One hundred and eight- Home

One hundred and eight- Home


SARAH PIERCE

After a month, I was transferred to St. Thompson Hospital in Lanville city. 

Contrary to my desire to return home with Nathaniel and Raya, the psychiatrists in St. Thompson decided it would be best if I were an inpatient because my charts sent by the previous hospital weren’t looking good. 

I spent two more months there, breathing in hospital air day in and day out. 

So, I can tell you for a fact that the past twelve weeks have been mostly shit. 

I’ve had to fight a crazy, and I mean, crazy level of terror. 

Some days, after pushing through nightmares of that man’s sickening face, I’d wake up with twisting pain in my stomach. The first time that happened, the doctors thought something was physically wrong. But it wasn’t physical at all. It was my mind and body reminding me of the pain I felt when hunger and thirst got the best of me in that smelly, smelly prison. 

There were also days I kept perceiving the strong reek of urine on my body. I’d find myself rushing into the bathroom multiple times in a day to get rid of the smell. And I’d never believe the doctors and nurses when they told me I smelled like the most precious flower in the world. I also didn’t believe even when Nathaniel assured me.

And of course, sadly, sometimes seeing Nathaniel triggered me into feeling immense anger and hatred. Those situations were the worst because I often turned into a possessed soul. I wasn’t myself at all.

And crazily, there were days I experienced all three at the same time. And sometimes even more- The flashes of Rosaline’s blood splattering, the visual remembrance of that dirty room and even the memory of that man’s footsteps.

Right now, I do feel better. 

Thanks to the treatments and even the occasional presence of Nathaniel, Raya and Amir, I’ve been having fewer episodes. Because of that, I was discharged and switched to outpatient treatment today. 

But it’s overall still super scary because something might go wrong at any time and trigger me back into that loophole of pain. 

I strongly pray that doesn’t happen. I don’t want it to.

In the past three months, I’ve managed to show Raya the normal side of me. I don’t want a situation where she finally witnesses the battle I’ve been struggling with. It’s already bad enough that Nathaniel has had to deal with a great share of my screams and fears. 

“Your mum sent a message,” Nathaniel broke into my thoughts as he drove into the garage of our home. “She won’t be here till tomorrow.”

“She has been weirdly distant,” I replied while glancing behind to see Raya busy with scribbling into her notepad. “Do you think it’s because of your father?”

“Maybe. He managed to escape from where she hid him.”

Keenly, I observed Nathaniel. 

A while back, I overheard him on a phone call to Mr Ray. And from that discussion, it was clear that Nathaniel knew my mother killed his. And that she still had a vendetta against his father.

It would be wiser not to bring it up, right?

But I’m slightly worried since I don’t know what his exact thoughts are. Even though Evelyn Storm wasn’t the best human being, she was his mother, and her untimely death might not have happened if my mother had not sought vengeance. 

“Love?”

“Hmm?” I stirred out of my thoughts and saw that the door on my side was open, and he was standing with an arm resting on the hood. “What?”

The worry in his eyes was blatant. “Don’t be concerned with that. My father can’t make any move even if he wishes to. I’ve made sure he’s lost all access to his connection and wealth. And…” His eyes now wrinkled with a smile, and he leaned closer. “I was hoping to keep this a secret till your birthday, but it won’t hurt to say it now.”

A smile also formed on my lips. “It sounds interesting already.”

He gently pushed back some strands of my hair and continued, “Five weeks ago, I started a side mission of retracing the source of my family’s wealth. It was surprisingly easy to find out that your grandfather was truly the owner of most of the businesses. Since then, we’ve been busy with paperwork that will transfer ownership of all those ventures to you and Raya.”

I gasped. “Nathaniel… I mean… You don’t really have to do that. My mother’s the-”

“She permitted me to do this. She also agreed that there’s no one else who deserves this but you and Raya. I know it’s barely enough compensation for everything, but I think I can live with myself better after this.”

The excitement that the news brought was mighty. If I weren’t seated, I would be jumping like I have springs on my feet. “So, our daughter’s now a billionaire?”

He laughed. “Yes. Isn’t that amazing? She became a billionaire before me.”

“Wait. You aren’t?”

“I’m almost there. I was really lucky with the growth of S.L. Storm. Fighting my father so he wouldn’t have control helped me greatly. If not, he might have ruined the business before the first fiscal year.”

