When everyone left, Abella turned to Callum, tugging at his sleeve. “Let’s go check on her,” she said softly, her concern evident on her face. But before Callum could answer, raised voices from inside the room stopped them in their tracks.“Why did you tell everyone?” Estelle’s voice broke through the quiet.“What are you talking about?” Ronan replied, his tone filled with confusion.“Ronan, you know what I’m talking about,” Estelle said, her voice trembling with hurt. “Instead of worrying about your wife, the first thing you did was call your entire family to swarm me! This isn’t what I wanted. I told you I needed you. Just you.”When the doctor told her about her pregnancy, she was lost. Thankfully, it happened to be the hospital where his husband worked. She needed him so much but he made her wait for so long. And when he came, he came with his family. The emotional strength that she needed, she did not get it. Instead, the overwhelming feeling that she was getting was taking away
Today, Alisha organised a picnic for the whole family, hoping to bring everyone together for a fun and relaxing day. The atmosphere was filled with joy as everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather. The boys and girls were enthusiastically playing basketball, running around and laughing, while Anne, Emery, Ellora, and Estelle chose to sit on the side and watch the action from afar. Ellora and Emery were both deeply engrossed in a conversation with Estelle about pregnancy. Ellora shared her personal experiences while speaking about the joys and challenges she had faced while being pregnant with her three children, while Emery took a more serious tone by providing medical advice and explaining what Estelle should be careful about during this special time.Anne who had been observing the situation couldn’t help but feel that they were overwhelming Estelle with too much information. "You are overwhelming her," she commented, glancing at Emery. "Why are you so worried about her? She is a doct
On the other side, the younger generation was happily immersed in their basketball game. Sia was about to make a shot, and as she threw the ball towards the hoop, Callum, quick on his feet, leapt up to block it. He managed to stop the ball with his head and tossed it to the other side of the court. But Sia, resolved to get the ball back, quickly regained control of the ball again. Seeing Callum ready to dodge, she threw the ball with great force. Callum jumped to block it, but instead of stopping it, his arm made contact with the ball which caused it to change direction and speed rapidly.Meanwhile, Estelle, who had been talking to her mother on the phone, was walking along and hadn’t realized how close she had gotten to the basketball court. She was still on the phone, completely unaware of the game happening nearby. Out of nowhere, the ball came speeding toward her and before she could react, it hit her with full force.The impact was so strong that Estelle lost her balance and fel
On one side of the house, Emery was sobbing uncontrollably while her grief was pouring out as she struggled to process the loss. Her face was streaked with tears and her body was shaking with emotion. She felt heartbroken for the loss of the baby and the dream of becoming a grandmother ripped away from her in an instant.Meanwhile, across the room, Sia was also crying while her arms were wrapped tightly around Leon. Her tears fell silently but the pain was deep and far beyond what anyone could see. Her past traumas were crashing to the surface and it was more intense than anything she had ever dealt with before. Sia had lost children—too many children. Multiple miscarriages had scarred her, and she had been forced to undergo abortions each one of the memories leaving a wound that had never fully healed. She had always longed to be a mother, to experience the joy and love of raising children, but Matthew’s cruelty had turned that dream into a nightmare. His constant episodes of cruelt
Sia was trembling and in desperation, she rushed towards the washroom with her heart racing as she frantically searched through the cupboards. Her hands shook with fear as her mind was consumed by the haunting nightmare she had just woken from. Tears streamed down her face as she rummaged through the shelves with her breath coming in sharp and uneven gasps.Leon was woken up by the sound of her distress and quickly followed her while his concern grew as he watched her desperate movements. “Sia, baby?” His voice was soft but filled with worry.He stood in the doorway, completely unsure of what to do or say. “What are you looking for?” he asked gently, but there was a sense of helplessness in his tone. Sia was visibly dishevelled both mentally and physically as her past trauma overwhelmed her in that moment.When she finally found what she was searching for, Leon’s heart skipped a beat. His eyes widened in disbelief as he saw what she had grabbed. A pregnancy test. His voice dropped to a
Leon was still in shock himself as he shook off the initial disbelief and rushed to her side. He pulled her into his arms while lifting her onto his lap and holding her tightly. “Nothing. Nothing will happen to you or the baby,” he whispered, his voice filled with newfound determination and love. He stroked her hair while trying to comfort her with every fibre of his being.But Sia was consumed by the past and by the horrors she had lived through. “No, Leon…” she sobbed. “I’m cursed. I’m cursed to be a mom.”Leon held her tighter. He knew the journey ahead would be difficult, but he refused to let her go down this dark path alone. "You’re not cursed, Sia," he whispered. "This baby is a blessing, and we’ll face everything together. I’m here with you, always."But Sia’s sobs didn’t stop, and neither did the shadows of her past. As Sia continued to sob uncontrollably, Leon never left her side. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close, offering the only comfort he could which was
As morning light flowed through the windows, they were still wide awake. They quietly went to the breakfast table, starting the simple morning routine would offer some comfort.When Charlotte entered the room, she was surprised to see them awake. Usually, she would wake up early and the two of them usually wake up late but this time, it seemed they had been up much earlier than expected."You guys woke up pretty early," Charlotte said with a warm smile, noticing their tired eyes but she did not miss the subtle shift in their energy."Do you Want to have breakfast with us, Coco?" Leon asked, his voice soft but with a new warmth. "Sure," Charlotte replied, sitting down with them at the table. The housekeeper came over and served them a meal, and for some reason today, Sia’s plate was filled with a healthy, balanced mix of food like fruits, grains, and proteins. Ever since Anne and Sia got closer, the latter had become obsessed with sugar. She needed sugar thrice a day to survive Charl
Life in Switzerland was a fresh start for Sia and Leon. It was a new chapter that seemed to offer both hope and a sense of anticipation. Their new house was cozy, and they were surrounded by scenic views that felt worlds away from the chaos of their past. Even their old pet, Lucifer was always around Sia as if guarding her from all the troubles. Though Sia was still scared of Lucifer, the dog, as if smelled the new human inside her, would always follow her around to keep her protected. Leon wrapped his arms around Sia as they stood by the window watching in the serene beauty of their new home which was nestled between snowclad mountains. “So baby, what do you think of our new life?” he asked as he pulled her closer.Sia sighed. "It's fine," she said, though her tone lacked the excitement one might expect. She turned to face him. “I can't believe this is our life. Sometimes it feels like a dream like everything has shifted, but not always in the best way.”Leon kissed her forehead,
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