“Brian has leukemia,” Yvonne said. Nicholas looked at her with shock with his eyes. He did not know what to think, what was he supposed to do? The woman that he loved was kidnapped and he did not know what she was going through in the hands of her kidnapper, and now the son that he did not know existed was sick with cancer. Nicholas just stared ahead and held Brian in his arms, he could not say anything to Yvonne. The car drove them to his house in quiet. Nicholas did not say anything anymore. The words died on his tongue, and for a while it felt like all he could do for Astra was to pray.“Why was Brian with you? Why not Astra’s parents?” Nicholas asked. It seemed like a safe topic. Nicholas figured that Astra’s parents would have told him about the child. They had been so sympathetic during the divorce. “Did you not know?’ Yvonne asked. She looked shocked.“What?” Nicholas replied. He was curious as to what she meant.“Astra’s parents had disowned her because of the divorce.

Chapter 53Astra wanted to die. It was not the first time she felt like that. When Astra thought about it, she wanted to die a lot of times in her short life. Maybe she was not meant to live then. Maybe she was born to die. She first wanted to die when she was a child. It was the issue with the dress and Charise, she felt so bad that she thought if she died no one would miss her. Her parents would not worry because they had Charise, they loved her more anyway. Astra never did anything about the need then. She wondered if she would have done something if she had the chance, maybe a drop of poison or a knife to her wrist. Both options sounded appealing to her at the moment, she would take any route, but Brian.There had been many thoughts throughout when she was a teenager to her adult life. Astra had been pretty depressed when Nicholas dumped her, but nothing came close to when she lost Brianna. Astra was not the one that started the fire but she would have not minded the fire burning

Chapter 55Nicholas woke up that morning with his son by his side. Nicholas had never slept with Brian before, but the boy said he was scared and he did not want to sleep alone. Nicholas had no choice but to oblige.The previous night, they had planned Theo's party, from the cartoon theme, to the balloons and all. Sarah had also told him that she was ready to move back to her house, that was after Theo's birthday. Nicholas knew that Sarah would want some privacy with Jared. Nicholas also called Yvonne to make sure she was okay last night, she was, and Astra slept through the night too.Nicholas kissed his son on his forehead, Brian looked so peaceful while he slept. He was also very peaceful when he was awake. Brian was generally not a problematic child. Nicholas almost wanted him to be more active, but he was sick and his brain was active enough."Brian," Nicholas said as he tapped the little boy. He already stood up from the bed. Brian opened his little eyes with a smile."Daddy,"

Chapter 57"Astra, I am coming to town for Sarah and Jared's engagement dinner party, but I will go straight to the Nicholas' house. I hope you will be there," Yvonne said over the phone. Yvonne had moved back home after Astra made peace with her parents. She was hardly ever alone as either Charise or her mother or even her father were around to keep her company and help her out. Astra was already five months along, and she had not seen Nicholas in a while. He had been getting either Sarah or one of his guards to take Brian for the weekend. Astra had been avoiding him, and going for the engagement dinner in his house will only spoil her plans."I am not going. Why do they even have to do their engagement dinner in Nicholas' house?" Astra asked. It made no sense. It was not like Nicholas was the one getting engaged or anything. Since it was in his house, there was no way Astra could avoid it."It is their choice, and from what I heard, Nicholas volunteered his place, he is the one thro

Chapter 59Astra woke up the next morning in a very excited mood. She felt like she was in a very good mood. She wanted the date to go very well without any hitches. She took her bath and started to get ready for the shopping spree. She was already having breakfast when Stephanie called her."Hello Stephanie," Astra said when she picked up the call."Hello, Astra. Are you ready to start going shopping now?" Stephanie asked her and Astra laughed. To think that she thought her friend would not have the strength to go shopping since she was pregnant."You are more eager for this dress than I am Stephanie," Astra said with a laugh. It was a little funny how she could be."Whatever you say Astra, I just want to get clothes, that is all," Steph said and Astra laughed."I will be ready in an hour, " Astra said to her friend before she disconnected the call.After the call, Astra looked at her phone and she saw a text from Nicholas. It was as cheesy as the first one, but the thing was that sh