After that day, she didn't try to talk to him. A few days later, they heard the rumour that Cindy Lucas was dropping out for some reason, and after that, they never saw her again. It's not like anyone cared about knowing about Cindy Lucas’ whereabouts. If there was anything, the students were happy that an evil witch like her was dropping out. Unlike other dropouts, no one bothered to make rumours about her. They were just glad to get rid of her. From that day, Sabrina would notice Nathaniel stealing glances at her, but she wouldn't entertain him. It was he who broke their beautiful friendship, and she owed him nothing. If he was without her in his life, she should not bother him either. One day, when Ryan and Sabrina were having lunch while Nicholas was once again gone, Ryan said, “I think he likes you.”Sabrina huffed. “Everyone likes me, Ry.”Ryan said seriously, “I think Nathaniel has feelings for you.”Sabrina gave him a look. “Even if he does have feelings for me, so what? W
Nathaniel said, “If you don't break up with him, I will do something to break you up. It's up to you to choose.” These words were testing her patience. Anger burned inside her and came out as water in her eyes, and she screamed at him, “He loves me! If I break up with him, he will not let me go! I love him, and I won't let him go! Your ideas of fueling venom into our lives are miserable!” “Fair enough. If he doesn't leave you and your relationship stays intact, I will never show you my face,” Nathaniel said while cocking a brow. “But what if he agrees to break up? What if he's waiting for the breakup?” She wished that he could see how much he was always hurting her. She understood that he was fighting with his family on a daily basis, but what did it have to do with her? Why was he torturing her? What had she done to deserve this hate? He was literally wishing her a cursed life. She could not live with Nicholas. She loved him so much that she believed that she would die withou
When Sabrina went home, Nicholas didn't call her but sent an apology message. In two days, prom was going to happen. They didn't call for two days. They didn't exchange any information. However, she was hoping that they would meet on the day of prom. On the day of prom, she got ready to go to school. But she didn't find Nicholas anywhere. She called their familiar friends, and there was no news. She didn't want to ask Nathaniel. Ryan came running to her and asked, “Did you hear that?”He didn't know how to share the news with her. But he knew that he had to tell her. “What?” Sabrina asked. Her heart was beating loudly. The look on his face said that he had terrible news. She was already going through a lot these days and did not have the courage to bear anything anymore. Ryan said with great caution, “Nicholas went to Europe with his father.” He added, “Although I'm happy he is gone from your life, I'm worried about you now. This break-up is going to hurt. Especially with Nicholas
One day, Sabrina left home, leaving her family with just a letter. She didn't know where she was going but she left New York with the money she had saved. The money was not enough for her to survive but it was enough for her to leave the country. Before leaving, she registered in a police station that she was leaving home because of her own will and she was not getting kidnapped. She did so that her father would not file a police complain and try to look for her. Seeing the way the police officer treated her in the police station, with great nonchalance, she realised that it was not the first time a girl came to him with this request. However, it was the start to her era of self discovery and healing. And lord knew how badly she needed healing of all kind. She reached China and from there, she tried to heal herself by joining a monastery but it didn't work out as the lord himself had no wish to give her peace. She had watched a lot of shows where people found peace in religious p
“What do you want?” Sabrina asked him. She was getting frustrated. Now she doesn't even have a house.“Nothing!” he shrugged. He suddenly commented, “You have grown up, Sabrina.”She gave him a dirty look. Did she ask him? He just chuckled. His laugh was attractive. Ugh. She hated him. He probably knew what was going on inside her mind. She did not want him to think that she liked anything about him, even if it was a tiny bit. She hated him. It was as simple as that.She reached her house, and he was walking alongside her. She did not want him around. However, since she was ignoring him once again, he just kept following her. She wanted to tell him not to come with her, but deep inside she was scared to walk home alone. Her house was not in a good neighborhood. Thus, she usually avoided going home late at night. When he was walking alongside her, it gave her a little assurance and security that she would be fine. She didn't want to get mugged again.Daily, they heard stories about gir
Things began getting stressed in Sabrina's life again and he was the only source of joy. And one day, that source of joy was snatched from her. “What's wrong?” Nathaniel asked in worry. Lately, she had been getting sick for a long time. He has been asking her to visit a doctor but she would always decline. He could not see her worried or sick. He could not bear to see her even in a tiny pain. It pierce his heart to even see a crease on her face. Oftentimes, he would do things out of his way to make her feel better. Now that she had been getting sick lately, he wanted to take her to the doctor. How could she ignore her health? He could not see her doing it. Today, he had enough of it. He did not like to force her into doing something. But he could not see her in pain either. If he had to force her into doing something today, he would! He told her, “We are going to the doctor! Now! I don't wanna listen to you! In a week, you lost so much weight. I cannot see you like this.”“Nate!” S
