( Three days later) Gerald sat beside Serena, watching as she slept, her face relaxed. Occasionally she shuddered, her hands moving but her eyes remained close. He was waiting for her to wake up, there were lots of things he wanted to say to her. The past few days had been hell. His fists clenched at the memory, his eyes closing shut. They didn't go away, instead they clawed at him, driving him crazy. When he opened his eyes, they were much darker. He already had Damien and Scarlett arrested and they'll be facing their judgement soon. After Serena fainted three days ago, he'd rushed her to the hospital. He found out she'd gone into shock and had been severely dehydrated. It only got worse. She been slipping in and out of consciousness since then. When she was awake, shed push him away, screaming that she did want to see him before passing out. And when she was asleep, she was plagued with nightmares, her subconscious replaying those horrible moments, causing her

True to her word, Serena visited in the afternoon. The two women began discussing about everything that was important to them, from the latest gossip that was circulating around town, to the increasing costs of cotton. Clara told her that she wanted to get new linens so she could make new curtains for the approaching weather since it's going to be wet. Serena offered to help her buy it. She had refused adamantly. " No...." She said, shaking her head.. " I can go by myself. No more help from you, young lady." Serena chuckled at the woman's stubbornness. A warm smile on her face, she held her hands. " But I'm also going to get embroidery materials Clara. I can just help you choose the linens you would need. Besides, you need the help I'm offering. Your son isn't around to lend a hand. Let me do it for you." she coaxed the older lady, giving her puppy eyes. Clara sighed, a forlorn look on her face. " I feel like I'm just giving you more work." " It's not wo

(Two days later) " Are you okay, darling?" Clara asked when she saw the pensive look on Serena's face. Serena glanced at the older woman, raising a brow. What she said seemed to sink in and she shifted in her seat. She tried to smile but it didn't quite come out right. " Of course I'm fine. Why wouldn't be?" She said, trying to sound cheerful. Disgusted with her act, she let out a sigh, her shoulders dropping. Clara shrugged, still watching her. " Well, because you've been looking over your shoulders for the past few hours, not to mention the terrified look on your face. Is something wrong?" She asked and Serena shook her head, concentrating on her fingers. Clara allowed herself to think of the worst. " Is it because of me? Did you have a dream that I was going to die?" Serena jumped on her seat, startled. " No!...no!. Of course not!!" She sounded alarmed. Clara chuckled at her reaction, a smile on her face. " That shook you didn't it?" Serena br

If Serena had thought that her last meeting with Gerald would be the last time she would see him, she thought wrong. For the next few days after that day, she would find Gerald at all the strangest places. At first, she thought he was following her but he refuted that thought, saying they've just been bumping into each other frequently. No matter how genuine that reason sounded, she didn't believe it. She didn't let it wear her out, focusing on her work and doing the things she used to do. One thing she was grateful for, his presence no longer affected her the way it would have been. And Gerald was behaving himself. At least, she thought he was. After months of waiting, Clara's son, Noah, finally arrived home. She was there in their house to welcome him. Clara was visibly excited to see him and he pulled her into a hug once he jumped down from the carriage. He noticed Serena standing by the side and he immediately pulled away, bowing his head in greeting, his che

After that day, Serena visited Clara less. This was to avoid running into Noah so many times. She figured he would be angry at her rejection and she wasn't wrong. He'd always look away whenever he saw her, a hurt expression on his face. When Clara asked why, she dismissed it, saying it was nothing. Clara also noticed many other things. Serena was always deep in her thoughts and the light has gone out of her eyes. She has tried asking so many times but it's still the same dead end. Serena has withdrawn back to herself. One day, she was sitting outside of her house, watching the streets when she spot an expensive looking carriage drive and park at Serena's house. Serena wasn't home but she had a feeling that this person wouldn't be leaving so quickly. That thought in her head, she decided to see who it was. " Excuse me, but the person you're looking for isn't home. I'd suggest you come back later." She spoke up. The stranger paused in his knocking. He turned