Damien froze at first but soon it dissolved and he let out a manic laugh, pleasure thrilling his body. He was enjoying this, way too much. This was the perfect way to mess with Gerald. The both of them. He loved the helpless looks on their faces, their pained whimpers. Damien hadn't realized how much of a sadist he was until today. He waited till Gerald was a bit calm before speaking up. " I hear you but I won't stop. Instead, why don't I turn it up a little?" He suggested, the evil glint back in his eyes again. He watched Gerald's eye grow wide. Gerald glared at him with all the hatred he could muster even as terror gripped him. " I told you to stop. If there's anyone you should be hurting, it should be me. Leave Serena out of this!" He threw at him, his voice angry and terrified. All his pleas and threats seemed to fall on deaf ears and Damien reached for Serena, ripping her clothes off. Serena's scream resounded in the dark room and Gerald instinctivel
( Three days later) Gerald sat beside Serena, watching as she slept, her face relaxed. Occasionally she shuddered, her hands moving but her eyes remained close. He was waiting for her to wake up, there were lots of things he wanted to say to her. The past few days had been hell. His fists clenched at the memory, his eyes closing shut. They didn't go away, instead they clawed at him, driving him crazy. When he opened his eyes, they were much darker. He already had Damien and Scarlett arrested and they'll be facing their judgement soon. After Serena fainted three days ago, he'd rushed her to the hospital. He found out she'd gone into shock and had been severely dehydrated. It only got worse. She been slipping in and out of consciousness since then. When she was awake, shed push him away, screaming that she did want to see him before passing out. And when she was asleep, she was plagued with nightmares, her subconscious replaying those horrible moments, causing her
( Two years later: Miles away from the capital. Araith.) " I'm almost done!" Serena called out to the old lady standing at the porch of her house, straining to see if she had finished spreading out her clothes. She had offered to help her wash when she saw her washing in front of her house since they were neighbors. Pouring the soapy water away, she placed the basin in a dry spot. she walked towards the lady, a contented look on her face.. " Thank you so much, love. " She said, her voice filled with gratitude. Serena smiled back, shrugging it off. " It's nothing. It's normal for me to help you Clara. You've done so much for me." Serena said, smiling. The older lady held her hands, squeezing them gently and pulling her closer. " Still, you're doing so much for me." Her eyes misted. " Oh, why don't you come in and have some biscuits? I baked some yesterday." Clara offered, gesturing inside. " I would but I still have things to do. Maybe later in the aft
True to her word, Serena visited in the afternoon. The two women began discussing about everything that was important to them, from the latest gossip that was circulating around town, to the increasing costs of cotton. Clara told her that she wanted to get new linens so she could make new curtains for the approaching weather since it's going to be wet. Serena offered to help her buy it. She had refused adamantly. " No...." She said, shaking her head.. " I can go by myself. No more help from you, young lady." Serena chuckled at the woman's stubbornness. A warm smile on her face, she held her hands. " But I'm also going to get embroidery materials Clara. I can just help you choose the linens you would need. Besides, you need the help I'm offering. Your son isn't around to lend a hand. Let me do it for you." she coaxed the older lady, giving her puppy eyes. Clara sighed, a forlorn look on her face. " I feel like I'm just giving you more work." " It's not wo
Gerald arrived at the Count's house wherever was welcomed by the family. A few introductions and they settled to work. It was a huge deal Gerald was trying to finalize which would be of great benefit to both parties so they needed a quite a bit of time to negotiate and finalize. While he was there, Gerald tried to get the much needed rest. The pace of life in Araith was a lot more slower than it was back home and being a countryside, it came with it's charms. Gerald found himself slowly unwinding. One day, he was out on a walk in the Mansion garden. Returning back to the house, he found the Count's wife discussing with a lady. Not wanting to disturb them, he continued to his room until he heard thier voices. He froze, his heart skipping a beat. He listened to the their conversations then. They were talking about the new embroidered clothes that she delivered. Clenching his fists, he hurried back to them , his heart racing. He stopped at the door, fixing his eyes on the stranger. I
(Two days later) " Are you okay, darling?" Clara asked when she saw the pensive look on Serena's face. Serena glanced at the older woman, raising a brow. What she said seemed to sink in and she shifted in her seat. She tried to smile but it didn't quite come out right. " Of course I'm fine. Why wouldn't be?" She said, trying to sound cheerful. Disgusted with her act, she let out a sigh, her shoulders dropping. Clara shrugged, still watching her. " Well, because you've been looking over your shoulders for the past few hours, not to mention the terrified look on your face. Is something wrong?" She asked and Serena shook her head, concentrating on her fingers. Clara allowed herself to think of the worst. " Is it because of me? Did you have a dream that I was going to die?" Serena jumped on her seat, startled. " No!...no!. Of course not!!" She sounded alarmed. Clara chuckled at her reaction, a smile on her face. " That shook you didn't it?" Serena br
