alkalimsoo

Celine never imagined that an ordinary life could become a distant dream. Fleeing from a shadowy past that left scars on her soul, she finds herself tangled in a web of deceit, sacrifice, and a desperate quest for freedom. 

When Cleo, her fiercely loyal and quick-witted best friend, staged an elaborate deception at the hospital—feigning paralysis to mislead their pursuers—Celine realized how far they would have to go to protect her twin daughters, Katherine and Catherine. The escape was swift and perilous, culminating in their arrival at Glenavare, a secluded town surrounded by dense woods. But safety came at a cost. 

Cleo’s calculated risk created the illusion that they had been left behind, allowing them to vanish into a quiet life. While Cleo healed from her staged injuries, she played the role of the vigilant protector, her mind always working to secure their fragile peace. Celine, once a disciplined army trainee, adapted to a simple life, pouring all her love into her daughters. Together, they tried to build a semblance of normalcy.

Years later, the twins thrive in Glenavare, their laughter filling the cobblestone streets and their innocence untouched by the secrets their family hides. But the weight of the past presses heavily on both Celine and Cleo. Whispers of unresolved threats and lingering danger haunt their quiet moments, reminding them that their sanctuary is not guaranteed forever.

Cleo and Celine’s bond is tested as they navigate the delicate balance between normalcy and vigilance. Cleo wrestles with her lingering guilt over her harsh methods, knowing every calculated move was for their survival. Celine, on the other hand, struggles to reconcile her instincts to shield her daughters with the harsh reality that they might always live in fear. 

As secrets begin to unravel and old enemies stir, Celine and Cleo realize that their carefully built refuge might not be as impenetrable as they thought. They are forced to confront their own pasts.

Beneath The Warmth of Deceit

Why does my heart keep racing like this? How can I make it stop? What have I done to deserve this relentless pounding in my chest? 


Kaleth’s eyes, a striking shade of blue, seemed to pierce through me, holding me captive. His grip around my waist was firm, yet not suffocating. It was as if he needed to anchor himself, to steady something unraveling inside him. My body, unable to resist the pull, surrendered completely. His warmth seeped into me, but my heart refused to settle. It thudded against my ribs, each beat more frantic than the last, as if trying to match the chaos I could feel radiating from him. 


Time itself felt like it had come to a standstill. The faint sounds of life around us—the chirp of crickets, the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze—faded into the background. All that remained was the intensity of his presence. His eyes, so vivid, told stories of strength, but beneath them, the dark shadows betrayed a restless soul. The faint bags under his eyes hinted at sleepless nights, battles fought in silence, and burdens he had yet to share. 


“Celine…” His voice cracked, raw and hesitant. “Please, tell me everything will be okay.” 


The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine. There was a vulnerability in his tone, one I wasn’t used to hearing from him. It made my chest ache. I wanted to ask him why—why he needed me to reassure him when he’d always been the strong one. But I couldn’t. The pain in his eyes held me back. I could see it clearly now, a weary heart too tired to carry its weight alone. 


“Everything will be okay, Kaleth,” I said softly, willing my voice to sound steady. 


His grip on me tightened as if he feared I might slip away. He pulled me closer, and our bodies melded in a way that felt natural yet intense. His head dipped slightly, resting against the curve of my shoulder, and I could feel his breath, warm and uneven, against my neck. His heart raced, its frantic rhythm mirroring my own, until I began to wonder if our hearts were speaking to each other in their shared chaos. 


Gently, I rubbed his back, hoping the small gesture would soothe him. It was my unspoken way of saying, *I’m here, no matter what.* Slowly, his breathing evened out, and the wild tempo of his heart began to calm. His grip on me softened, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he lingered, as if my presence was the only thing keeping him grounded. 


When he finally lifted his head, his eyes met mine again, softer this time but no less intense. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible, yet heavy with meaning. 


I wanted to ask him what was wrong, why he seemed so weighed down. But the words died on my tongue. Something in his expression told me he wasn’t ready to share. Not yet. 


As we walked home hand in hand, his thumb brushed against mine absently, his gaze distant. I glanced at him from time to time, hoping for a clue, but his face was unreadable. His silence only deepened my worry. What was he hiding? 


When we reached home at exactly 6 PM, the familiar smell of dinner greeted us. My mom had prepared everything, leaving me to set the table and call my dad. Kaleth offered to help, but his movements were sluggish, his mind clearly elsewhere. 


Later, as I lay in bed, his image dominated my thoughts. His tired eyes, the way he clung to me as if I were his lifeline, the unspoken pain in his voice—all of it haunted me. 


*What could he be going through?* I wondered, my chest tightening. *What is it that Kaleth can’t say?* 


My heart began racing again, mirroring the pace it had kept earlier. I clutched the blanket closer, whispering a silent prayer that whatever troubled him, he wouldn’t have to face it alone.


Chapter 1: Beating Hearts