'Life seems sometimes like nothing more than a series of losses, from beginning to end. That's the given. How you respond to those losses, what you make of what's left, that's the part you have to make up as you go.'

-Katharine Weber, The Music Lesson
***

Hayworth Estate;

Maya’s smile brightened as soon as she saw her brother. Averey looked dashing.

She looked up at her husband, grinning with excitement. Edward chuckled as he kissed the back of her hand.

“Isn’t he the most handsome groom you have ever seen?”

Edward cocked up one of his eyebrows, smiling mischievously.

“I thought I was the most handsome groom you had ever seen.”

Maya shook her head with mirth.

“I think I had made wrong judgement.”

Edward’s face drooped with an exaggerated scowl as Maya giggled.

“I am going to talk to him.”

He smiled softly, letting go of her hand.

“I knew you couldn’t wait for another moment. Go.”
__________________________________

“Averey!”

Averey’s gloomy face immediately lightened when he saw his sister making her way towards him.

He caught her in his arms as she neared him, trying to grasp the essence of security and comfort that her presence had always brought to him.

“Maya, it is so good to see you well and healthy.”

Maya’s grin dropped when she heard the tiredness in his voice. She pulled back and looked at him with a frown.

“What is the matter? First you spring this surprise wedding upon your poor sister, and now, instead of being ecstatic about this occasion, you seem like you carry the weight of the entire world upon your shoulders.”

Averey tried to mask his anxiety as he replied to her,

“Of course, not. I suppose these are just my nerves acting up.”

Maya smiled, albeit sceptically.
She turned her face to look around at the small group of people that had gathered. It was a rather intimate affair. Only the closest of their family had been invited. She had already met her aunt and brothers.
Her eyes spotted Emma’s family, and though they all carried a smile on their faces, something about their disposition seemed unusual.

She was reminded of the confusion that she had felt when she got the news at the Palace.

Her thoughts had immediately gone to Brandon. She knew he had felt something for Emma; had even suspected both of them of being in love with each other.
But the wedding invite that came, was for Emma and Averey, instead.

Maya had not been able to grasp onto the idea of her being wrong about them.
But Edward had reminded her that she had been too hurt to have noticed these things in the past year.

She had conceded, knowing that things could have changed in such a long time, while she was too concerned with her own grief.

But now, as she saw the apprehension on her brother’s face, her doubts seemed to be creeping back.

She tried to mask her confusion with a small smile.

“Alright, if you insist. But you better be able to dispel these nerves, by the time your bride enters. I presume she would not be happy with this face.”

Averey passed her a short smile, avoiding her gaze.

“All this is fine. But pray tell, where in the world is Bran? He should be here with you!”

Averey’s gaze snapped back to hers as soon as the words were out of her mouth. His expression seemed pained as he swallowed.

“H-He will not be here, Maya. You know him. He is too angry at father to be here.”

Maya’s eyes widened with bewilderment.

“What? He would not be attending his own brother’s wedding? It does not matter how angry he is at father. I never understood his irrational behaviour before; but this is too much!
How could you allow him to do that? Why did you not demand his presence?”

Averey hesitated as he struggled to find the right words to answer her.

He had known it would be difficult to explain Brandon’s absence to Maya. It was what he had been dreading the most. Telling her the truth was out of question. He did not want to hurt her, not when this was the first time in a long while when he had seen her genuinely happy.

“It is alright, Maya. This is Brandon we are talking about. You know how impulsive he gets sometimes.”

Maya grumped as she shook her head in annoyance.
She had presumed him to be busy with some task somewhere else in the manor, thus explaining his absence upon her arrival. But the truth caused her to feel a rising sense of disappointment.
She had hoped for Brandon to be able to overcome his problems. But evidently, she had been wrong.

Averey gently tugged at her chin, causing her to face him.

“Come now, dear sister. Do not let this dampen your spirits. Seeing you like this would not do any good to calm my nerves.”

Maya couldn’t help but imitate his smile. He was right. This was his wedding day. She should not be sulking right now. But she vowed to have a good word with her rash brother, as soon as she could.

She took a deep breath in, soothing her senses before she spoke again,

“Alright. I will let this matter pass- for the moment. Now, where is my dearest friend? I cannot wait to see her!”

Averey grinned at her infectious excitement, though a part of him was crushed at the thought of hiding such a big truth from his own sister.

“She is inside with her mother, getting ready I suppose.”

“And you cannot wait to see her, can you?”

