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CHAPTER 25

Author: C.K Hawks
last update Last Updated: 2025-05-14 03:46:44

Present Day…

Valery had been fighting herself for hours. Even after her shift ended, she couldn’t bring herself to leave. She lingered outside the waiting area, pacing restlessly beneath the moonlight that hung like a chandelier in the night sky.

'This is ridiculous. Just go in. He’s not going to bite... but what if he does? Damn it, why did they have to meet like this?'

Ever since Derrick’s visit, Ryan had withdrawn completely, his aura reverting to that familiar, icy coldness. The kind that used to freeze her out when she got too close. Now, Valery feared his reaction.

'But I need to explain. I need him to understand.'

With a deep breath, she marched to his door. After a gentle knock, she pushed it open and stepped inside.

Ryan wasn’t asleep. He lay still, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.

“Hey,” Valery said softly, pinching her fingers for control.

'Don’t back down. Just talk to him.'

Ryan didn’t look at her. “You here to check my vitals or something?”

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  • OUR MOON HAS STRINGS   CHAPTER 25

    Present Day… Valery had been fighting herself for hours. Even after her shift ended, she couldn’t bring herself to leave. She lingered outside the waiting area, pacing restlessly beneath the moonlight that hung like a chandelier in the night sky. 'This is ridiculous. Just go in. He’s not going to bite... but what if he does? Damn it, why did they have to meet like this?' Ever since Derrick’s visit, Ryan had withdrawn completely, his aura reverting to that familiar, icy coldness. The kind that used to freeze her out when she got too close. Now, Valery feared his reaction. 'But I need to explain. I need him to understand.' With a deep breath, she marched to his door. After a gentle knock, she pushed it open and stepped inside. Ryan wasn’t asleep. He lay still, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. “Hey,” Valery said softly, pinching her fingers for control. 'Don’t back down. Just talk to him.' Ryan didn’t look at her. “You here to check my vitals or something?” There

  • OUR MOON HAS STRINGS   Chapter 24

    High SchoolDerrick's fingers dug into the pliant flesh beneath the girl's uniform, his breathing ragged against her neck. His hips stuttered forward in urgent rhythm, chasing release.The door handle rattled. They froze mid-motion.Derrick's shoulders relaxed when he saw the intruder. "Riley." He withdrew, zipping his jeans with practiced ease as the girl scrambled to adjust her skirt. She fled without meeting Riley's gaze, her shoes clicking sharply against the floor.Riley entered slowly, struggling to process the scene he'd just witnessed. "I thought you were in a committed relationship," he said."I am." Derrick turned to the fridge, grabbing a drink. "Valery isn't big on intimacy, and I don't want to force her.""So, you chose to cheat on her? How old was that girl?""Of legal age. I can't starve myself just because my girlfriend is difficult. Stop making a fuss over nothing. Valery ought to be grateful someone else handles her job."Riley was speechless."Come on, don't look at

  • OUR MOON HAS STRINGS   Chapter 23

    "We should head out. I'll help you." Valery pulled her hand back, carefully lifting Ryan by the shoulders."I said let’s dump that stupid chair. I can walk." Ryan’s brows furrowed as Valery brought up the wheelchair. She had no choice but to listen, though she nearly regretted it when he stumbled. Fortunately, some nearby strangers stepped in to help."Thank you, I can take it from here," Ryan said politely as he steadied himself."A park, huh? The sunlight is blinding," Ryan remarked, taking a deep breath. "No harsh detergents or repugnant medicine. The air is fresh, and the grass is as green as it gets. No beeping machines or footsteps echoing down those eerie corridors. I could get used to this.""I can imagine how hard it’s been," Valery said."You might think you understand, given your profession, but the pain... it’s beyond what your brilliant, feeble mind could ever process." Ryan’s voice was edged with bitterness.A small smile touched Valery's lips. Ryan had no obligation to

  • OUR MOON HAS STRINGS   Chapter 22

    Days later...By the time the sun came out, the first storm had passed. Ryan responded to treatment, though he appeared so frail that there were speculations he wouldn't make it through the night. Yet after two days of slumber, he opened his eyes.His vision was blurry at first. His throat was sore, his head a mess, and something was strapped to his face. When the fog in his eyes cleared, Ryan discovered he wasn’t alone. Valery was there, reclined on the couch not far from his bed. Her elbow rested on the window frame, her head tilted in an uncomfortable position.Ryan sighed, his chest relaxing. He stared at her a little longer, baffled that such a day had come- where he would be at the receiving end of Valery's attention as he possibly lay on his deathbed. Time may have altered their bodies, but it certainly hadn’t changed their hearts- at least, not his.‘Forget it. This won’t last,’ Ryan thought, convinced that Valery would break her promise, leaving him to wallow in misery again

