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Tormenting Reality
Last Updated:
2022-09-24 14:04:16Related chapters
We Were One I Can't Damn It!
Like the day I'd seen Maggie at the cemetery, everything else around us seemed to dim and blur as my eyes zeroed in on her. Once again, I was breathless, and for a moment, I started to question my sanity again because I could swear it was my Maddie I was staring at not Maggie. I was temporarily pulled out of the trance I'd fallen into when I noticed the same girl who was with her at the cemetery—Clarisse—leaned over as Maggie appeared . . . staggered?We all stood there in silence at first. Taking my eyes off her was impossible, and it seemed she was struggling with the same issue. Until Xavier finally spoke up. "Maggie?"Her eyes were off me for a moment as she turned to my brother and nodded. Her friend seemed to nudge her, and to my horror, they started toward us."I-I'm Xavier," my brother said as they got closer. Xavier shook his head, turning back to me. "Jesus, you weren't kidding, bro." Then his eyes were on Maggie again. "After all these years, I'd forgotten how much you lo
Last Updated : 2022-09-24We Were One The Stars Align
I stared at him through my blurred eyes, but if it was impossible to speak before, there was no way I was attempting to now, so, I said nothing. Puckering my lips because I could already feel them tremble, I shook my head and looked away."I'm sure you've heard the saying, Nicolas." He handed me a box of tissue, and I took it, feeling beyond annoyed with myself. "'Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.'"I nodded, swatting a tear away with the tissue when he paused. Of course I'd heard the fucking saying. But if he was going to try to feed me this highly debatable theory as fact, things were about to get heated. My mangled heart would have plenty to say about that. There was a tug at the corner of his lip when I glanced up at him and refrained from glaring."I take it you don't agree." He didn't wait for a response before going on. "Fair enough. Let me ask you a hypothetical question. Say it were possible for you to go back in time and not make a move to
Last Updated : 2022-09-24We Were One Angel of Mud
The familiar drive back to Huntsville alone was enough to have my stomach in knots. Thankfully, I'd called ahead and gotten one of what I was told were the last rooms available that weekend because of some town celebration going on.I checked in and then drove around town for a bit before heading back to my hotel room. I was nervous about the cemetery, still remembering my last visit here. Even more alarming, I once again could feel her presence. I knew it was all in my head. I was just psyching myself out. Being this close to the place I shared so many memories with her and where she'd lost her life was all it was. But I felt that strange feeling of empowerment somehow. Like maybe what Dr. Mike had said was really true.All day as I'd driven around town, I allowed myself to remember. I even drove by that theater where we'd first kissed. Though I still dared not step foot in it, I figured riding by it was a good first step.Just before getting into bed in my room that night, I decid
Last Updated : 2022-09-24We Were One More Questions
Seeing the spitting image of my peanut standing there holding the gift I'd bought for her and staring up at me with those big blue eyes, did something to my heart. Maggie argued the groundkeepers would've taken it anyway if she hadn't. I barely listened as she went on with that continued look of awe in her eyes while she stated her case.Then there it was, the familiar lift of that stubborn jaw, something Maddie had done so often. "It was a long walk. I didn't have any breakfast, so I got hungry, okay? I can refill the candy."Any other time I might've smiled, chuckled even, at her haughtiness. Instead, the pain in my heart was brutal. Not only did she look and sound exactly like Maddie, it was like over the years, the once timorous Maggie had found her stauncher side. It almost felt like a cruel joke God was playing on me.Forgetting about the gift and ignoring the ache in my heart, I had to ask the obvious question. "What are you doing out here anyway?"It felt impossible not to
Last Updated : 2022-09-24We Were One Trying to Fill The Void
There was a table immediately available for us at the diner I chose in town. Though Maggie excused herself to clean up a little in the ladies' room. I was still sitting there pondering everything I now knew about Maggie's mysterious disappearance when she got back to the table and slipped into the booth across from me.Looking into those eyes once again had me needing to catch my breath. Her face was washed clean of any trace of makeup, and she was exactly as I remembered her all those times we'd spent hours at the river and lake. The Hellman twins were natural beauties. There'd never been any denying it, but damn it if it didn't feel like I was looking into Madeline's eyes. She even seemed to sense me tensing, just as Maddie always read me like a book."I know this is hard for you, Nicolas. So, after you take me back to my car today, I understand if you never wanna see me again."Swallowing hard, I stared at her for a moment, unable to speak. Fortunately, we were interrupted by a w
Last Updated : 2022-09-24We Were One It's Like Looking Into Her Eyes
We discussed the car—the bug—Madeline had wanted so bad and both her mother and I gave into it. How it was one of the few things her mother and I had openly agreed about so close to her death. That it wasn't the safest or most reliable, but because Madeline had us both wrapped around her finger, we'd both given into her pouty wishes.But we were back full circle again to the subject of Loretta blaming me for Madeline's death. Something I'd have to live with for the rest of my life. I glanced down at my hand, swallowing that reality down again, this time knowing without doubt it was the truth.Her hand on mine from across the table had me looking up at her, but it was only for a moment because it was all I could take before I squeezed my eyes shut."What's wrong?""Looking into your eyes." I said, taking a deep breath but kept my eyes shut a bit longer until I gave in and opened them again, staring into hers. "It's like looking into hers. It's why I couldn't talk to you in Radcliffe
Last Updated : 2022-09-24We Were One You Remember?
