I gazed at the necklace in awe, tears fell down my flushed cheeks. Hastily, I wiped it away before the child could notice and inquire about my tears. I didn't want Niall to witness my sorrow, fearing that he might feel the sa way. It was too painful for to bear.
I took the necklace from the velvet box and held it up, admiring its beauty carefully. The child is so thoughtful, rembering to give a gift. It makes more guilty to explain to him that I'll be gone from the house and will probably never return.
Gently, I put it around my neck. The cool silver chain rested against my skin, the stones creating a dazzling display of color in the soft light of the room. It was the first and probably the last gift I received from him and I will forever treasure it.
"It looks perfect on you, Mom." he said softly, his eyes shining with pride. "I knew you would like it."
I reached up to touch his cheeks and whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Niall….This is so beautiful. I'm sorry because I haven't brought you a gift."
"It's okay mom. I don't need any gift. I already received many gifts during my birthday and I don't usually use any of them. And daddy, he can buy anything as long as I ask him. Just having you here mom is enough for . You are all I want." He replied and enveloped in a warm hug.
I held onto him, feeling the warmth of his embrace seeping into my soul. At that mont, how I truly wished that he was my son and that I can take him with wherever I go. Sadly, he didn't co from so I have to let go of the idea of being with him until I grow old.
I dreaded the mont when I would have to tell him about my decision. The weight of guilt settled heavily on my shoulders. How could I break his little heart?
"Niall, there's sothing I must tell you." I called out, trying to keep my voice steady as he turned to look at with his bright eyes.
His small hand reached up to hold my cheeks. "What's wrong, Mom?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
I swallowed hard, squeezing his hand gently before sitting him down on the bed next to . "I have to go away for a while," I told him.
Niall's face fell, his eyes filling with tears. "But why aren't you happy here? Why do you have to go away? Will you co back soon? Did I do sothing wrong?" he asked, his voice quivering with emotion.
"No, no. You've done nothing wrong sweetie…. You're as good as an angel. " I consoled him, holding him close, wrapping my arms around him as he buried his face in my chest, his gentle sobs shaking his small fra. "I'm so sorry, Niall. I have to go to take care of so things, but I'll always be thinking of you.
You an everything to , and I love you more than words can say."
The guilt gnawed at , knowing that I had no intention of returning, that this would be the last ti I would hold him in my arms. But I couldn't bring myself to break his heart, not yet.
He looked up at with his big, innocent eyes and said, "I will miss you, Mommy. Please co back soon."
I knelt down in front of him, placing my hands on his shoulders as I looked into his eyes. "I will miss you too, my child," I said softly.
I felt a pang in my heart at his words, knowing that it wasn't easy for him to see leave. " Please don't forget how much mom loves you, sweetie. She will think of you all the ti and no matter where she goes. You'll always be in her heart because you are her one and only angel."
Niall's eyes lit up at my words, and he wiped the tears off his cheeks, displaying a strength that made so proud of him. A forced smile appeared on his lips. He was evidently heartbroken and yet he was trying his best to cheer up. "I love you always, Mommy. And I will wait for you to co back. No matter how long it takes I will wait for you."
As I stood up to leave, I pulled him into one last hug, cherishing the mont before I had to go. I whispered in his ear, "Be good, my child. Don't make your daddy worry and behave all the ti."
"I will Mom. " He replied and hugged tight.
—
Stepping into my room, it felt like a punch to the gut. The walls seed to echo with emptiness. I walked over to my dresser and began to fold my clothes, one by one, trying to push down the lump in my throat.
I glanced around at the few ntos that decorated my room - photos of Niall, drawings he had made for . There's also a photograph of Lucas. Each little thing reminds of what I'm about to lose, hitting like a wave crashing against the shore.
I couldn't believe that this was all coming to an end. I had spent the past few months—was it already a year?— living with them, acting out like Niall's mother, helping Lucas with the business and becoming a part of their family as if I truly was a part of it. And now, I had to leave. It was like ripping my heart out of my chest and leaving it behind.
Niall was like a son to . I had watched him during his vulnerable monts and how he learned to be strong, and had been there for him when he needed a shoulder to cry on or when he needed to be pampered.
And Lucas…. Lucas was the man I had fallen in love with, without him even knowing. His smile could light up a room, his touch could send shivers down my spine, and everything little thing about him just makes smile without a reason.