Maya chuckled as she stood up on her toes to press a soft kiss on his cheek.

Averey’s smile dimmed as soon as she left him to enter the manor.
He hung on to the hope that Emma would be able to hide the truth from her.
__________________________________

Emma twirled around on her heels as soon as she caught Maya’s reflection in the mirror.

The two friends met each other halfway through the chambers, both throwing their arms around each other.

“Maya!”

Maya smiled warmly as she pulled back from the embrace, looking at her friend with teary eyes.

“Oh Lord! You look beautiful, Emma.”

Emma sniffed back her tears, smiling feebly.

“Your Highness.”

Maya turned to Emma’s mother as she bowed before her.

“You have known me since I was a child, Miss Mortimer. There is no need for these formalities.”

The older woman smiled hesitantly, straightening up before throwing a curious glance at her daughter.

“I- I will leave the two of you and go see the preparations.”

Emma avoided her mother’s gaze as she left the chambers, closing the door behind her and leaving the two of them alone.

In the very next moment, Maya tugged at Emma’s sleeves playfully, smirking with delight.

“You sly girl! You accomplished quite the task of hiding your affection for my brother from me. We were supposed to confide about these things. I did not have even the slightest of inkling that you loved Averey.”

Maya did not relay her doubt about her and Brandon.
She did not want to discomfort her friend before her wedding. That had probably been a figment of her imagination. Perhaps she had been hoping to see Brandon with Emma, knowing how strongly they were affected by each other’s presence.

But her words were met with silence. Her smile dimmed when she looked at Emma’s tired, red-rimmed eyes.
She frowned with concern,

“What is wrong? Why does everyone seem so uneasy on such an auspicious day? Even your groom seemed a little distressed, not to mention the fact that Bran is not here. Would someone tell me what is wrong?"

A nagging feeling arose in her heart as she witnessed the tears brimming in Emma's eyes.

Emma felt her guilt and conflict gnawing at her.
She could not bear to keep such a big secret from the girl who had always been like a sister to her.

But she also knew that telling her the entire truth would mean being the reason for creating a rift between her and Brandon.

As for Brandon’s absence, she couldn’t be more relieved with that. She could never imagine going through with the ceremony in his presence.

Emma knew how much Brandon and Maya cared for each other. She also knew that if she disclosed the truth to Maya, her friend would take her side. The entire Hayworth family, including Averey, would never forgive her for that; and she already owed her life to him.
The least she could do was hiding the truth from Maya.

If Averey had wanted his sister to know the real reason behind this marriage, he would have told it to her himself.

But Emma knew her friend well enough to know that she would not let this matter slide with a mere excuse.
Maya had gauged the tension surrounding this ceremony. Emma herself, could not help the restlessness and helplessness that she had been feeling since past many weeks. For, although she had accepted the turn of events, she could not avoid the immense hurt and humiliation that ate away at her heart.

The only way of dissipating Maya’s doubts, was to disclose the truth- a part of it, at least- to Maya. She owed it to her.

Emma gazed into Maya's worried eyes and took a deep breath before taking her palm and gently placing it over her clad abdomen.

Maya gasped as she gauged the meaning behind her action, feeling the hardly-noticeable firmness. Her eyes welled up with unshed tears as she focused them on her hand.

“This is the reason why everyone is so apprehensive. You are going to be an aunt, Maya.”

Maya let out a shudder of bewilderment as she looked back at Emma’s face.

She instantly pulled her into a tight embrace, laughing through the tears that threatened to fall at any moment.

“Oh, Emma! That is a wonderful news! Why did you not tell me earlier? Wait- so Averey knows this? That was why he seemed so nervous… Oh, I understand it now!”

Emma smiled softly at her friend’s excitement. This was the first time she could share her happiness of bringing her child into this world.
She had not even needed to lie to her this time; for the child was indeed her brother’s.

Maya was the first person who was genuinely happy at the news, and Emma felt her heart fill with gratitude. She had lost her own child not so long ago, and still here she was- brimming with glee for her.

“Wait! Why am I babbling?”

Maya quickly wiped at her tears and looked back at Emma.

“I am so happy for you, Emma. This is the best gift the Lord can bestow upon you. I know the elders must have been unhappy with this…I can understand why. But please do not let that dampen your spirits. Give this child all the love you can. Let him know that his aunt loves him…or her!”

Her cheerful laugh rang through the chamber.

“You understand now, don’t you? Everyone is just anxious. They are hoping for the ceremony to proceed without any mishap.”

