I pulled over my car to the florist to pick up some flowers for Blake, then headed to his mansion. I always loved this place. The beautiful view of the city lights below.  

I pressed the doorbell, expecting Blake or his house help to answer, but When Thea opened the door, I was taken aback. She smiled and welcomed me. I was still standing outside "I am surprised to see you here."

Thea shook her head and chuckled. "So, are you planning to come inside or not?"

I entered. "Last night I spoke to your husband, and he didn't tell me anything about you."

Thea sighed. "You mean you talked to your brother."

I narrowed my eyes and asked. "Where is he by the way?"

Thea pointed at the garden. When I walked over to the garden Blake was setting the table and I swatted at his shoulder. "How could you forgot to tell me about Thea?"

Blake completely ignored what I asked and hugged me. "Hey, little sis."

I pushed him away. "Don't HEY LITTLE SIS me."

Thea was holding bread and eggs. Blake immediately rushed towards her and snatched the plates. "I told you to rest."

I squinted. "Guys, what is going on?"

Blake turned around and shook his head. "Nothing, why don't we start eating something. I am starving."

Blake handed me the mimosa and we both cheers. I asked Thea. "Yiu are not going to join us for drinks?"

Thea raised her OJ. "I am happy with this right now."

I squinted. "Mimosa is your favorite drink and OJ you hate."

Thea didn't answer me instead she looked at Blake. He cleared his throat. "We wanted to tell you something."

A strange fear coursed through my veins, and I put my drink on the table. "Please, please, don't tell you guys are parting ways."

Thea's eyes widened. "What are you saying?"

I raised my hands in the air and shook my head. "I don't want to be a part of this breakup brunch." 

Thea facepalmed. "You, goofball, we are not breaking up. We were just going through some rough patch."

Blake put his glass on the table. "First tell me where that came from?"

I stammered. "I....I don't know.... It just occurred to me when you said WE WANTED TO TELL."

Blake sighed. "You are a goofball. We wanted to tell you that you are going to be an auntie, Margot."

It took me a moment to process this unexpected news before turning to Thea in disbelief. "You let him knock you up during a rough patch?"

Blake swatted my shoulder. "Don't say that to her."

We all shared a moment of laughter, celebrating Thea and Blake's wonderful news, and I offered my heartfelt congratulations while everyone else cheered with excitement. When Blake asked me about South Shore, at first, I hesitate then I smiled "It was excellent."

Blake nodded and asked. "Last night you told me you have got some news."

I nodded but Blake added. "Is it about the office?"

I shook my head. "Actually, you have stolen my thunder because thy baby bomb is way too excited as compared to my news."

I looked at Thea and then at Blake. I took a deep breath. "I am seeing someone."

Thea smiled and looked at Blake. "See, I was right."

I squinted. "Excuse?"

Blake showed his elder brother protectiveness. "Who is the guy?"

I opened my mouth to answer Blake, but Thea's I was right comment echoed in my mind and I looked at her. "What do you mean I was right?"

Thea smiled. "I told your brother that you are seeing someone."

I stammered. "When...when did you see me with Kev?"

Thea's eyes widened. "What? are you seeing Kev?"

I squinted. "What? Didn't you know about this?"

Thea laughed and shook her head. "No, I didn't know about Kev, but I only had a girl's instinct that you are seeing someone."

Blake raised his brows. "Mar, are you sure about Kev?"

I sighed and looked into Blake's eyes. "Trust me Blake, I have never been this amount of sure ever in my life."

Thea excited stand up. "I am so happy for you both."

Blake abruptly held Thea. "What are you doing?"

Thea got annoyed. "What I just stood up." she looked at me "Please tell your brother I have not become a crystal doll."

I shook my head. "Nope, I am with my brother in this matter."

Thea snarled. "I was planning to show you the sonograms but now I have changed my mind."

we laughed and then Blake showed me the sonogram and Thea pointed at a small sot. "This is a baby."

I squinted. "But this is dot."

Thea gave me a hard stare and I immediately looked at the dot. "Aunty Mar loves you, my darling."

After about an hour I said goodbye to them and climbed in my car to headed back home. I looked at Dane's mansion and I couldn't head back without saying hello to him. I knew where I can find Dane, so I walked straight to his home office and knocked at the door.

Dane looked up and smiled. He asked me to come in with his hands.

While stepping in I told him I was at Blake's for brunch and on my way back to home I decided to say hello to him.

Dane removed his glasses. "I am happy you came to meet."