“You worked really hard, Nathaniel. And I’m super proud of you,” I replied. His amazing hard work was something I loved observing when we were dating. And I’m really glad everything worked out for him despite the obstacles he had to tackle.

“Thank you, my love.” 

“You’re welcome, my spring.”

After seconds of flashing dreamy smiles at each other, our lips met for a swift round of heart-stirring pecks. 

“No kiss if you don’t kiss me, Mummy,” Raya commented from the back seat.

And with laughter that jerked his shoulders bursting out of him, Nathaniel hid his face in my neck, his breath hot and doing things to me. 

“Raya, are you mad at Mummy? Because I haven’t kissed you today?”

Her nose scrunched in fake anger. “You only say hello my baby. No kiss, mummy.”

“Oh God.” I slapped my forehead. “How could I have forgotten such an important thing?” 

“But Raya, you got a kiss from me,” Nathaniel added when he recovered from his mirth. 

“Heh.”

“Heh?” Nathaniel chuckled. “My kiss was heh?”

“Just stop, Thaniel. It’s obvious Mummy’s kisses are the best,” I teased. 

“My love!” he gasped dramatically. 

And I shrugged. “It is what it is, Thaniel.”

“I see. I see. Nice one. That’s how you two want to play it, yeah? Alright.” He was now standing upright, his hands clapping. “Alright. Bring it on. Very soon, Raya will switch teams. Let’s see if you’ll boast of your kisses then.”

“We shall see, won’t we?”

He replied with a loud laugh, and my soul felt even more at home. 

“I love this,” he eventually said, his hands graciously leading me out of the car. “This is the life I’ve been desiring to have.”

“Me too.”

Soon, he was carrying Raya, and together, we approached the door leading to the house, which I’ve actually missed so much.

Isn’t that funny? Months ago, I was planning to pack out. But life dealt me some cards that have now made me realise where I truly belong. 

“We didn’t forget any of your stuff at the hospital, did we?” he asked as our collective steps approached the room.

“I don’t think so.”

“How do you feel?”

“Not bad, honestly.” My hand slid into his, and I leaned against his arm. “The news about the ownership made things better.”

“I’m happy to hear that.  I know the meds are very vital, but I’m hoping a time comes when you don’t have to rely on them.”

“I hope the same.” 

Nathaniel has been very patient and loving throughout these trying times. And I especially love how attentive and fatherly he has been with Raya.

I think his taking a year’s break from his company helped a lot. Since we decided to hold off on Raya going to school till a new academic session begins, it was necessary to have one of us actively taking care of her. 

Clearly, it couldn’t be me, so Nathaniel made sure to take on both of our roles as finely as possible.

But, while I admired his efforts, he often thought he wasn’t doing enough. And I think that’s because he still beats himself up for not being there for us years ago. 

“Nathaniel?”

“Yes?”

I sat on the bed and, with Raya cradled in his arms, he settled next to me. 

“I love you.”

A shaky, joyous breath audibly pushed out of his lungs. The next second, his hand rested on mine, and he replied with, “I love you.”

“I feel like you want to say more,” I added, my head resting against his shoulder because it was like a perfect place of rest to me. 

“I also feel you have more to say,” he replied. “I guess I’ll find out more on our wedding day?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t wait.”

With a smile playing on my lips, I closed my eyes and my soul attested to the fact that I was truly with my home. 

No one and nothing will be able to tear me away from them. 

\~~~

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Of all the stories I’ve written, this is the first one where the leads haven’t had bedroom fun after one hundred plus chapters. 

Maybe that’s why even I get excited every time I hint at sexual tension between Sarah and Nathaniel. 

That’s why, while writing chapter 117, I found myself wondering if the readers of this story ever expected to have steamy chapters delivered once in a while. 

Mmm…

Before I babble away about sex, my precious readers, we now have two chapters (it might even be three) left for this story to be completed. 

These characters deserve peace (and a billionaire dollar worth of ownership) and more peace after everything, and I shall deliver them. 

I especially cannot wait for their wedding scene. I think I might cry too!

Anyway, my loves, this is all from me for now. 

I’m glad that even though I have recently found it harder to do daily updates, I have managed to stick to my initial plan of uploading at least five chapters per week. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Much love,

Lola. 💜

Also, much love from the latest billionaire in town, Raya Pierce a.k.a Mummy’s baby.