Dedicated to all those lovely reader who waited.
And it's a long update dearest 3k+ so, enjoy.

Happy reading or Sad reading. It depends...

**************

Jeremy stands there frozen not knowing what to do? His heart cracked even further. He feels numb. He has no idea how to react anymore. Was he in denial all this time? Everything around him collapsed. Love?

Did Catherine actually say love? Is she mocking him? Her weight on his shoulder feels like a burden to him now. 

Why did she say something like that now? Is it because of the past? Did not he come clear that she had nothing to do with it? After the numbness he felt a sudden rush of feeling too much for him to handle. Being emotionally unavailable and cold to people come with its side effects as the truth he did not want to acknowledge came out. 

Catherine felt pity that's why she is trying to console him, Jeremy chuckled as a tear rolled down his cheek. His hurt turned into something akin to madness. He was feeling rage as the initial hurt passed away. After everything she did how can she claim that she loved him? 

Jeremy grabbed her hand removing her arms around him. He painfully squeezed her hand," Are you pitting me?" He snapped at her. Her eyes widened in horror. He looked more angry now.

"I fucking told you that has nothing to do with you" Jeremy yelled at her shaking her.

"J.. Jeremy y..you are h..hurting me" she said.

He let her go and punched the table. His hand bleed but he did not feel any pain initially. The only thing he is feeling right now is numbness which is spreading like a wildfire. Catherine was messing with his head. Her eyes widened in horror.

"Why damn it? Why?" Jeremy crumbled down. She stands there frozen. Tears spill from his eyes. 

"She is pregnant" he said out loud reminding him or her he lost that sense for a while now.

"Why are you telling me that you love me?" Jeremy yelled at her, blood coming out of his hand as he pushed the table breaking everything in his desk.

"Jeremy you're bleeding please stop" Catherine whispered as her hand shook and tears filled her eyes. He shook his head, almost warning her to stay away. At least the pain he was feeling telling him, he is alive.

"Leave me alone. Go away" her heart broke further.

"Jeremy" Catherine whispered his name as her heart broke too.

For the first time Jeremy was letting her see how broken he was. 5 painful long lonely years where he stayed away from everyone trying to keep himself sane crashed on him.He was fine being alone because he knows as long as he is alone no one can hurt him. No one but her. One word from her breaks down his walls. The walls he created to protect himself. She is the only woman he loved or still loves.

Jeremy needs to stop himself from breaking down in front of her, her health matters. He can't break down now. Now  all of the time he punched the wall after standing up. She gasped.

Jeremy can not think about those painful days. He has trust issues because of that till this day. He does not have any friends in his college. He was in his own world without noticing how much he hurt his hand.

Did Catherine really think he needed her pity? All those painful lonely days he never once thought she was at fault for it. He might be angry at her for not supporting him but not once he thought about this. Was his love this weak? The bitterness rose from within.

"Please stop, don't hurt yourself Jeremy '' Catherine tried to touch his hand but he snatched it. His anguish comes out as spiteful words. Words he did not mean it.

"I don't want your love. I don't love you. Truth to be told I hate you, I fucking hate you" Jeremy yelled all those lies bitterly. Her eyes widened and tears filled her eyes. 

"Get lost. Why are you still here? Go right this instant Catherine Rosella Walmart, before I do something I might regret later. Get out Get out right this instant" He yelled, Cassandra flinched. Everything around him crumbled. He lost at last. The last hope he was holding vanished that what was between them during school days was true love. She sobbed between him and the wall.

"Don't make me regret it please" He pleaded. Her eyes widened and tears filled her eyes. 

"I never pitied you Jeremy" Catherine looked at him. He shakes his head. She touched his hand softly, her inside clench looking at him this broken. She hugged him tightly. He still kept the urge to push her away as she was pregnant.

"I hate you" his words make her let go of him. This time he told her coldly. He grabbed her paled face looking straight, " I wished I never met you" her breath hitched.

"No" Catherine shakes her head in denial.

"Jeremy I am sorry" she cried.

"I wished you have married Coltrane" 

"I wished I never loved you" Catherine shook her head, she breathed harder. Her hand trembled as she tried to keep her hold on to and from some words. Deny him and tell him that she knows he is lying and that's what she did after taking a deep breath.

"You are lying" Catherine looked straight at him.