Heeding Clara's words, Serena decided to look for Gerald and talk to him, she needed to confirm everything she was feeling. She didn't need to search for him at all. He was at her house the next day, very early in the morning. The moment she opened the door, he wedged himself between it to prevent her from shutting him out like she did last time. She sighed, opening the door wider. " Come inside." She muttered to his surprise. Stepping aside, she gestured for him to come in. He hesitated a bit but walked in, his huge frame filling the small room. Serena closed the door behind him, taking in a deep breath. She turned towards him. " Have a seat." She spoke up and Gerald turned towards her." Would you like anything?" She offered, already walking towards the kitchen. " No.... But thanks." He said, She nodded, glancing at the floor. Once again she gestured to the chairs. After a moment's hesitation, he went to sit down. Serena joined him, sitting op
If Serena had thought that her last meeting with Gerald would be the last time she would see him, she thought wrong. For the next few days after that day, she would find Gerald at all the strangest places. At first, she thought he was following her but he refuted that thought, saying they've just been bumping into each other frequently. No matter how genuine that reason sounded, she didn't believe it. She didn't let it wear her out, focusing on her work and doing the things she used to do. One thing she was grateful for, his presence no longer affected her the way it would have been. And Gerald was behaving himself. At least, she thought he was. After months of waiting, Clara's son, Noah, finally arrived home. She was there in their house to welcome him. Clara was visibly excited to see him and he pulled her into a hug once he jumped down from the carriage. He noticed Serena standing by the side and he immediately pulled away, bowing his head in greeting, his che
(Six months later) Serena stood outside the church doors, staring longingly at it, a smile on her face. It had been there all morning and though she knew her cheeks were probably hurting from when it faded, she knew it won't be happening anytime soon. This is the happiest day of her life. Beside her was Clara, whose arms was intertwined with her, a smile on her face as well but it was more gentle. She reached up to pull the veil over her face, shielding her vision. " Nervous?" Clara asked. Serena nodded, unable to help herself. Yes, she was nervous but she was also giddy with excitement. " Don't be." Clara whispered, going on to hold her hands. The chorus soon came and it was time to walk into the church. Serena took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She let Clara pull her along and she followed, falling into steps with her. They soon entered the chapel and everyone eyes turned on them. Serena's hands gripped Clara's hands tightly even as her gaze settled on Gerald, who wa
The past few seconds was the most horrifying seconds of his life as Gerald stood in the room, watching as they tried to resuscitate Serena. He'd broken into the room at the sounds of their yells, disregarding everyone that tried to hold him back. It felt like a nightmare. A terrible nightmare. One that made his blood run cold and terror climb up his spine. He stood there, his eyes fixed on a pale-skined Serena, the same words repeating in his head, over and over again. Don't let it be! Please, don't let it be!! A long time passed before the mid-wife came with the reply that she was conscious again. But he still stood there frozen, imagining the worst. His eyes blurred with tears and body trembling. When the words finally sank in, he turned to the mid-wife who flinched on seeing the expression on his face. He glanced at Serena who eyes opened tiredly, color returning back to her cheeks. He ignored whatever the mid-wife was saying, marching up to Serena. Her dazed ey
The second Gerald walked into the mid-wife home, he immediately began asking for Serena, his eyes searching frantically for her. The women in the room restricted him from going further and kept telling him to him go back. Their noises and arguments forced the mid- wife out of the room she was in, wondering what was causing the commotion. She paused when she saw the strangers in the room. Clara saw the woman and immediately rushed to her, asking for Serena's health. " Not good," The woman told her and Clara's hands flwe to her mouth, stifling a gasp. " She's having complications wen we've just discovered the baby might be a breech baby. " She told Clara and watched at the color drain from her face, blanketed with horror. Gerald was there and he heard what they said. Shock was his first reaction and he stiffened all over. When the meaning of the words finally sank in, he turned to the mid-wife, rage in his eyes. " You will let me see Serena, right now." He growled, his voice calm and
