But Why Is The Rum Gone Novels & Stories

When I talked to the front desk, I felt like my world crumbled. Even my cousin is missing so does that mean? An idea popped in my mind. She chose him. I went back to Xenoah's unit; drunk dead. It feels like I can't go back to our house when I know it was filled with our memories and warmth together. I cried, asking. I was emotional. Why? Why now when I already loved her so much? Several hours had passed and my phone rang. I saw Andrei's name on it that's why I lazily answered it.

The room was deathly silent. No family was present, and there were no flowers around. Only a hired aide stayed on, idly scrolling on her phone. I moved my fingers. My abdomen felt empty, and I could still feel the ache of an unmistakable sense of loss. The doctor entered, his eyes filled with pity behind his mask. "You were brought in too late, Ms. Luciani. Your uterus was severely damaged. We had to remove part of it to save your life. It will be… very difficult for you to conceive in the future. Also…"

Ruth repeats slowly like she doesn’t quite trust the word yet. “Gone,” the fisherman says again but this time firmer. “Paperwork signed and deals void no more surveys, no more meetings, no more men in suits telling us our homes are temporary.” A breath leaves my chest so suddenly I feel dizzy, Donavan is gone the man who made this town feel small and threatened, the man who turned peaceful streets into battle lines, the man whose shadow hovered over everything like a storm that refused to break is gone. Ruth finally sets the cup down, her hands shaking just slightly. “Well,” she mutters. “About damn time.”

He’d even forgotten to ask what surprise I had prepared for him today. I closed my eyes and let him walk out the door without a second glance. My heart felt like a heavy stone, slowly sinking into icy water. James was gone. The storm had passed, too. Through the window, faint golden sunlight began to pour in. It was going to be a beautiful, sunny day. I started packing my own things, putting everything I needed into the largest suitcase. I threw everything else into a garbage truck. Rowan stayed quiet the whole time until I took off the ring I had worn on my left hand for six years.

"Enough! We're heading to brunch. You're all sweaty and gross, so don't bother tagging along." Mom was already in the car, calling out from a distance. "Hurry up! That place doesn't hold reservations. We're going to be late!" I stood there, watching them drive away without me. They treated me like an outsider, but that was fine. The country still needed me, and my team still believed in me. If they did not want me anymore, I would fulfill their wishes.

" I floated over to stare at her strangely. I clearly remembered they had not bought any tomatoes today. Serena quickly realized the problem too. Her face slowly reddened, and she flailed for an explanation. "No, I mean..." Dad suddenly laughed, as if he had noticed nothing. He shrugged lightly. "It's probably too late to buy tomatoes now. "Let's go out for dinner. Caleb loved tomato soup most." I floated beside Dad like that for three years. With Serena by his side, he slowly walked out of the shadow of my death. He accepted Serena and built a new family with her.

He wipes a fake tear. She rolls her eyes and shifts her gaze to the ground, "Mom's been working overtime nonstop, you think we should talk to her about it?" Their mother hasn't been the same ever since their dad mysteriously disappeared after taking a short trip back to Berhtwulf, where Aster and Xavier were found. He refused to tell them the reason as to why he decided to go back there. He also requested that if ever he fails to come home, they are not to attempt to look for him.

The world has time, but I don’t and I am stranded here with my ghosts and regrets, helpless to do anything to change the outcome. My legs carry me to my father’s study and I slowly open the screeching door, inviting more of our ghosts in my personal space and mind. The rum weighs in my hand, but just as always I am too weak to throw it away. I need it as a constant reminder what is my end goal - an expired bottle of rum summarising my entire existence so well it’s pathetic.

I kissed Yvonne on the forehead and asked, "By the way, where's Colleen? Why didn't she show up to the wedding?" "Dr. McClain passed away. Coco was too embarrassed to ask you for the acupuncture regimen, so she went overseas for treatment." "Will her leg recover?" I asked drowsily. "Probably not." "What a shame. She had already been able to stand." As soon as I finished speaking, my eyelids began to droop. Holding the beautiful woman in my arms, I eventually fell asleep.