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

“Celine,” Kaleth said softly, breaking the comfortable silence. 


“Yes?” I asked, lifting my head to meet his gaze. His blue eyes, usually so full of life, now seemed burdened with an unspoken weight. 


“I need to tell you something,” he said, his voice hesitant. 


“Go ahead,” I encouraged, though my chest tightened. 


“I’m leaving the country,” he began. “For my treatment… and for school.” 


I sat up straighter, alarm flashing through me. “When?” 


The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My stomach churned, but I managed to keep my voice steady. “When will you be back?” 


He hesitated. “I’m not sure. My dad said maybe three years.” 


“Three years?” My voice broke despite my efforts to stay calm. “Kaleth, that’s a long time. What… what about us?” 


His eyes flickered with something I couldn’t quite place—was it regret? Guilt? He looked away, his hands clenching the bedsheet. “That’s what I need to talk to you about.” 


I waited, dreading what would come next. 


“Celine,” he began again, his tone low and strained. “You mean so much to me, but… I can’t do this anymore.” 


“I mean us,” he said, his words sharper now, as if he was trying to force himself to say them. “It’s over.” 


“What?” My voice cracked, disbelief washing over me. 


“I can’t be with you anymore,” he said firmly, though his voice wavered at the edges. 


Tears welled up in my eyes as I searched his face. “Kaleth, you don’t mean that. Why are you saying this?” 


He sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead as though the weight of his thoughts was too much to bear. “Because it’s what’s best for both of us.” 


“No,” I said, shaking my head. “No, it’s not. What’s really going on? Is it the baby? Are you scared?” 


“It’s not just the baby,” he snapped, then softened almost immediately. “It’s everything, Celine. You and the baby deserve stability, a life without someone who’s broken like me.” 


“You’re not broken,” I argued, tears now streaming down my face. 


“You don’t understand,” he said, his voice rising slightly. “I’ve made mistakes, and I can’t let you or the baby get caught in the fallout. I’m leaving because I need to fix myself, and I can’t do that with you holding onto me.” 


“Kaleth, we can fix this together,” I pleaded. “You don’t have to do this alone. We’re stronger together.” 


“No,” he said firmly, his jaw tightening. “Celine, you need to let me go. Please.” 


His eyes, despite his harsh words, were swimming with unshed tears. It was as though he wanted me to fight him, to refuse to walk away, but he wouldn’t let me see that part of him. 


“You don’t mean this,” I whispered. “I know you don’t.” 


“I do,” he said, though the crack in his voice betrayed him. “You need to leave, Celine. For your sake. For the baby’s.” 


I stood, my knees shaking, my heart breaking into pieces. “If this is what you want…” My voice faltered. “If this is really what you want, Kaleth, then fine. But I’ll never stop loving you.” 


He looked away, silent, as I turned and walked out of the room. 


As the door clicked shut behind me, I paused in the hallway. Something about the way he had avoided my gaze, the way his voice had cracked… it didn’t sit right with me. 


I clenched my fists, determination replacing the sorrow. Whatever Kaleth was hiding, I would uncover it. And no matter what, I wasn’t going to let him bear this alone.


Chapter 11: broken heart