It was at a moment when I happened to look away that I felt her hand grab my arm. I turned to catch her, thinking she might've tripped. But the expression on her face scared the hell out of me. What Quino and Xavier had told me about them thinking she was having a heart attack the day she showed up was the first thing I thought, so I grabbed her other arm firmly."What's happening?" I asked as her eyes began to roll back, and I thought she might faint, but in the next second, she closed them, and this even odder expression replaced the first one. I continued to hold on to her because I could swear she was about to collapse the way her eyes fluttered and her body seemed to sway. "Maggie, are you okay?"Unbelievably, as her eyes continued to flutter in that near closed state, she laughed. When they opened and while she was still smiling, the smile flattened when she saw how freaked out I was. "Do you need a doctor?"She shook her head, staring out into space and, to my relief, finally
Last Updated : 2022-09-24We Were One Claiming Her
For a moment, I was caught in the way Maggie inhaled deeply, taking in the lingering scent of what I was smoking. "That's not tobacco, is it?"Smiling, I shook my head, explaining how her sister made me give up tobacco almost as soon as we became a thing. How she'd been okay with this stuff because I never chain-smoked it like I did the tobacco. Holding out the pipe to her, I offered her some."I'm good with my wine, thanks." She lifted her glass at me. "I actually like the smell of that. I just can't chance the random testing they do at the hospital where I work."Peering at her because I didn't remember her ever saying it, the words were out without thought. "Maddie liked the smell too."Unable to look at her anymore, I glanced out into the night sky. Talking about this was a reminder of why I was certain it took a chance meeting for Maggie to ever be reminded of my brothers and me again."I don't think Mama blames you for her death."Pulling out of my thoughts, I turned to fac
Last Updated : 2022-09-24
Latest chapter
We Were One Epilogue - Maddie's POV
MadelineThe coughing in the living room followed by the moaning only made me want to giggle. But I dared not. Mama had warned me what big babies men can be when they're sick, and I'd seen it more than once, but it'd never annoyed me the way it did her. Why they had to moan after every cough and sneeze I'd never know, but unlike Mama, who rolled her eyes when her fiancé Don did it, I thought it was hilarious.Besides, I wouldn't have dreamed of complaining when it came to taking care of Nico. He would have gallantly taken care of me if needed. Not that I'd ever gotten this bad when I was sick. But my entire pregnancy the man went above and beyond taking care of me. That last month when I was on strict bed rest orders, he catered to my every whim. And unlike when it was my turn to do the nursing, between him and Ama, I got some delicious real home cooking"Who's ready for some yummy warm chicken soup?" I asked as I walked into the living room, carrying a tray with a bowl of the hot s
We Were One You Were-ARE-Mine
"I didn't say that. You did." She ran her hand through my hair. "But it was the first time I'd seen him since I broke up with him." She explained a little more about that but then added something more. "I do remember you being jealous, though," she said, looking up at me all whimsically. "Whose bike did I get on that had you seeing red?"Feeling my brows shoot up in reaction, I searched her eyes some more. There was only one time when this happened, and I made sure it never did again. "You remember that?""I had a visual just today when I realized I couldn't stomach him touching or kissing me anymore, not after this weekend." Going tense again as what she just said sunk in, I felt her fingers caress the side of my head, and just like that, I was able to breathe easily again. "Whose bike?""Some douche named Shane. I couldn't stand the way that fucker looked at you."She smiled. "I know you don't wanna hear about it, but after Ryan said 'you're mine' to me one time and it set off a
We Were One Preaching to the Choir
Madeline hugged her mom and their body language said the same thing. It's finally over. As if Loretta, too, had been living under unimaginable stress all these years, wondering when not if the straw would break the camel's back and it all would come tumbling out. She'd said it herself; she knew there was nothing she could do to keep us apart.I watched them, inhaling deeply, my insides filling with pride and emotion. This was really happening. I had my peanut back, and it was all because of her tenacity. Had she not been so bound and determined even after all these years, she may never have caught what she hadn't even known she was chasing. Just like me all this time, her gut kept telling her there was something missing and she needed to get to it.She explained to me as we drove to her hotel room how she'd gotten the room so she wouldn't have to face her mom just yet. She'd told Loretta she was working so she wouldn't be home when her mom got home from her weekend trip."I just nee
We Were One You Can't Make This Shit Up