Emma’s tentative tone was met with an understanding nod from Maya.

“Of course. Though, I must ask, how did my sweet little brother manage to do this? He had always been the sincerest of them. I would have been less surprised if it were Brandon.”

Emma blanched while Maya chuckled heartily.
She could not be any closer to the truth.

Maya soon composed herself and looked at Emma with a sincere expression, clasping her hands in hers,

“I wish both of you, a fruitful life, Emma. Averey is a very good man. I know he will always take care of you and the little one.
I simply request you to take care of him as well. He does not always share his burdens with others, Emma. Ever since we were children, he was always quiet and sincere, taking care of our brothers- even Bran. He never gives much thought about his own happiness. I hope that with you, he would be able to find that.”

Maya sighed contentedly as Emma nodded her head.

“Alright, enough of this! Let us get you to my brother. I am sure he cannot bear the wait any longer.”
__________________________________

Averey’ breath hitched as he saw Emma.

She had never been more beautiful to him.
But he did not miss the gauntness of her cheeks, or the dimness in her eyes.

This was the first time he had seen her since the wedding was announced. There were so many things he wanted to tell her.

He wanted to apologize for forcing her into this circumstance, and lying without her consent. He wanted to explain to her, the reason behind his decision.
He wanted to assure her that she would always be taken care of; that he was immensely sorry for whatever she had to go through.

He wanted to apologize to her for all that his brother had done. But most importantly, he wanted to tell her that he loved her.
Though, he doubted they would ever have that conversation.

Emma looked at the man standing in front of her; his face eloquent of his worry and concern.

She had so much to say to him. She wished she could tell him how grateful she was for all that he had done for her and her child. She wished she could tell him that she would do anything in her power to repay him for this sacrifice.

She wished she could apologize to him for what his brother had forced him to do.
But most importantly, she wanted to tell him that she would try her best to be the woman he rightfully deserved.

Both of them faced each other with precarious faces, each unaware of the musings of the other.

But sitting in front of them, Maya could not miss the air of unease.

She gasped as the stark reality of the situation hit her.

“What is wrong?”

She shook her head at Edward’s inquiry, trying her best to not mask her emotions.

These were not two people in love.
She could have been fooled earlier, but seeing them together, avoiding each other’s gaze, there was no doubt anymore.

She had expected to see love and adoration in their eyes- for each other; had expected to see their impatience for starting a life together.
What she hadn’t expected was the extent of unfamiliarity between them.
For two people who were soon to bring a child into the world, Maya would have expected much more intimacy.

She could still remember the way Edward used to look at her when she was with child.
He had been constantly fussing around her, not keeping his eyes off of her.

But there was no such comfort between Emma and Averey.

As she looked at them, Maya could only see two people passing obscure glances at each other, not knowing how to express their emotions.

Maya endured the rest of the ceremony with a tensed face, not knowing what to do.

By the time the they were pronounced as man and wife, she knew where she would find her answers…
__________________________________

Bradford Estate;

Maya stopped in her tracks when she spotted the desolate figure of her brother, standing stoically in front of her.

As soon as the wedding was over, she had convinced Edward to leave for the Palace without her, knowing that she had to face her brother alone.

“I knew I would find you here.”

Brandon blinked his stinging eyes when he heard his sister’s voice.

So, she was here at last.

He knew he would have to face her. It was only a question of when. It seemed the time had finally come.

“Will you tell me what is wrong, Bran? Why were you not at the wedding today? It was our brother’s!”

Brandon strengthened his heart against the onslaught of emotions that her accusing tone was making him face.

“I have not come here to be met by your silence, brother. You should know better than to lie to me. Look at me!”

Brandon took a shuddering breath before turning to face his sister.
He heard her sharp intake of breath and wondered whether it was a reaction to his face or his overall state. For, he had not had a second’s sleep since the fateful night a week ago.

He could not remember the last time he had a meal. His only companions were his liquor and this meadow.

“What have you done to yourself?”

Maya’s horrified voice caused her brother to look up at her.

She had never seen Brandon so…defeated.

He looked like a man who had lost everything, and that caused her heart to rip.

She could fathom only one reason for this pathetic state of his, but even in her worst nightmares, she could not bring herself to say that.

“Why, Bran?”

Brandon wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and wipe those tears off her face. But he had lost that right.
He feared that once she knew the complete truth, she would be disgusted by his touch.
And she would be right in doing so- even he was disgusted by himself.

“Please tell me that what I am thinking is wrong. Please, Bran.”

