🌺The Promises That We Keep🌺

Chapter 74.

"Take this vial now, and the other tomorrow. It will make you bleed but that's what needs to happen to ensure you won't get pregnant okay?" I hand Angeles the two vials and look to her red, puffy, tear-stained face.

Her chin wobbles and so does mine, I pull her close and hug her small frame.

"It will be okay. We all make mistakes Angeles, but we learn and grow from them. This isn't your first, and certainly won't be your last mistake you will make. It how we deal and make the mistakes right that teaches us valuable life lessons."

"But..." 

"No buts, you were manipulated by a boy pretending to be a man. He took advantage of your innocence and vulnerability Angeles.
He blackmailed you so that if Xavier finds out and fires him, he will spread all the sordid details throughout the town and especially to your parents and sisters. I cannot let him do that and for him to ruin your families name. Also, hinder your chance of marrying in the future. But mark my words Angeles, he will pay for this, however long it takes."
The image of Xavier picking Issac up by the collar as his fist connects to Issac's nose brings immense pleasure as a smirk washes over my face.

"Why do men always get away with these things Nova?"

Sighing I take her face into my hands, "I don't know, but one day I hope that it will change. But for now, we have to do the best we can."

One day Issac, one day you will pay for your actions. Preferably in pain.

---

Xavier

"Father, I'm losing her. I've only just got her and she's slipping away from me, I...I don't know what to do." I cough hoping that the crack in my voice isn't too obvious. But really who cares, my heart is cracking into two.
I could see in her eyes she was lying about being unfaithful. Yet a part of me is internally panicking that maybe she was telling the truth. That part I'm trying my best to swallow down before my heart falls to the floor with a pitiful thud.

I watch as father is thinking, his sombre expression doesn't help my anxiety and a part of me wants to shake him by the shoulders and beg for his help.

After what feels like an eternity, he clears his throat, "Imagine being in Nova's shoes, Xavier. One can only wonder that she's struggling to make sense of everything and where she fits into this world."

"I realise that but -"

"No but's Xavier, She's a girl of only eighteen. Yes, she had to grow up fast with the abuse she endured with her father, but, look at what she's had to deal with these last three months. Her whole world has been turned on its head and spun around at an alarming speed. Just when she thought everything was going to be okay, she finds out about Hannah and the baby. Then what happened to Oscar, she's going through inner turmoil at this moment in time.

"Father..I-"

"No son, you need to be patient with her. She will find her way back to you, and she will. I don't doubt that for a second. True love always does."

True love always does?

I just hope he's right because the thought of losing her is killing me slowly and painfully inside.

But you deserve it, Xavier. You fucked everything up and still keep messing up. You don't deserve someone like Nova, you never did.

Not long after, father started to tire and fell asleep with a smile on his face. Father always seems to see the best out of a situation, regardless of how dire the circumstances are. I wish I was that hopeful.

As soon as I make my way down the corridor, a flash of brown curly hair catches my attention, followed by a panicked cry and a soft painful groan that reminds me of women in the later stages of childbirth.

My anxiety peaks as I realise Albert is holding someone in his arms, then he slowly turns around,

That's when I see her, her strawberry blonde hair and a face full of freckles.

He's holding a deathly pale Angeles in obvious pain.

Angeles.

No. No. No. No.

Then, I notice the blood soaking her dress from the waist down and dripping slowly onto Alberts shoes.

My blood pumps through my veins as my body goes cold.

"Angeles." I croak, My voice catches in my throat and I step forward at the scene before me. I've seen countless sights in my lifetime, but this one will forever be engraved behind my eyes and haunt me.

A sob eurrups from Albert's throat as he holds her a little closer.

"Please, Xavier. Please, please, help her." As I watch my youngest brothers chin wobble as the devastation is apparent all over his face.

Something snaps inside as tears burn my eyes. "WHAT HAPPENED TO HER! WHAT DID YOU DO?!" I yell, snatching a limp Angeles out of Albert's arms and start to run towards the stairs, I need to get her to the clinic and stop the bleeding. NOW.

"I didn't! I found her, she was." But Alberts voice breaks and sobs replace his words.
He's running with me as everything seems to go in slow motion.

What happened to her?

Was she attacked?

She can't die, she can't die. I can't let her die.

I will never forgive myself and Nova will never forgive me if I let her die.

I'm meant to keep her safe.

"Angeles, stay with me. Stay with me, goddamnit!" But as I watch her eyes roll back and her breaths get slower, I know I'm going to need a miracle to save her.

Just then something drops out of her limp hand and smashes onto the ground. There lie two glass vials in pieces on the stone floor. The exact same vials I gave Nova only hours before.

Both completely empty.

A/N

Hi guys!! I'm so very sorry that you've waited months for this next chapter. I've been going through some personal stuff but it is my intention to finish this book! I will try my hardest to get a chapter up once a week. Thank you for all your kind messages and support! Sorry, it's not the best chapter, I need to get back in the writing zone after taking a long break!

Love you all❤

Hope you are all staying safe❤

Sam ❤❤