  • OUR MOON HAS STRINGS   Chapter 21

    Ryan sat in the sterile hospital room, staring blankly at the wall. His mind was swirling in doubt and despair. He had all the time in the world to think, but none of it brought him any solace or clarity."Valery is one of the best doctors in this country. This could be your last chance at a cure, Ryan. Are you going to throw it away because of the past?" Margret's words echoed in his mind. Ryan was sure of his decision, yet he owed Margret his attention; she was the only one who stood by him through the bitterness and painful procedures.As he brooded, the door creaked open. In stepped a figure clad in a crisp lab coat and sensible shoes. It was Valery, the woman he despised. She dared to approach him with a smile as if they had something to discuss."I wasn't gurgling water in my mouth the last time," Ryan said, the drugs making his speech sluggish. He would have howled at her intensely if he could."Your mother and I agreed that having me on the team would be beneficial, Master W

  • OUR MOON HAS STRINGS   Chapter 20

    High School... Derrick ventured out of his cherished hideaway, ascending to the rooftop. Valery had altered his man cave to the point where it was difficult to enjoy some of his favourite activities, like having a relaxing smoke. Seated on the floor, away from the wall, he took out a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled deeply. He released it in circular rings, a trick that took a lot of practice to master. Watching the swirling smoke blend with the surrounding air was oddly calming to him. After the third drag, he paused, scratching his brow and gazing at the cloud-strewn sky. A faint sound interrupted his reverie. "My apologies, I thought it was unoccupied," the intruder said. "You're the kid who took on Ralph the other day, right? Riley?" Derrick's lips curled into a gentle smirk. "Would you mind a smoke?" He offered the pack of cigarettes.Riley, with his hands in his pockets, approached Derrick. He adjusted his school shorts and sat down beside him. "My mom would kill me if she fou

  • OUR MOON HAS STRINGS   Chapter 19

    High School. "Hello. My name is Riley Kwesi Wood, and I am excited to be here. I'm a little behind, so please do not be offended if I ask for help." That was the day Marget met Riley, a seemingly shy student joining the class in the middle of the school year. As he combed through the crowd, looking for a seat, Margret raised her hand. "Sir, there's an empty chair behind me," she said. "Okay. Riley, sit behind Miss Margret." The teacher gave way, beaming at the fresh fruit uniting with the 'good and rotten' bunch. "What are you doing, Marge?" Valery whispered to her friend as the new kid walked over. "Helping out the new student." "But we do not know him. He could be annoying." "You say that about everyone, Val. This one seems different. My spirit tells me he's a good person." "Yeah, right." Valery rolled her eyes. She shushed up when Riley took his place and hung his bag on the backrest of his seat. Margret, as bubbly as ever, turned to him with a smile. "Do you have a l

  • OUR MOON HAS STRINGS   Chapter 18

    Margret walked out of the kitchen with a hot mug in hand. She cautiously sits on the floor and hands the cup to Valery. The latter was snivelling, trying to dry her eyes.Valery: "I wish I could put this baggage down."Margret: "I know."Valery: "I'm tired of being afraid and helpless."Margret: "Do you want to try therapy? Valery, you never really got over the trauma of losing Riley. That is the explanation I can think of. You should be happy to see Ryan, not hide like a hedgehog."Valery: "Haa, you don't understand, Marge."Margret: "Then make me understand. Is it because they are identical? Is there something else you're not telling me?"Violet: "Derrick..."Margret: "Ugh! What about him?"Valery: "I swore to never get back together with Derrick, remember?"Margret: "So what? Ryan is not Riley Valery; you owe nobody an explanation for your choices. Or are you going to dump Duncan because of this?"Valery: "No. Derrick has been nothing but good to me. He cares about me, and I care a

  • OUR MOON HAS STRINGS   Chapter 17

    The world was a stage, and at that moment, she was standing face to face with her biggest fear. Valery shuffled to the back, clutching hard at her phone. Her eyes were frozen on the man in the bed, swaying his head at the older woman. She backs up slowly, hoping to retreat in peace. "Valery?" Hecate Wood squinted at the figure behind the professionals. "Are you not Valery Benson?" The woman affirmed loudly. The rest of the people inside turned to that effect. Valery had to come forth and face them. "Do you know each other?" The Director seemed impressed. He could not stop smiling. "..." Valery lost her tongue as she glanced at Mother and Son. Son, most especially, stared at her like a blank wall. "What a small world we live in." Hecate brightened at the lovely surprise. "My son here attended the same high school as Miss Benson. They were very close back in the day." "Oh, then you'll be happy to know she is one of the specialists taking your case." "Ahh, then I won't have to b

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