Maya stood with bated breath, waiting for him to refute her sentence; to tell her that she was being paranoid.

But the moment never came.

His guilt-ridden glance was enough proof for her though.

Suddenly, everything made sense- his absence at the wedding, the anxiousness on everybody’s faces, Emma’s miserable eyes and how she had paled on the mention of his name.

She should have understood at that very moment!

She should have seen the hurt in her friend’s eyes; but she had been too blinded by her own happiness.

And the child- oh Lord! The child!
Was that-

She gritted her teeth and shoved him with her hands, causing him to stumble back towards the gravestone.
He made no efforts to stop her.

“How could you! Do you even know what you have done?”

Brandon swallowed the tears that threatened to fall again.

“The child…is it yours?”

Brandon clenched his jaw before nodding his head in silence.

Maya clutched her stomach, doubling over with the horror of the revelation.

“No! No, no…”

“Why is she marrying Averey, then? Why are you not there, Bran? Tell me!”

Brandon met her eyes with a broken expression. He knew there was no way to avoid this.

Maya had been there for him since they were children. He owed her the truth.

His voice was hoarse as he replied,

“I refused to acknowledge the child, Maya. I abandoned her.”

Maya could not believe her ears. She had feared for him to say this, but never had she imagined that her fears would come true in such an abhorrent manner.

“I-I don’t understand! Why would you do that? Did you not love her?”

Brandon gave her a tortured look and passed his hands through his dishevelled hair, before speaking in a helpless tone,

“Of course, I did!”

“Then why?”

Maya’s cry was carried with the soft breeze, infusing the calm meadow with her emotions.

“Because I am a coward! I am a bastard who could not cherish the one good thing in his life! I do not deserve her, Maya, I do not deserve her… Do you know what I had said to her?”

He neared his sister and gazed into her eyes as he spoke his next words,

“I told her that I do not care about the child. My own child! Can you believe that? How can I ever face her again?
I kept silent as our father talked about getting rid of my child! What kind of a man that makes me, Maya?
What kind of a person am I?”

Maya sobbed as she heard his words, not willing to believe that her own brother was capable of something so cruel.

Brandon felt his heart tear as he saw the pain on her face, but knew that he had to continue. His voice softened when he spoke again,

“She came to me, Maya. The day she realised that she was carrying our child, she came to me- hoping that I could help her, support her. But what did I do?
I outright declined to take any responsibility!
I might as well have thrown her out of the manor.”

He turned back to face the grave, letting the tears escape.

“I abandoned her when she needed me the most, Maya. I wish I could tell you why.
I wish I knew why I was so afraid to face the possibility of a future with her. I was so sure that I was not the right person for her. I knew I could never keep her happy.
I should have stopped myself in the starting only, but my selfishness caused me to keep going.
Just a few more moments with her…
I told myself each time that I would stop. But I should have known better. I am not meant for anybody’s love.
You do not know what I know, Maya. There are some horrible truths…”

Brandon shuddered as the said truth resonated in his mind.
He stopped himself at the last moment, knowing that if he continued, he would cause irreversible damage to his sister.

How was he to make her understand that he was disgusted with himself.
He was the result of a gruesome act on his father’s part. The Lord could not possibly have meant for him to be happy.

Emma did not know the truth. Maybe if she had, she would have stayed away from him- far away…

“You are right, Bran. I do not really know you.”

Brandon’s back stiffened when he noticed the hollowness of his sister’s voice.

“I do not know this man you have become. This is not the brother I know. I do not know what truth you are talking about…But I do know that nothing could ever compensate for what you did.
I know you hate our father. I have known this for years. I told you again and again, to let go of that hatred.
I warned you that it would consume you.
It is like a venom, Bran; it will eat away and rot your insides; till over the course of time, there is nothing left, but a hollow shell of the man you once used to be.
I think that for you, that time has already come.”

Brandon closed his eyes, letting her words pierce through his heart. He deserved this.

“You cannot let the past overshadow your future, brother. You ruined the life of a perfectly innocent girl, in your quest to fuel your anger. You have let our father’s past actions ruin the chances of a happy future for yourself.
Do you think our mother would be happy with that?
Would she be happy knowing that you have done to another girl, what she had to face with our father?”

Brandon felt the blood drain from his face as the implication behind her words registered in his mind.

“No…”

His hollow whisper had no effect on his sister as she continued in a defeated voice,

“Have you ever looked in the mirror, Bran? I will tell you what I see- I see a man who has become the very thing he hates. Yes, Brandon- you are no better than our father.”

