SEBASTIAN.


    Ever since I spoke to her in the kitchen, she’s been quieter, although she’s smiling, which lights up


    those gorgeous eyes of hers. I wish I could change the past, change the decisions I made.


    Seeing Sia sick was thest straw. The promise that Gerard had the antidote drove me to get it for her,


    no matter what.


    Watching Zaià crouch down gracefully, yet looking so fucking sexy as she talks to Sia makes me wish I


    could be the reason behind her smiles…


    But instead, I’m the reason behind her tears.


    The pain thates with love is often never spoken of. Two people may love one another immensely,


    but there are still so many hurdles that they have to ovee… but I think I hurt Zaia one time too


    many….


    And that thought agonises me, torments me.


    “Time to cut the cake!” Sia exims as Zaia passes Dad the knife.


    “Everyone gather around,” Valerie says with a small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes which still hold


    sadness.


    Pain.


    Sorrow.


    Heartbreak.


    So much suffering.


    These emotionse in different forms for every person, but we all feel it. The emotions that will bring


    us to our knees, steal the air from our lungs, the sort of emotions where every part of you aches,


    yearns and screams for its end. It’s brutal and blinding in its pain. It bashes your soul harder and


    quicker than the most powerful of storms.


    I ruined this for us. I understand her point. I fucking see her reason. I just wish it wasn’t like this. I


    ruined what love and trust meant to her.


    I’ve tainted it with heartbreak and betrayal. Now I wish I could protect her heart just to make sure no


    one else dares hurt it, yet are my hands the ce for it because I broke it to begin with?


    BONUE


    “Sebastian?” Hugh says, snapping me from my thoughts.


    Walking over to them, I step up next to Hugh as they stand gathered around the table and begin


    singing. I refuse to join in, simply strumming my fingers to the rhythm.


    Dad cuts his cake, feeding Zaia first and then the children. He nces at me before I reach over and


    take the cake from his hand, but instead of eating it; I hold it out to him.


    A silent peace offering to mend the bridges that we are trying to resurrect…


    He smiles faintly, biting into it. “Thank you, son.”


    “Don’t thank me, I didn’t make it,” I say quietly, ncing at Zaia.


    She has the smallest curve of a bump already forming, and she looks gorgeous. Although I’m the one


    who asked for us to talk, I’m not sure what the oue. will be… deep down I’m not sure it will be in


    my favour, but still, I need to know… I need to know if there is any hope of fixing what I broke. I


    destroyed her, and now I suddenly find myself wanting to rebuild her to who she once was, even if the


    truth is she doesn’t need me to rebuild her because she’s truly capable of rebuilding herself.


    It’s a whileter and the kids are ying happily with Dad and the others, and despite the fact it is


    getting quitete neither is tired.


    “Are you sure you don’t want to go to bed?” Zaia is asking them.


    “Yes Mommy, I’m a big boy now, and Sia is stronger now. So, we stay awake,” Zion says firmly.


    “They deserve to get to break their routine for a day at least.” Hugh chuckles as. Zion nods vigorously.


    “Yes, Granddad is right. We deserve this,” he protests as Sia giggles.


    “Yes, we big now,” she deres.


    “Ok then,” Zaia says.


    ‘Shall we?‘ I ask, jerking my thumb towards the door. She stands up slowly – smoothing her dress, her


    face unreadable as the mask that she puts on in front of me slips into ce.


    “Excuse me…” she says.


    +16 BONUS


    “Ok Mommy, you go talk to Daddy. We will look at Grandad’s gifts!” Zion says.


    “I love this chess set.” Valeriepliments the set that Hugh got for Dad.


    “It is a fine set, but I wonder if Hugh actually thinks that after all these years, he can somehow beat me.


    I have not gotten rusty.”


    “Oh, I am actually pretty confident I would win,” Hugh replies.


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “I think there’s only one solution then, a match? Wouldn’t you agree, children?” Atticus remarks as he


    sits back, his arm around Valerie, who nods along with the twins.


    Zaia walks past me, wishing both men good luck before we both head to the garden.


    The wind blows through our hair the moment I open the door, holding it for Zaia to step out under my


    arm first.


    Her scent is intoxicatingly addictive as it wafts into my nose, like a bout of nicotine or something that I


    need to satiate my hunger.


    The door clicks shut, and I watch as she stands there staring up at the moon, holding her arm in front


    of her. The way her hair is blowing softly distracts me and for a blissful moment I am lost in her and her


    alone – forgetting the reason we are even out here. All I do is stare in awe of her.


    +15 BONUS