The sterile smell of disinfectant washed over Nora as she pushed through the automatic doors of the hospital, Sebastian's mother's distraught voice still echoing in her ears. Each heartbeat thrummed a frantic rhythm against her ribs, an unwelcome counterpoint to the muffled beeps and chimes within.The hallway, once a sterile conduit to healing, now stretched before her like a tunnel of dread. Neon signs cast an eerie glow on pale walls, every passing nurse a spectral reminder of the fragility of life. Her feet, leaden with unspoken fears, led her to the room number etched into her memory. She charged to the ICU Sebastian had been admitted but his bed was occupied by someone else. Panic clawed at Nora's throat as she reached the designated ICU room. Its emptiness slammed into her with the force of a train. Where was Sebastian? Where was his bed, the sterile wires snaking around his still form, the rhythmic beep of the monitor offering a fragile heartbeat of hope? Nora broke into a s
Nora poured out her heart to her friend, every word laden with the weight of her emotions. "I had to spill everything when he showed up, demanding a place in his daughter's life. I couldn't allow it, not when I knew Sebastian is Graycen's father," Nora confessed, her voice tinged with a mixture of guilt and desperation, while Veronica, sensing the intensity, encouraged her to continue."He handled it surprisingly well," Nora continued, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief and vulnerability. "I was genuinely taken aback. I thought he had changed. While I was grappling with the Greg situation that blew up in my face and made me trending topic, Sebastian resurfaced. You know I've been dodging him for years," she admitted, her words reflecting the years of avoidance."Yeah, and I have told you countless times to hear him out," Veronica reminded her, a touch of frustration in her voice.Nora nodded, a heavy sigh escaping her. "You did, but I was ashamed. I couldn't face him, especially kno
Nora Johnson had always been the quiet, artistic soul, lost in the world of sketchpads and dreams. This summer, those dreams took an unexpected turn at Meadowridge Lake's youth camp.The sun-drenched days were spent beneath the azure sky, the air filled with the laughter of teenagers and the scent of adventure. Meadowridge Lake camp had a magic of its own, and little did Nora know, it was about to sprinkle a bit of that magic into her life.It all began when Veronica, her vivacious friend, spotted Nora stealing glances at a certain someone across the campfire. Alexander Steele, the enigmatic and undoubtedly attractive boy who seemed to carry an air of mischief about him."He looks good to look at, but he, Alexander, can be a royal jerk," Veronica warned, nudging Nora playfully.Nora just smiled, dismissing Veronica's cautionary words. What harm could a summer crush do, after all?True to Veronica's prediction, Vivian, Veronica's twin sister, decided to give Nora the full scoop on Alex
Nora hurriedly went to the adjoining room to grab diapers and wipes. In those few moments, the course of their lives took a tragic turn. When she returned, her heart sank at the sight before her – Saint was choking.Panic gripped the room, and they rushed the baby to the nearest medical facility. The air was thick with fear and desperation. Nora clutched the baby in her trembling hands, unable to comprehend the nightmare unfolding. She was gone for only a few seconds, everything looked like a dream. The medical staff, usually so composed, now moved with urgency. The emergency room door swung open, and they took Saint from Nora's arms. Nora followed them still in shock, her mind couldn't comprehend what was going on. "wait here Ma'am", a nurse said and Nora stopped in her tracks. Time seemed to stand still as the medical team worked frantically, trying to save the precious life hanging in the balance.The waiting room felt like a vacuum of despair, where each second stretched into an
Nora strained to make eye contact with Veronica, attempting to convey urgency through her gaze, but Veronica seemed oblivious to the silent plea. "Come on in," Alexander insisted, and Veronica, unaware of the danger that lurked within, entered the house. As soon as Veronica shut the door behind her, the atmosphere in the room shifted.Alexander, swift and decisive, revealed the gun, his voice a low, menacing growl, "Sit your pregnant self down there." Nora's heart pounded, and Veronica gasped, her eyes widening in shock. "What is going on here?" Veronica asked, her voice trembling, as she nervously took a seat beside Nora's anxious parents. The tension in the room thickened, the unspoken threat hanging in the air, creating an unsettling silence broken only by the muffled sounds of the outside world."You see, Veronica, I was about to rid the world of this woman. She killed my son and cheated on me," Alexander declared, resuming the menacing position of pointing the gun at Nora's templ
Nora's agitation echoed through the room, her pacing a reflection of the turmoil within. Greg, realizing the depth of his misstep, remained silent, acutely aware that words could only deepen the rift."You mean you gave my daughter a cellphone without talking to me first?" Nora said she couldn't believe Graycen had started keeping secrets from her. She continued her restless pacing, each step punctuating her growing annoyance. "It is the audacity for me," she muttered, more to herself than to Greg.Greg attempted to explain, "I only did that because she had been crying to her teacher that she wanted to see me."Nora halted abruptly, turning to face him with a mix of incredulity and anger. "How come her teacher didn't tell me she'd rather call you, as her father or what?" Her eyes bore into Greg, demanding an explanation, Greg knew better than to speak. The room, once a haven from external turmoil, now reverberated with the tension between them. Nora's frustration hung heavy, an unspo
"Before you say anything, know that I have already spoken to the paediatrician, so choose your words carefully," Alexander warned, his voice cutting through the tense air. His mother, recognizing the gravity of the situation, held her ground but couldn't mask the fear in her eyes."That child has been dead for years, Alexander, put the gun away!" Alexander's father, typically composed, demanded, shocked at the unfolding scene. "You have gotten so trigger-happy of late. How could you shoot your best friend? I was able to get you out on bail, but you know the state will charge you to court. So go and prepare for the court proceedings. " Alexander's response was a dry, humourless laugh. "So you've heard. I will handle the case, and don't change the subject. I came here for answers. If I could shoot Sebastian for touching what is mine, then imagine what I would do for Saint," he said, his eyes cold and determined, the pistol aimed squarely at his mother."The girl was a gold digger from
Nora hurried through the antiseptic-scented corridors of the hospital, her steps echoing the urgency of her mission. She had to find Sebastian, Alexander's friend, the only person who might understand the gravity of the situation.As she approached Sebastian's room, she saw him sitting by the window, lost in thought. His eyes, once lively, carried the shadows of concern. "Sebastian," she called softly, not wanting to startle him.He turned, and his face lit up with a mixture of surprise and relief. "Nora, what brings you here?" he asked, concern etched across his features."I need to talk to you. It's about Alexander," Nora replied, taking a seat beside him.Sebastian's expression shifted to one of deep concern. "What happened? Is he okay?""He came to my house yesterday with a gun," Nora revealed, her voice quivering with the weight of the truth. "If the police hadn't arrived when they did, I don't know what would have happened to me and my family."Sebastian's eyes widened, and shoc