Brandon staggered on his feet. No! He was not his father!

Maya did not know the whole truth. She did not know what he had done to their mother…of how they came into existence.

He would never do that to any woman!

“Throughout her life, he made her face heartache, desolation and abandonment. How is that any different from what you did to Emma?
It might even be worse.
You gave her hope and then snatched it away from her!
And now, you have the audacity to come here to our mother? For what, Bran? To seek her forgiveness?
And the child! Lord, Bran, what about the child?
Do you know how fortunate you are to have been bestowed by this gift?”

Maya’s voice broke, thinking of the life she had lost.

Brandon could not bear to hear anymore. He faced her with a desperate expression.

“Stop, Maya! Please! I am not right for her…she deserves better.”

Maya sighed resignedly, letting the wind dry her tears.

“I feel sorry for you, Bran. You may tell yourself whatever you want. You would never know whether you were right for her or not.
Do you know why?
Because you gave her no chance to prove otherwise.
It was her decision to make! And now you would never know what the future might have entailed for you. And I agree with you- she does deserve better.
She deserves someone who would take care of her and her child, and love her unconditionally; and not someone who is too afraid to fight and overcome his own demons.
You do not deserve her, because you never tried to make any efforts to fight for your love.
If you really loved her, you would have turned yourself into the man she deserved, instead of wallowing in your own pain. But no, you did not. You did not even give a thought to your own brother- a brother who had forever had your back.
How could you do that to them both?”

Brandon choked back a sob as her words hit their mark, forcing him to face the consequences of his actions.

“Who would be responsible if they are not able to love each other the way they both deserve to be loved?
What if their marriage forever remains a burden for both of them?
Would your self-pity be able to compensate for a lifetime of their misery?
For your own sake brother, I wish they will be happy.
And if you have any shame left, you will wish for the same. I will pray to the Lord to grant them love and fulfilment in this marriage. For that is the least they are entitled to.
And once they achieve that love, be ready to see Emma look at another man the way she was supposed to look at you. Be ready to hear your own child, refer to another man as his father.
Be ready for all of that, Brandon, because that is what you deserve after what you have done.
I hope you gain your senses. But I also know that it is too late.”

Maya did not wait for her brother’s words and turned on her heels, rushing to be away from him, not bearing to stand in his presence.
__________________________________

Hayworth Estate;

Emma hesitated as Scarlet passed the shift in her hands. She looked at the sheer fabric and felt her anxiety deepen.

“I understand that this has not been a traditional wedding in any sense, Emma. You do not need to be tentative around me. Consider me as your own mother. I know what it is like to be amongst strangers.”

Emma gave the other woman a short smile, not knowing what to say.

“Also, you do not need to be concerned with the bedding ceremony. It has all been arranged.”

Emma flushed with humiliation as she grasped the meaning behind her words.
Of course, there couldn’t be a wedding ceremony; not when she already had someone else’s child in her womb.

“I will leave you alone now. Have some rest. It will do you good in your condition to not exert yourself much.”

Emma nodded half-heartedly.

Scarlet passed a last smile in her direction before leaving the chambers, closing the door softly behind her.

Emma felt tears pool in her eyes as she tugged urgently at her gown, trying to get it off her.
She could not help but feel suffocated in it.

The entire ceremony had felt like a farce with the lie that they were hiding.

The day had finally taken its toll on her and she gave in to the need to cry her heart out.

She changed into her shift, making little effort to stop her tears. It was only when a soft knock sounded on the door that she composed herself quickly.

“Yes?”

Her words were soon followed by Averey’s entry in the chamber.

Her husband- for that was what he was now, looked at her with unsure and concerned eyes.

“A-Are you alright?”

Emma faced him with just as much hesitation, not knowing how to address him.

She had never had any difficulties in conversing with Averey in the past. He was always so soft-spoken and patient.
But now, she almost felt like she was meeting him for the first time.
In a way, that was true; for, this was not her friend anymore, but her husband.

“Of course.”

Her answer took some of the tension off of Averey’s shoulders. He had feared that the ceremony had been a little too demanding.

“And the child?”

Emma felt an inexplicable need to cry as soon as the question was out of his mouth.

She could see the worry in his eyes as he looked at her abdomen, and her own heart filled with thankfulness.
He cared about them; she could see it starkly in his eyes.

“He is fine as well.”