But I couldn't stay. I had no choice but to resu my life which stopped for a mont.
Tears stung my eyes as I zipped up my suitcase, the weight of leaving becoming too much to bear. I sank onto my bed, overwheld by grief and longing. I knew that I had to go, but my heart rebelled against the idea.
I initially planned to leave after a week. However, AA costics needed . My employees who I haven't seen for a while needed to co back, to resu my duties as the CEO and lead the company towards new heights. If I don't summon the strength to leave tomorrow then there's the possibility I would never have the strength to leave at all.
—
I couldn't sleep, my mind a jumble of racing thoughts that refused to let rest. Sighing, I got up from the bed and sought refuge on the balcony, srized by the twinkling stars above as I waited for fatigue to finally set in before retiring to my room.
The night was still, with a cool breeze gently rustling the leaves of the nearby trees. The air sent a shiver down my spine, but the fresh air felt invigorating as I gazed out at the picturesque starry night.
But just as I began to relax, I heard a faint sound that made freeze in place. It was the unmistakable sound of soone clearing their throat. My heart began to race as I strained to make out where the sound was coming from. I turned around and gasped. "You scared the hell out of !" I told Lucas, clutching my chest after having just an episode of mini heart attack.
"I apologize." He said with guilt ridden eyes. "I didn't an to scare you. I couldn't sleep so I decided to get so fresh air."
I nodded, motioning for him to sit next to on the balcony. As he settled into the chair beside , I couldn't deny the flutter of butterflies in my stomach whenever I was around him.
"So, what's been keeping you up?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light and casual.
Lucas sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Are you really leaving tomorrow?" I could see the pain and uncertainty in his eyes, and I wonder if my eyes are simply playing a trick on .
Without thinking, I reached out and took his hand in mine, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Yes… I have to… Again I want to thank you for all you've done for . Thank you for looking after , for giving a temporary ho, for believing in , and for protecting all the ti."
He looked at , his gaze intense and searching.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my emotions swirling within . I wanted to tell him how much I had grown to care for both him and Niall, how leaving them behind was breaking my heart. But the words caught in my throat, the fear of rejection holding back.
Before I could gather my courage to speak, Lucas lifted his head to et my gaze, his eyes filled with so much emotion that I felt like drowning in them.
"I don't want you to go, Bella. I've co to realize how much you an to , and I can't bear the thought of losing you."
The confession hit like a bolt of lightning, leaving speechless and overwheld. Could it be that he felt the sa way about as I did about him? Was it possible that our connection ran deeper than I had ever imagined?
"I don't get what you an….." I mumbled under my breath, unsure what he actually ant. I fear I might have misunderstood his words.
"I want you to know Bella…. I have loved you since the first ti we t at the hospital." He confessed. "Ever since then, I can't stop thinking of you and I want to be with you all the ti."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Lucas, the man I always dread of, was confessing his love for . If this was just a dream I don't want to wake up.
"I-I don't know what to say, Lucas," I stamred, my heart pounding in my chest. "Are you for real?"
"I know it's a lot to take in, but I can't keep it hidden any longer," He whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "I've loved you for so long, and I can't stand the thought of you leaving and finding soone else. Please, just give a chance."
Tears stung my eyes as I mustered the courage to speak the words that had been weighing on my heart. "Lucas," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. He turned to , his eyes searching mine with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
"I... I love you too," I finally managed to say, the words almost foreign on my tongue. But as soon as they were out in the open, a wave of relief washed over . It was terrifying to lay my feelings bare, but it was also liberating to finally acknowledge the depth of my emotions for him.
Lucas's eyes widened in surprise, joy and disbelief shining in them. "You... you do?" he asked, his voice barely more than a breath.
I nodded, "Yes, I do. I've been scared to admit it, but I can't deny how much you an to . I love you, Lucas. If I don't say my feelings for you I might regret it for the rest of my life."
Tears clouded his eyes and a smile slowly spread across his face, and before I knew it, he was on his feet, pulling into a tight embrace. The weight that had been pressing down on seed to lift, and I felt a sense of peace settle in my heart.
"I can't believe this is happening," he whispered, his voice filled with wonder.
"I feel the sa way." I replied, placing my arms around his neck while staring deep into my eyes.
Reviews
All reviews (0)