Ariana's POV
"Did I ever tell you why I have to move away from here?" Max's hand finds mine as he plays with my fingers.
A faint smile forms on my lips because he always used to play with my fingers when we used to talk or discuss any project. He always gets fidgety when he wants to share any secret.
It always annoyed me just like it is annoying me now, and I have this strong urge to pull my hand back. However, the innocent but somewhat distant look on his face makes me stop.
"My parents, they got divorced." He continues without even waiting for my response.
I am shocked to hear this, but I don't let this come to my face because this is not the time to demand to know why he didn't tell me. He needs me to listen to him, just like he listens to
Ariana's POV Giving Max the privacy which he needs to gain hold of his emotions, I walk into the kitchen. Whenever I don't know how to comfort anyone, I mostly try to give them anything to eat or drink. I am not sure if it works or not, but whenever I feel emotional, I mostly find comfort in food, so maybe that's why I do this. Taking out two mugs from the top shelf, I turn on the coffee machine. Tapping my fingers, I wait for the water to boil. My mind is numb because there is a lot to take in. I feel like a terrible friend because I never knew anything about what was happening in Max's life. If you ask me, earlier we were not as close friends as we have become now. I think after we have reconnected, our friendship has not only strengthened, but we both understand each other on a differe
Samuel's POV If there is something which I hate the most, it is "What if." Whenever what if comes in our life, things become complicated because we tend to think about the alternative that we could have chosen to make our situation better. But it only results in regret and disappointment because time has already passed, and there is nothing we can do about it anymore. Like, I always wonder, what if I had the courage to tell everything to Ariana sooner. It probably wouldn't have changed the outcome, but still, it would have made everything a little less painful. Maybe we still would have been friends, and there wouldn't be this awkwardness between us. In our lifetime, we make numerous decisions. Some decisions turn to be right, while some are wrong. However, in some way, eve
Samuel's POV Stepping outside the general ward, I walk towards the nurses' station. "Helena, can you please page Dr. Irvin to look into bed number sixteen patient, Mr. Bentley's, case?" Folding my arms over the counter, I slightly lean against it, "And I want you to keep monitoring him with two hours intervals." "Okay, Dr. Davis." Nodding her head, she makes a note of the instructions. "Thanks." Politely smiling at her, I make my way towards the cafeteria. My life is gradually returning to normal. Well, as normal as it can get. Laura and I finally got a divorce, and we both are happy with our decision. She has started her therapy to heal from the mental torture her mother has put her through all
Samuel's POV Killing the engine, I rest my head against the steering wheel while mentally preparing myself to face Ariana. I am scared that she might think I am just trying to get back into her life because things with Laura have ended. I am aware it will seem like this, but it is far from the truth. I want her forgiveness and a chance to win her trust back. Maybe I should just stop overthinking and follow my heart, which tells me to drop on my knees in front of her and beg for her forgiveness. Taking a deep breath, I feel much more confident as I step outside the car while holding her gift in my hand. Looking around the park, I try to find any familiar face while checking the address, which Max has messaged me to confirm if I am at the right
Ariana's POV My birthday is the time of the year where I miss dad even more than I can express. Every year, he woke me up early in the morning because he used to say that we should not waste a single moment of our birthday and enjoy every moment of it. Even though dad never enjoyed baking, he took classes for baking just to bake birthday cakes for me. More than me, dad used to be excited about my birthdays, and when Justin came into our lives, even his birthdays were special for dad. So that's why I celebrate Justin's birthday in the same dad had celebrated ours. So that Justin never feels that he is not special to me or I love him any less. I can't fulfill the void of dad in his life, but I would do everything which I can to make sure he knows that he is loved. However, I can't bring mys
Ariana's POV "It has been so long since we all did something together as a family, other than hiking. Please do arrange such classes in the future as well; my family and I had a great time." Mrs. Brooke smiles, handing me the canvases which her kids were holding. A smile forms on my face when I notice both of her children have attempted to draw a landscape. And honestly, for someone who has painted for the first time, it is excellent. "Sure, I will try to arrange such painting sessions whenever it is possible." I keep the canvases on the table where other canvases are also placed, "I have your contact details, I will inform you where these paintings have been donated. So if you want, you can go and check them." Following dad's footsteps, I will donate these paintings to hospitals, retirem
Samuel's POV Ariana has left to drop off the children. Justin has also gone with Ariana. Even I was about to leave, but when I watched Max limping towards the bench, I changed my mind because he was in real pain, and he may need someone to be with him. I can clearly see Max is trying to downplay his pain, and the reason behind this pretense is Ariana. He is definitely hiding something from everyone, especially her. I recall the look on his face when I saw him at the hospital; he was shocked. Probably because of the thought of Ariana finding something he doesn't want to share. However, it would not have been possible because firstly, we are not in contact, and secondly, even if we were, it's not my truth to tell. So I would have never told Ariana anything if he didn't want to share it with
Max's POV Uncertainty is a part of our life since the beginning. Never in our life can we be sure what will happen next or what will be the outcome of our decision. I can't change some things in my life because those things are not in our hands. However, this doesn't mean I will submit myself to my fate. My life may be full of uncertainty, but this will not stop me from living my life the way I want. When I beat cancer a few years ago, I promised myself that I would not waste my second chance at life and live my life in the best way I could. I want to live my life free of any burden and totally focus on my happiness. I have seen people living the last days of their life with unfulfilled wishes. And I choose not to be one of those people.