chapter 3

Present Day

< Miley POV>

I awoke in a hospital room, a man seated before me the same man that had picked me up from the alleyway.

" How do you feel?" his voice was Kind, yet I couldn't even respond to his question before I had to sit up and vomit.

He patted my back while calling for the doctors.

" considering her situation, we can say she's progressing quite well. However, in her condition, both her physical and mental state are quite poor." I don't grasp what the doctor is talking about; I don't feel any different than a few moments ago.

" what do you suggest, doctor? surely something can be done." I don't understand why this person cares so much for me; he doesn't even know me.

" My advice is an abortion. that way the young lady might survive. otherwise both she and her baby risk dying."

" what did he just say? I'm pregnant? but it was only a few hours ago when..." I felt a pat on my shoulder.

" It's been almost a month since I found you in the alley, and you are almost a month pregnant. it's tough for a woman without a husband or any form of support to withstand a pregnancy, but the choice is yours, do you want to abort?" All I could do was burst into tears as the man embraced me, listening without a word.

I hadn't wanted any of this; I'm sure I didn't deserve it. they took everything from me, my dreams, ambitions, my will to live. what point was there in continuing this wretched life? there was nothing left for me.

And now it's my decision to make another life? Why is life so cruel to me? what did do to deserve this?

" if you choose to live and abort, you have my support, and these doctors will ensure that you lead a trouble-free life. if you decide to keep it, I'll find the best specialists to ensure no harm comes to you both."

" Who are you? What do you want from me?".

" I want nothing more than for you to be able to live."

" you're right, I'll be frank. I'm doing this because it's what I couldn't do for my own daughter. like you, she was a young lady who lost her husband and died of grief without me being able to do anything. it's been four years, and I still can't get over it. you remind me very much of her.

"I'm just reopening the same wounds in your heart. I can't be saved."

" You're wrong. Everyone can be saved. you have something my daughter did not."

" And what's that?"

" A reason to live. Do I truly have one? And if so what? Should I feel happy expecting the child of a bastard who raped me and left me to die?".

" Think about it. perhaps life isn't taking everything from you. But Tell me, what do you think?"

" Miley, my name is Miley." I whispered

" It's a pleasure, Miley. I'm Jasper Hales." that name rings a bell but I can't remember where from.

"You don't have to answer now. Take some time to think about it." Mr Jasper assured me

" No, I have made my decision, but I have to ask you for a favor."

"whatever you need." Mr.Jasper said looking at me intently

" Help me, get far away from here, I promise that..."

"You don't need to promise anything. I told you, just living is reward enough." Jasper said while looking at with me all the care In the world as she patted my hair

" Thank you."

"I will the doctor."

...

Several years later

Miley sat reviewing documents on her laptop, her life having taken a turn for the better. Now named Miley Hales, Jasper had no issues giving her his surname, treating her just like his two other children, who also cherished her as a sister.

Every so often, Miley would glance away from her work and smile at a pair of beautiful children with black hair and gray eyes playing in the playground Jasper had set up in his garden for them.

The lovely little girl approached, bearing a rose for her mother.

" Mummy, take this." It was a custom of little Kiara's every day to gift her mother three roses, one for each surprise of the day, her way of saying thanks.

" Thank you, my princess. I have a gift for you too."

" what is it today, Mummy?" Each day she had a sweet surprise for her little ones, knowing how much they loved them. she would wrap the treats herself, saving them to give later.

Her daughter's smile upon receiving the gift filled her heart with joy.

“And you, Jaden, do you have something for me?”

Her son had been observing quietly. Unlike Kiara, Jaden was more reserved—serious in demeanor, though deeply protective and indulgent with his sister. He was the one who cut a rose for her every day, making sure Kiara never got hurt.

“Nothing,” Jaden said flatly.

“Not even a hug?” Miley teased her little one.

“Only one.” He gave his mother a firm embrace, which she happily returned.

“One more.”

“You always say that,” he protested, though he still leaned in and gave her another hug.