Gerald finally arrived at Araith, he watched as the trees whizzed by, his heart light and racing in excitement for the first time in months. He was going to see Serena again, the knowledge wouldn't stop replaying in his head over again, his lips curled into a smile. He didn't try to brush it off. He intentionally didn't write when he'll be coming in his recent letters because he meant it to be a surprise. He imagined what kind of look she would have on his face and his smile only grew wider. He probably looks stupid now. He was already free from the responsibilities of being a Duke and now a regular person with a way too much money. That didn't matter now, all that mattered was seeing Serena again. Slightly impatient, he watched as the carriage rode till it got to her house. He sat up straight, It was so small, a huge contrast to the cold mansion he'd been living in. But he was the happiest here. Getting down from the carriage, he paid the driver his fees. The driver bo
Gerald received the letter Serena sent him. A smile was on his face as he read through it, though he was partly confused on what surprise she had back home. He tried guessing but since his guesses would be wrong, he gave up on it. Of all the guesses he made, not once did he have the thought that she could be pregnant. While he worked that day, he had a smile on his face. He decided later on, he'll be sending her a letter.... Serena decided to tell Clara the good news. And just like she expected, the older woman was happy for her. They screamed and hugged feeling so happy for Serena. Eventually they settled down to talk more about it. " He really did it?! Oh my, i still can't believe it!" Clara said, still smiling. " Well, he did. He wrote that he'll be coming soon. Though, it might be in a few months." Serena replied, her eyes smiling. " I'm sure you can't wait to see him." Clara teased and watched as Serena blushed. " He's not coming immediatel
(Four months later) Months went by and Serena never told Gerald about her pregnancy. Though she receives his letters and occasionally writes back to him, she hasn't found the courage to write that she's with a child. That, more than anything made her worried. The questions wouldn't stop running around her head. What if he stops caring? Or he hates her for it? She couldn't bear the thought. On the flip side, as the baby grew inside her, she found herself loving it. Her worry and initial fear for being pregnant had dissolved to reveal the joy that was contact on her face. Occasionally she got stares and murmurs from people around her for being pregnant and not having a husband nearby. She didn't let those words get to her as she focused on herself and the baby. She couldn't wait to have the baby in her arms and hoped to God that gerald would e happy about it. One day, Clara asked if she had already told Gerald about the pregnancy. Serena faltered, hesitating a bit. She glanced at Clar
She's pregnant, the words were a little too hard to believe. The doctor already confirmed it. She could still remember the shock she felt when he told her how far long she had gone. She's six weeks pregnant. Sinking to the ground, Serena wrapped her hands around herself, feeling cold all of a sudden. It was still so hard to believe. She bit her lips, the fear and dread threatening to cosume her. It made her unable to feel the happiness that came with such news. " There's nothing wrong with being pregnant. You're going to be fine." Serena whispered to herself, trying to sound positive. Instead, her throat closed up and she began crying instead. Any elation she has in her heart had died with this information. Now, she was just scared. Scared out of her mind. She didn't know if this was good news or not. She didn't know if she should tell Gerald or keep it to herself. She knew she couldn't, they were all going to find out sooner or later. The unknown was threatening to drive her crazy.
( Six weeks later) Serena has been feeling tired a lot lately. When the symptoms showed up four weeks ago, she blamed it on lovesickness. Well now, she couldn't ignore it. Still, she tried to work like before, ignoring the way her body protests all the time. Part of what made her push through was the letters she receives from Gerald on a weekly basis. They never hesitated to put a smile on her face and she found herself anticipating his return. Today, she had visited Clara to spend some time with her. She found it hard to concentrate in their conversations as she kept stifling yawns and zoning out. Clara eventually noticed and decided to ask her about it. " Dear, are you okay? This is the third time you'll be yawning in the past minute." She called out gently, genuinely worried. Serena glanced at her, a small smile on her face. But her eyes look tired. " Yes, I'm fine Clara. Just a little tired." She sighed, looking away. Another yawn came and this time s
" I'll do it." Gerald finally said with a note of finality. Serena turned to him, startled. " What?" She asked, confused. He looked at her, his face serious." Then, I'll do it. I'll give up my title and come stay here with you." He answered. Serena was about to burst out laughing until she heard the seriousness in his voice. Her smile dried up immediately. " You ARE serious." She muttered, staring at him. Slowly, she sat up on the bed. " This is not a joke, right? I would be really angry with you if this is a joke." She said, her voice also serious. " I've never been more serious with anything in my entire life." He replied. Serena's heart skipped a beat as she stared at him. Her brain was reeling and she found it hard to understand what he was saying. " But... How are you going to do that?" She asked, still trying to wrap her head around it. Gerald's lip twitched then. He leaned close, kissing her forehead. " That's for me to worry abou