Averey smiled softly, his heart warming with pleasure when he saw the small lift of Emma’s lips.

“Emma, I-"

“Averey, I-"

They both stood facing each other, undecided; both waiting for the other to finish their sentence.

“You speak first.”

Emma nodded shortly at his words, clearing her throat before she spoke,

“I just wanted to thank you for all you did for me- for us.”

Averey frowned as he struggled to understand the meaning behind her words.
He had wanted to apologize to her for what he did, and here she was- thanking him?

“You saved my child, Averey. By stepping up to do this, you allowed me to have a chance at being a mother.
I can never repay you for that.”

Averey’s heart clenched as he saw a single tear escape her eyes.
She looked so broken.

For as long as he had known Emma, she had always been a spitfire, not hesitating to speak her mind. But the girl who stood before him was just a shadow of her former self.
He could see the distrust and humiliation in her eyes, and hated his brother for doing that to her.

He made his way to where she stood and rubbed the pad of his thumb softly against the trail of the teardrop.

“No, you do not have to repay me for anything, Emma. I do not know whether you heard the priest or not; but when I married you, I vowed to take care of you and provide for you.
This is what a husband is supposed to do. That is not something you need to be grateful for.
You once considered me your friend, did you not?”

Emma nodded her head, meeting his eyes,

“Then allow this friend to be there for you. I cannot remove the pain that my brother’s actions caused you.
I know that you are hurt, and that it might take a long time for you to heal. But know that I would be there for you at every step of the way- as your friend and confidant.
You do not love me, and that is alright. I do not expect you to. I only ask for you to be happy- for the sake of the child that you’re carrying. Isn’t he the reason you agreed to this?
Then do it for him.”

His words seemed to lift a boulder off of Emma’s chest.
He was not angry with the situation. And even if he was, he was trying his best to hide it.

Emma knew she could not expect much, not when Brandon’s actions had left her heart asunder.
But she hoped she could build a life here for her child; for Averey was right- her child’s happiness was the only thing that mattered now.

Averey saw the acceptance in her eyes and smiled softly.
He pulled back from her, trying not to make her uncomfortable with his proximity.

“Have you eaten something? Is there anything you might need? I will call for the maids.”

Emma shook her head as she wiped her face dry.

“No, I have eaten.”

“Good. Do not worry about anything and just try and get some sleep.”

Emma stood by the foot of the bed as Averey carried a bedcover to the settee near the fireplace and lay down on it.

She hesitated for another moment, wondering whether he would be comfortable there.

“If you are worried about my sleeping arrangements, rest assured. I find this the most comfortable place.”

Averey did not look at her, but she could detect the warmth of his voice.
She knew he was simply being compassionate, and her respect for him increased further. For, she knew she would not be able to bear another man’s presence beside her in the bed.

She gave a soft sigh and went to lay down, curling onto her side as she tucked the sheets around her body.

Averey fisted his hands as he heard the soft, muffled sobs coming from her.

His heart compelled him to go and comfort her, but he knew his advances would never be welcome.

He lay down on his side, gazing into the flames burning in the hearth till the sobs quietened and the darkness of the chamber was expelled by the first rays of the sun.
__________________________________

Author’s Note-

So, here we are.

I do not have much to say. Just that I am forever grateful for your encouraging comments.

As for the chapter, what do you think will happen now?

Will Emma and Averey be happy together, or will Brandon make a re-entry in their lives?

Will Maya be able to forgive her brother?
Do you agree with what she said to Brandon?

There are many reasons why I did, what I did, with Emma, Brandon and Avery's story.

As many of you have already pointed out in the comments earlier, there is a growing mentality in girls feeling like they can "fix" a "damaged bad-guy" with their "love".

This is a very toxic concept.

No one can change someone by magic. It takes time and effort. It takes will power from the man himself, and sometimes even that is not enough.

I just wanted to emphasize that it is NOT YOUR DUTY to fix someone.
You deserve someone who is able to change himself for you, and is not waiting for you to do that.

Please remember this, girls. That person may claim to love you, even truly love you in his own way; but it is NOT your duty to make him realise that.

Find yourself a man who is able to love you in the right way- a way that you deserve.

I understand the attraction of these 'toxic relationships', that had been perpetuated by movies and novels and media culture. But please let it remain just that- fiction.

That is enough ted-talk for this chapter 😅
I'll get to writing the next one.

P.S. Seven chapters are left.
Be good Samaritans and point out the typos and grammatical mistakes. It will be huge help!🙆

Till the next time!👋