Loretta explained how she also couldn't take the chance of telling anyone—including me. "Her waking to no memory of her past, while tragic, I considered it a blessing, a sign that I'd done the right thing. I knew my biggest challenge would be getting her to agree to leave Huntsville—leave you. I knew there'd be no way in hell I'd convince her to, and if you weren't willing or able to leave with us, she'd be willing to risk her secret getting out. As discreet as you two were when you were sneaking around, I knew it'd be just a matter of time before the townsfolk got word that Nico was now in love with Maggie. It'd raise too many brows and questions."Madeline chimed in to explain about the birthmark. "Mama said it was an afterthought. Since she hadn't anticipated me waking up with no memory, it wasn't until she was getting ready to make her move and get me out of Huntsville that she thought of it.""I figured I should plant the seed early on," Loretta said, shaking her head. "And then
We Were One This Better Not Be a Dream
None of the random lies Madeline's mother had fed her over the years made any sense, but she said her mother lying about how her grandmother had actually died finally did. "A few years ago, my doctor suggested I have the birthmark on my neck checked. It turned out to be fine." Maggie turned to mom with a raised brow. "But because of my grandmother's supposed death from melanoma cancer, I elected to have it removed anyway."I still couldn't grasp it; though my heart was already leaping to accept it. Afraid to speak for fear of my voice betraying me, I managed one word. "How?"That did it. Instantly, my eyes blurred, and I felt my throat constrict until something else hit me. All these years I'd suffered an anguish I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, and Madeline had been dealing with thinking she was going mad. All because of her mother.The overpowering emotion I'd begun to feel was clouded momentarily as my insides were suddenly on fire, and I turned to Loretta. "Why?"Maggie . . .
We Were One I'm Not Maggie
I didn't even bother telling them to stay put. I could already hear them scrambling to grab their shit and come after me, but they weren't stopping me. At least they had the sense not to try. "The address, Nolan," I barked as I jumped on my bike outside the shop, and Xavier and Quino worked fast to lock the shop up.He was already racing toward his bike as he scrolled through his phone. In the next second, the envelope with the forwarded text popped up on my screen. I tapped it into the navigation app on my phone and squeezed it into my handlebar phone mount as my brothers articulated their loving words of wisdom and heeded warnings."Calm your ass.""Don't drive like an idiot.""Remember we're all following you," Xavier cautioned, knowing full well this one would likely be the only warning I'd be taking seriously. "We'll be right behind you. So whatever stupid maneuvers you make, we'll be making them with you."Fuck me.As if I didn't have enough to worry about, I'd for sure hav
We Were One The Unthinkable
Nolan spoke so fast I had to stop him. "Whoa, whoa, whoa," I said, holding my hands up. "You're talking too fast. Take a breath, man, and start over."I was still trying to wrap my head around what he'd first said. Skipping the taking-a-breath part, Nolan went on a little slower but just as urgently. "Her mom lied about a whole lot of shit. Kept so much from her it has her completely confused, but she still hasn't questioned her mom because she's trying to gather more evidence of what she suspects. She told me all this yesterday. It's why when I saw the engagement post today I immediately called her on it. How could she be getting engaged if she still doesn't know for sure if you two are soul mates?"That last part sucked the air out of me, but I refused to get my hopes up. Every time I did, that tiny voice of reason in the back of my head cleared its throat and reminded me about the physical proof that she wasn't Madeline. Nolan reeled off, too fired up to let any of us get a word i
We Were One Delusion or Deception
As if he knew without having me say it, Nolan didn't push for me to finish explaining. Instead, he nodded in understanding; though he still looked a little unconvinced about Maggie not having ulterior motives."I don't talk to her too often," he explained. "She drops me a text when she has questions regarding something she just remembered or whatever. Last I heard from her was when she called to ask about the pier. She'd had a dream about it, but didn't remember anything about the pier."Hearing about her dreams reminded me of Maggie dreaming of me. Of course I'd kept this to myself. I hated how, on top of what a confusing mess this was, I had to be mindful that this was a girl Nolan had slept with. One who though he didn't admit it then I could tell he was beginning to fall hard for. Even if he was long over her now, it'd still be weird as shit.He had nothing more significant to tell me but assured me if he heard or remembered anything else he'd let me know. As far as I was concer
We Were One A More Plausible Theory
Even this had me feeling a mixture of something I only ever felt when Madeline was alive—a strange but urgent sense to protect. But protect who? Maggie? And against who? My brother who was only concerned for me? Of that, I had no doubt.So I chose my words and tone carefully. After taking in another spoonful of cereal as nonchalantly as ever, I posed the burning question. "What are you getting at, Nolan?"Tapping his fist softly on the counter in a nervous pattern, he started telling me what I'd suspected already: that since Maggie showed up in Radcliffe, he'd kept in touch with her but hadn't mentioned it because he didn't think I'd want to hear about it. Mostly they'd texted but he'd talked to her on the phone a few times as well. "That blow to the head she took must've been real bad because even after all these years she still seems really confused and has lots of questions."I nodded, trying my damnedest to focus on what he was saying and not my unreasonably heating insides. Ins