One night, he said, “I know things are hard but we will manage, okay?”“I don't think I can be in a relationship ever in my life.” She said, her eyes blank as she was staring out of the window. This home was once colorful and a sign of happiness but now it was just a place that was keeping her caged. She felt suffocated here. His heart broke hearing it but he just smiled at her as if understanding her. He understood the crisis and wanted to help her. Sadly, there was nothing that could make him happy. Nathaniel said, “No problem. I just want you to be happy.”As her pregnancy proceeded she began hating everything about her. From the way she looked to how she felt, she felt like a corpse. One day, she couldn't bear anything. She broke down in the middle of the road while he was waiting for her at home. She dialed a number and begged for help. Sabrina was crying and begging on the phone, “Bella, please help me! Please come and take me from here. I cannot do anything. I will kill myse
Nicholas had no words to say after hearing Sabrina. All the events that happened in her story were actual, but he didn't know why but that's how she had interpreted them. He didn't blame her for feeling this way because life was not more accessible for any of them, and he had interpreted the events his way too. After all, everyone had the right to interpret life their way. “Was it true that you never loved me?” Sabrina asked, tears streaming down her face. Nicholas whispered, “I'm sorry, Sabrina. When you said we should break up, I was disturbed, but when I went home and thought about it, I realised that you were right. I didn't even give you time. You were never my priority while I was yours. I felt that I had been taking advantage of you all the while. I realised that break up was the best thing for us.”“Why didn't you communicate?” She asked sadly. So many things could have been avoided if they had communicated with each other appropriately. Nicholas began narrating the story f
EpilogueThree Years Later“Dr. Hart?”Abella turned around to see a nurse hurrying toward her.“The patient in the NICU is responding to the medication,” the nurse informed her. “Could you check on her?”Without hesitation, Abella rushed to the NICU, her heart throbbing fast. That morning, the baby girl’s condition had been critical, but now, as she looked into those tiny, bright eyes, she felt a wave of relief.“Hey there, sweetheart,” Abella cooed, smiling warmly. “You’re such a fighter. You fought so hard to be here with your mom and dad.”The baby stared up at her, and Abella’s heart melted.“Yes, you’re such a strong, big girl,” she whispered, gently touching the baby’s hand.Outside the NICU, the parents expressed their gratitude; their tearful smiles reminded Abella why she had chosen this path. In moments like these, she was reminded of how beautiful it was to help save these little angels. But there were also the heartbreaking days, the ones where some angels didn’t make it.
Meanwhile, Kate and Rhys were sitting with Anne.“Why is Aunt suddenly changing colors?” Rhys asked.“Because she knows she was wrong and wants back what she lost,” Kate said matter-of-factly.Anne chuckled. “Kate, as much as I love your straightforward attitude, I’d appreciate it if you toned it down in front of Emery. She is… well, very touchy and fussy.”Kate shrugged. “MIL, I have a complaint. Coco and Sia had a girls’ day without me! Can you imagine? I’m trying to be as cool as them, but they left me out!”Rhys suppressed a chuckle. “Yes, Mom, they left my dear Kate out.”Anne played along. “That’s terrible, I’ll scold them,”“Yes, scold them well,” Kate agreed, then added mischievously, “but don’t tell them I snitched. Just say it was Rhys.”Anne smiled. “Alright, dear.” Then, she glanced at Kate. “I saw you have been spending time with Abella. How’s that going? I know you two weren’t close.”Kate sighed. “Everyone coddles her too much. She is living in disillusionment. Coco and
It was a beautiful day that was filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Anne and Nicholas’s wedding anniversary had brought the entire family together, and the house was buzzing with warmth and joy.Nicholas turned to Anne as his eyes were soft with affection. “We have been together for forty years,” he said, a gentle smile on his lips.Anne smiled back, a touch of nostalgia in her gaze. “Yes, we made it this far.”Leaning in, Nicholas pressed a tender kiss to her lips. “Thank you for giving me the chance to be your husband.”Anne’s voice was barely above a whisper as she responded, “Thank you for fighting for us.”Just then, Leon and Coco appeared out of nowhere while wrapping their arms around their parents in a tight hug. “If anyone deserves the credit, it’s us!” Leon declared with a grin. “We made sure you two ended up together.”Nicholas and Anne exchanged amused glances before nodding. “Yes,” Nicholas agreed, “and we’re very thankful for your scheming. Turns out, it w