“I want one too!” Kiara suddenly blurted.

“Come here, my dear.” Miley gathered both her babies in her arms, holding them close.

“May I join as well?”

“Uncle Aiden!” Kiara squealed, running straight into his arms.

Aiden crouched to catch her, then looked over at Jaden. “Aren’t you going to greet me, Jaden?”

The boy hesitated, glancing at his mother. Only after Miley gave him a small nod did he step forward to greet his uncle.

“How big you’ve grown!” Aiden ruffled the boy’s hair with a smile. “Go on now, play with your sister. I need to talk to your mummy.”

Before leaving, Jaden paused. “Why hasn’t Grandpa come?”

The two adults exchanged a heavy look.

“Your grandfather Jasper is busy,” Miley said softly. “But he’ll surely come.”

The children ran off, leaving the air heavy with silence.

“Your return isn’t a good sign,” Miley whispered, turning to her brother. “Is Dad’s situation serious?”

Aiden’s eyes softened with grief. “Miley… Dad passed away this morning.”

Her world stopped. “That can’t be true! He said he was fine, just tired… Why so sudden?”

“Calm down,” Aiden urged gently. “I know it’s hard, but the kids are here. You must be strong for them.”

She pressed a trembling hand to her chest. He was right, but it was unbearable. That man had been more than a father to her, he had supported and cared for her like no one else ever had. How could she accept he was gone?

“When is the funeral?” she asked, her voice breaking.

“Tomorrow. Breaking the news to Kiara and Jaden will be hard, so I’ll be here for you.”

“Thank you… We’ll leave today. I want to attend the wake as well.”

“As you wish. Nathan is handling everything.”

Revealing the truth to her children was the hardest thing she’d ever faced. How could they possibly understand death?

“So… Grandpa’s not coming back?” Jaden asked quietly.

Miley forced herself to meet his gaze. “No, sweetheart. He can’t come back to us.”

“But he promised he would,” Kiara said tearfully. “And you said promises should never be broken!”

Aiden knelt down, his voice soft but firm. “Sometimes, circumstances force us to break promises. But I assure you that your grandfather will always be with you, here.” He touched his chest.

The next day, seeing Jasper in his casket broke Miley’s heart. Only days ago, he had been laughing with her and the children. She had thought she would have many more years with him. If only she had known time was short.

Approaching his still body, she kissed his forehead. “I know I didn’t say it enough, but thank you… Thank you for giving me hope and a home when I had lost the will to live. You were, and will always be, my angel. Thank you, Dad.”

“Mummy, why doesn’t Grandpa get up?” Kiara asked innocently, tugging her sleeve. “Isn’t he tired? You said too much sleep isn’t good.”

“He can’t get up, my love,” Miley whispered.

“Why not? Is he sick?”

Jaden spoke with grim certainty. “He’s dead, right, Mummy?”

Her son’s blunt words left her shaken.

“What does it mean to be dead, Mummy?” Kiara asked softly.

“It means he’s gone to heaven, princess.”

“Can we go see him?”

“We can’t, can we, Mummy?” Jaden added.

“No, son,” she said gently, tears burning her eyes.

“I didn’t want Grandpa to leave,” Kiara cried. “I loved him so much.”

“We all did,” Miley said, pulling them close. “But sometimes… it’s unavoidable.”

Aiden placed a hand on her shoulder. “Miley, come. Mr. Pierce and his two sons are here to offer condolences. Nathan is with them now.”

Miley lifted her head and froze. Across the room, she spotted Logan speaking with her brother—her former father-in-law, flanked by his two sons. Panic seized her. Quickly, she gathered her children and stood.

“Where are you going?” Aiden asked.

“I’m sorry… I’m not feeling well" I can’t let that man see me or my children.

She hurried to her room, grateful that those people did not attend the funeral the next day. She wanted nothing to do with them. Jasper had always shielded her from those dealings, but now that he was gone, she knew… everything was about to change.