to Aurora and hurriedly went upstairs.I found Arik on the terrace. It's almost 8 pm. Ariah has been sound asleep since earlier; she's exhausted from her PE class. Her demeanor remains the same when her father is around—distant and seemingly afraid.I wanted to do something about it, but then I realized, like me, my daughter might need her own time.I approached Arik quietly. He didn't even look at me, which he used to do whenever he felt my presence. If there were miracles in people's lives, I'd wish for one to happen to us."Hey, are you alright?" I asked him, even though I knew he wouldn't answer me."I guess you heard me talking about your aunt. I'm sorry, Arik. I know I disrespected her, but I just can't take her words. I can't accept the hurtful things she
After This Night Chapter 135 - Lucid
"Calm down, Mom. She just talked to me about Arik. About returning the company to him. That's it. Why does everyone act like you're afraid of her?" I couldn't help but ask.Her gaze hardened, and she shook her head."Who said I'm scared of that evil witch? I just don't want that woman meddling with you. You don't know how she thinks, Celeste, so you better steer clear. What did she say to you?""She just gave me a condition regarding Arik's condition. She wanted me to give up on him. Of course, I won't do that. I told her to leave us alone because she might be the one to go first..." My response to Mom was almost automatic, and I found myself staring into nothingness.Maybe that woman is truly a witch, an evil spawn, based on what Aurora said about her involvement in Rusty's sibling's death.Could she be the reason Arik couldn't do anything to save the child back then?Soon after, I heard Mommy's laughter beside me, so I turned to look at her."Oh, Celeste, darling. We didn't make a m
After This Night Chapter 136 - Losing Sanity
"Celeste!" Rusty yelled at me, but I ignored him.I gripped the hem of Arik's t-shirt and sobbed again."I-I'm sorry, Arik. I'll change. I can change that. I was just... I was just too excited and dumbfounded when Faye told me you're lucid now, and this is what I see. I'm sorry, Arik. Please, let's go home. Not like this. I don't... I don't want us to break up. It can't be..." I pleaded and burst into tears.I clutched my chest. I pounded it gently because it felt like darkness was slowly taking me away. My heart ached. Everything in me hurt. This wasn't what I expected to happen."Enough, Celeste. Go home.""N-no, please. Just tell me what I did..." I looked at him again and begged. He just took a forceful breath as if he wasn't really interested in what I was saying."D-did I do something wrong? Don't you love me anymore?"For a moment, fear washed over me after asking that question. But no, I am confident. He still loves me. He loves me so much, so why am I afraid?But his reaction
After This Night Chapter 137 - Not My Arik
My heartbeat slowed down. I breathed heavily. My knees and hands were trembling. I could hear the fragile beats of my heart, like a crystal shattering on the floor."I'm sorry for making this hard for you. I'm sorry for hurting you. I'm so sorry for everything. I'm so sorry..." Arik's voice broke.I shook my head."P-please... Arik, I still love you. I love you so much, but I can't keep loving you. It's too exhausting. It's too draining. I just want things to be okay. Why... why do you have to do this? It hurts so much..." I sobbed continuously as I felt him caressing my hair."I-it's fine," Arik stuttered. "You can stop loving me. It's okay, Celeste. I'm sorry."Then, in just a snap, Arik vanished. He left while I was crying in that room. I ended up sitting on the floor, sobbing silently. I had no strength left to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart.I glanced at my daughter, peacefully sleeping. I couldn't help but cry again silently as I watched her, filled with worry and pain
After This Night Chapter 138 - Why Do You Hate Me?
"You know what, Celeste? Why don't you try to live your life without bothering me? I'm tired. Can we just end everything like it didn't happen anymore?" He said it with casual indifference.Once again, my heart sank. I anticipated these painful words, yet I still couldn't bear them."What?" I mumbled.Suddenly, his eyes flared with intense hatred and disgust as he looked at me. I couldn't fathom where it came from. The way he stared made me question, made me doubt if he ever truly loved me. It felt like a tree rooted in loathing."You're making this hard for me, you know that? Why can't you just let me go easily? Why are you still insisting on everything? I told you, I don't want this anymore! I don't want to be with you! I don't want to see or talk to you anymore! You're making it difficult for me, Celeste!" he roared angrily.I blinked rapidly, dumbfounded, unable to speak immediately. It was the first time he raised his voice at me. He used to be so careful with his words, even whe
After This Night Chapter 139 - Leftover
I fell headfirst into a reckless love. A love that beat so loudly I knew I would go deaf, but I didn't mind because it was the only sound I wanted to hear.A love without half spoken promises and empty words. I fell into a blazing love, a brave love. A love that burned with certainty, without fear of what tomorrow might bring.Arik was the best thing that ever happened to me. He transformed my chaos and pain into something beautiful, a memory I can cherish whenever I want. He shifted my worries into a better mood and thawed my stone-cold heart into a tender romance.I was in turmoil when he found me, yet he didn't hesitate to stand by me, enduring the flames alongside.But now, it feels like he left me alone amidst his relentless fire, his fierce blaze.I watched my daughter sitting on the living room carpet, engrossed in painting. It was her passion, discovered at the tender age of three, and she continued to pursue it.Does she understand what's happening between her father and me?
After This Night Chapter 140 - Burden Me
Rusty scoffed beside me, so I looked at him. He was a bit furious, but he still had a smirk on his face."Dude, come on. I know you're hurting, but do I really need to remind you how you tossed Celeste aside like trash? If you think I picked her up, hell no. She picked herself up and is now trying to live her life. Leave us alone, crazy fucker," Rusty retorted with a laugh, dropping my jaw.The tension between the two was palpable. Rue and Bien seemed alert to what might happen."What did you say?" Arik threatened.I quickly pulled Rusty by the arm, making him look at me. I winked at him and turned to Rue and Bien."I'm so sorry, Rue, Bien. We're leaving. Congratulations to both of you," I said, taking Rusty's hand and pulling him away.I glanced back at Arik, who was staring at the hand Rusty was holding. He's out of his mind.As we exited the venue, Rusty still didn't let go of my hand. I peeked at his face. It was shadowed, irritation evident."Hey, are you alright? You seem to be
Latest chapter
After This Night The End
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
After This Night Chapter 147 - Close to You
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
After This Night Chapter 146 - Take a Chance on Me
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
