All Chapters of OUR MOON HAS STRINGS: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

They walked in silence.Valery couldn’t take it anymore. “Please wait. I don’t know what happened back there. I didn’t expect him.”She stopped and grabbed his shirt, hugging him tight. Her voice trembled. “That kiss was a mistake. Please forgive me.”Riley stood still, silent. Then his arms came around her. “You don’t need to explain. I believe you.”She pulled back, her eyes glossy with tears. He brushed her cheek gently. “What’s a partnership without trust? Just be careful next time.”Valery nodded. She leaned into him again, resting her head against his chest.Riley kissed her on the head.“Here, I got this for you.” He handed her the package. “You like food too much. But don’t stop on my count. Just lie better next time when your mom starts asking questions, cause I’m getting you better gifts without the calories.”“What gift could be better than food?” She laughed, holding the said gift tightly.Above them, unseen, Derrick watched from the next floor. That was it.That was when

During break, Valery returned to the school infirmary just in time to see an empty bed where Riley had been.Margret stood by the door, arms crossed, her face unreadable.“Where’s Riley?” Valery asked, setting down the takeout she'd brought in case Riley was awake and hungry. Her voice was hoarse from worry, and her hands still trembled from earlier.“His mother came for him,” Margret replied evenly.“Oh... I guess that’s good,” Valery exhaled and sank onto the nearest chair. Her shoulders slumped, the tension in her back finally giving way."You don’t look so good," Margret commented, coming to sit beside her."Pfft. You don’t say," Valery muttered, rubbing her eyes. "I thought he was going to die on us, Marge. He wasn’t breathing. He looked... I don’t even want to say it."Margret rubbed her shoulders. "Valery, is there something I should know? About you and Riley?"Valery gave her a look. "What do you mean?""I won’t get mad. I promise. It’s just... something feels off. I mean, you

Ryan arrived a little too early. He was nervous, though he’d bite his tongue than admit it. Riley had to put on a better act if they were going to fool their folks again. But he was here.Valery spotted him from the gate of the church, her hand rising in a small wave that made his heart jump.“You look great,” she teased as he approached.“Thank you,” he said, glancing at her shoes. “You too. Nice stilettos.”“Be serious, Riley.”“I’m trying here.”They walked in together. The choir was already midway through a song. Riley didn’t understand most of the hymns, but when she bowed her head, he followed. When she whispered ‘Amen’, so did he. He watched her eyes close when they prayed and wondered what she was saying. He followed her through the service like a well-behaved schoolboy. Ghanaians didn’t play with church. You either stood up when told or had a grandmother pinch your ear from a bench away.After the final blessing, Valery pulled him aside with a soft smile. “Come. There’s someo

“It’s not ethical, you know- getting involved with your doctor.”“What?” Ryan almost laughed. “You and I are way closer. Is that also unethical?”“Ours is different, we are friends- we knew each other before you became a patient.”“Oh, I see.” Ryan smirked, sitting on his bed while she ranted on. “So, if I flirt with you, it’s fine. But with her, it’s unethical?”“Don’t play dumb, Ryan, this was not just flirting. If I hadn’t walked in, your lips would've been at the wrong places. And she would be the one in trouble.” Valery rolled her eyes, trying to downplay how frustrated this made her feel. “Oh really?” he interrupted, amused.“Yes!”“Well, Christar has been nothing but polite and professional with me. She was only helping me to the bed. We just got back from the lounge.”Valery jabbed a finger into his chest, refusing to be swayed. “I know what I saw. Don’t act like you don’t know what you’re doing.”“Tell me,” Ryan chuckled, eyes locking onto hers. “What exactly am I doing?”Va

“We… we have to talk. It’s about us - about me…” Her words made Derrick worried. Was she still uncertain about him? Had Margret pulled another stunt or spilled some forbidden beans? He knew he was overthinking it but could not shake it off. ‘It’s probably nothing. She’s fond of exaggerating at times.’ He maintained his steeze.Valery was on edge. Her eyes twitched a little, her tongue suddenly turning her into a stammerer. How Derrick would react was out of her control, but she had to do it.“I don’t deserve you, Leo.” She truly didn’t know where to start. “You have been nothing but good to me since we rekindled this relationship, but I… I don’t want to lie to you. I think it’s best we-”“Hold on.” Derrick closed the gap in a flash, pressing his hand over her mouth. “Don’t speak if it’s what I think.” He could tell she was nervous; he wasn’t blind. “Valery, we’ve been over this, I’m willing to take things slow. If this is because I showed up and took over a kid’s party, I’m sorry. Bu