I sat across the table. "How are you?"

Dane nodded. "Since Kev came back, I am perfectly fine. How is your magazine going?"

I smiled. "Everything is as per schedule."

Dane leaned back. "If Andrew were alive, we would have been very proud of you and Blake."

I shook my head. "Whatever we are today it's all because of you, Dane. If you hadn't taken our responsibilities, we would have never made it. Das was lucky to have you."

Dane flicked his hand. "Andrew, Ruth, me, and your mom Lilian were high school friends. When Andrew and Lilian found out about Blake, they told me and Ruth first before sharing the news with your grandparents. The same happened when Ruth and I found out about Kev. We informed Andrew and Lilian first."

I squinted slightly, reflecting on their close bond. "You all must have had such wonderful times together. You must miss them all dearly."

Dane sighed. "We all had lost it after Lilian's sudden death, but Andrew was the one who brought us all back to normal life. We should be the ones to console him, but he made you and Blake his strength."

I smiled. "But time heals everything. right?"

Dane shook his head. "Wrong."

I squinted and then he explained. "Time never heals anything. When you lose a loved one, it leaves a void in your life. Over time, you simply learn to live with that void."

Dane's words reminded me of what Dr. Goodwin had discussed regarding the void in my life. It struck me that I hadn't visited Dr. Goodwin in quite some time and hadn't even noticed that my nightmares had stopped. During Kev's week-long stay, I had neglected to take my medication, yet I had been feeling remarkably well despite the intense workload on the magazine. I was wrong all of my life about my nightmares I always linked them to my dad's passing.

As I stood in Dane's office, feeling overwhelmed by his words and my own thoughts, I abruptly checked the time on my watch and staged urgency. Before Dane could respond, I told him I am getting late for something and hurried out of his office.

I decided to go at my place to check my last appointment with Dr. Goodwin. When I opened my calendar, I got to know I have missed last three appointments. Also, it's been a week I am not taking any medicine. Kev's strong presence in my life seemed to suffocate me suddenly, leading me to question if I was truly that needy.

I sat on the edge of my bed and started thinking about Kev's power over me. My phone showing Kev's name on my screen I didn't want to pick up but my hands betrayed me and I picked his call. "Where are you?"

I controlled my crying voice. "Tonight, I'll be staying in my place because I need to sort something."

Kev asked. "What is it that you can't do at my place?"

I sighed. "Kev please..."

Keb interrupted me. "Whatever it is you can do here."

When I started whining, he asked. "Mar, what is it you are not telling me?"

I clenched my jaw. "Nothing."

Kev responded. "I am coming." then he ended our call.

After a few minutes he was at my door and pointing at me. "You were the one who suggested, that when things go south, don't distance yourself."

I left the door open and walked inside.

Kev followed me. "Tell me what is it?"

I winced. "I am having trouble finding right words to tell you."

Kev held my hands. "There is no need to find right words, Mar. Tell me what's going on?"

I whined. "It's been eight year I have been taking medicines prescribed by a psychiatrist and still I am. "

Kev was looking at me with his rigid plus poker face. I covered my mouth. "Fuck, you already knew this. right?"

Kev caressed my hands. "A little."

I squinted. "How much?"

Kev pressed his lips. "I saw your prescriptions."

I gasped. "What the fuck? When did you go through my stuff?"

Kev shook his head. "I never go through your any stuff."

I asked. "Then how did you know?"

Kev told me about that night's incident when he accidently saw my prescriptions. 

I asked. "Were even planning to tell me about it?"

Kev shook his head. "Never."

I asked. "When you knew about it so why didn't you ask anything?"

Kev squared his shoulders. "I was waiting for you to tell me about it by yourself."

I didn't know what to say but Kev continued. "Now tell me what was bothering you?"

I blew my nose. "It feels like need you in my life. You are holding some kind of power over me."

Kev asked. "What are you talking about, Mar?"

I sighed. "To have a peaceful sleep I need you in my life."

Kev was looking at me, so I added. "I have had a nightmare problem since you left Glisten and that you came back in my life nightmares stopped."

Kev shook his head. "How is that even possible?"

I told him about my missed appointments and stop taking medicines unintentionally. Kev embraced me in his arms. "You know what?"

I nodded. Kev chuckled. "According to Renna I always find you in every girl and you are the reason I never had a serious girlfriend."

I asked. "so, what should we do now?"

Kev brushing my hair. "I think we should stop fighting and start love each other unconditionally."