“Did you match into your preferred branch of residency?” Madam Facci asked, excitement filling her voice.Abella swallowed. “Ma, I’m still checking the results,” she admitted. “I’m scared.”“You have nothing to be scared of, my dear. Just look,” she heard. With a deep breath, Abella entered her credentials for the residency match. Her eyes darted across the screen as the words appeared before her.“I…” Her voice caught in her throat.“What is it?” Madam Facci asked eagerly.“Pediatrics…” Abella whispered in disbelief.A joyful gasp came from the other end. “Oh my god! I am so happy for you, dear!”Abella’s chest tightened as she read the rest. “With NYU…” she murmured. “If I accept it, I will have to stay in New York.”Was she ready for this?Madam Facci’s voice was warm and reassuring. “Whatever you choose, we are proud of you. You’ve worked hard for this. Don’t overthink it, just enjoy this moment. You did it, Abella. I’m so, so proud of you.”That evening, the entire family gather
Augustus Hart was born a healthy, chubby baby with a bald head, looking absolutely perfect in every way. His arrival was so sudden that only Callum and Estelle were present at the hospital when her water broke. They barely had time to inform anyone, but Abella rushed over as soon as she found out.The moment Callum stepped out of the delivery room and saw his sister waiting outside, a wave of emotions hit him all at once. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight hug.“Congratulations, brother. I’m so proud of you,” Abella whispered, pressing a kiss to his cheek.Callum let out a shaky breath, still overwhelmed. “When did you get here?”“Just now,” she said with a smile. “How’s Estelle?”“Tired,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Still cursing me.”Abella chuckled. “And the baby?”“Just perfect,” Callum said, his eyes softening. “Come inside. She is going to be so happy to see you.”When Estelle saw Abella, she let out a small gasp before pulling her into a long, tight
After her divorce, Abella didn’t leave the country. Cillian had given her a staggering sum in alimony, even going as far as naming half of his assets to her, but she refused to take a single dime. She had her own inheritance. More money than she could ever need. But what could wealth do? It couldn’t buy her happiness. It couldn’t fill the void in her heart.Cillian knew her too well; he didn’t push her to accept anything. He let her go, even when it shattered him.When her mother lived in Italy with Coco and Leon, alongside her uncle Nate, she had bought a beautiful bungalow. It had never been sold, left untouched over the years. When Abella married Cillian, Leon had given her the key to that house as a quiet token of their family’s past. There were two bungalows beside each other, one where her mother had raised her two older siblings, and the other where her father had stayed, the place where her parents had met and reunited. One had been passed down to Charlotte, the other to Leon.
Cillian stared at her, his throat tightening as he heard the finality in her voice. He had imagined this conversation a thousand different ways, but none of them had prepared him for the calm and almost serene acceptance in her eyes.“Abella…” He whispered her name like a prayer, like a plea. “Can we please rethink this?”Abella smiled. It was a soft, bittersweet smile that made his chest ache.“Cillian, there is nothing to rethink,” she said gently. “Alessandro came to see me. He told me that he was leaving the country with his mother. He said he doesn’t want to come between us, that he would be happy if you called him once in a while and only if it was okay with me.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “That’s too big of a burden for me to carry. I mean, I don’t care how you navigate your relationship with your son. But I will give you one piece of advice: don’t be a jerk. Don’t hurt one more person. You have already hurt me, you have hurt him, and you have hurt his mother. Stop making
Cillian reached for her hand, his grip firm but trembling as well. “Abella, please listen to me. I’m sorry. I made a mistake by not telling you the truth. Can you please forgive me?” His voice cracked with desperation.She looked at him, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know,” she said softly.Cillian’s breath hitched, and he tried again. “Please, I’ll change. I’ll work on myself. Just give me a chance.” His hands clenched at his sides as if willing himself not to break apart. “I don’t want to see you like this, so shattered. You mean so fucking much to me. Please.”But to Abella, his words felt like echoes in an empty room. They were hollow and weightless. Once upon a time, she had longed to hear them, had dreamed of a moment where he would look at her like this, beg for her, choose her. But now? Now, they felt unimportant. They meant nothing.She exhaled, rubbing her temple. “I heard you. But my head is splitting apart, Cillian. Can you please just go back to your house? I just w
Madam Facci looked at her son, her expression undecipherable. She had seen Cillian walk through storms without flinching, but today, he stood before her looking utterly wrecked. His usually sharp eyes were bloodshot, his arm wound had reopened, staining his sleeve with fresh blood, yet none of that seemed to matter to him or anyone at this point.“What do you want, Cillian?” she asked, her voice firm but not unkind.“I’m here to see Abella,” he said. His voice was hoarse, almost desperate.Madam Facci crossed her arms. “I’m sure you have no idea what happened last night.”“I know,” he admitted, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. “I just want to explain things to her. She is overthinking this, and there is nothing much to overthink. I just—” He exhaled sharply. “I just want to make everything okay.”A wry smile tugged at Madam Facci’s lips, but there was no amusement in her eyes. “Son,” she said, “we can never tell someone what is worth overthinking or not. For you, th