"Am I now?" It took every ounce of his willpower to look straight in her eyes.

Catherine looked down silently and took a seat on his couch. He stood still looking at her from the corner of his eyes. She was mumbling something other than that everything was silent.

His cellphone ring Jeremy looked at the caller ID. He stared at the number.

"Hello?" His voice hoarse so he cleared his voice.

"Is this Mr.McGill?" She asked.

"Yes? Who is this?" He said he was confused because not many people knew about his personal number.

"I am Dr.Brown. Your wife has an appointment today morning? I need to talk to you about that" Dr.Brown said.

"What is it doctor?" Jeremy tensed up.

"This is not normal Mr.McGill. Her pregnancy can put her in danger" He rubbed his head.

"I have said it before and I am telling you now. She needs to take care of herself and the baby both physically and mentally. Her occasional bleeding is not a good sign but I don't know how much time we can avoid the inevitable"

"Given the situation I think, you both need to discuss whether you want to be a parent or not. She needs to get out of her depression mentally she is not ready to be a mother. That itself works as a major factor. Other than that she has low blood pressure. We need to be extremely careful about that. I prescribed her some prenatal medication she needs to take on time. Other than that I suggest her weekly checkup so we can check on the baby till she crosses her first trimester" His heart falls to his stomach. He felt cold. He told her all those things if something happened to her or the baby he will never forgive himself.

"Thank you Doctor" Jeremy whispered. She was still sitting in the same position.

After a long pause he came back to his senses. He picked up his phone and hesitantly called James, "hello" 

"I... I want you to come with a glass of milk, warm milk and ask Rose to stay. I was angry and I will apologize to her, later" James was shocked. Now he knows why Rose was crying when she rushed out of his room. He bit his lips. James was at fault she was doing her job correctly.

"Okay, Sir" He replied.

"Oh! And make sure you deliver the milk personally" Jeremy said those words. He does not want anyone else to know about this mess.

Dr.Brown words ring in his head. He wanted the baby to be saved even if it happened by accident. Was he being selfish after all that he said and did? Was he betraying his best friend?

Jeremy knows he was,  after all he is a bastard which he proved from time to time to her at least. But can't he make a wish. A wish for the baby to be delivered safe. He will protect her or him and love them unconditionally for that he is going to take responsibility. 

And that's what he will do. He sighed before making his way to her and sitting down beside her. Catherine froze shifting away from him.

***************

Cassandra wanted to think about the situation she is in but she felt tired.

The next time she woke up, it was already early in the morning blinking her eyes. The painkiller was doing a wander as she slept peacefully for a while without any nightmares.

Now that sleeping was not in her list to do. She needs to think about it all. The situation with Austin has sorted out. So, she could get back to her cafe and get out of this house.

But she promised him that she will go with him to the chamber, after that she will tell him what she has decided to do.

But the thought of seeing a psychiatrist made her shiver. She needs her medicine to relieve her nightmare. That's what she did. She takes those pills at least this will keep her anxiety at bay for a while.

Cassandra sighed, she might be more tense than him. She freshens up by taking a bath. 

When Coltrane made his way to the dining table, she was already eating. He silently eats his breakfast.

"How are you doing?" Coltrane asked after finishing his food.

"Fine" Cassandra answered stiffly. They took his car to the clinic. She looked at the building and her eyes widened in horror.

"Why are we here?" Cassandra asked abruptly after keeping silence throughout the journey.

"My appointment?" Coltrane said he was confused by her sudden change in behaviour.

"Under whom?" She gritted her teeth. 

"Dr.Ernest?" She groaned. This can't be happening.

"Why? What happened?" Coltrane asked worried at her sudden changes.

"Nothing" Cassandra answered hurriedly, taking a deep breath. The only person she cannot handle might be him.

Him.

Coltrane nodded his head before making his way to the lobby. After confirming his appointment, he made his way to his chamber. She silently counted numbers. 

It's not like she particularly hated Dr.Ernest it was just that when she looked at him. It feels like he knows everything and that annoying smile which he will throw at everyone is what annoys her the most. Here people are trying to share their problems and he will smile at them.

Coltrane knocked and she flinched hearing a "come in".

They entered and she looked around rather than looking at the man himself. It has not changed at all.

"Cassandra?" The surprise was pretty clear. She gave him a tight lip smile. Dr.Ernest completely ignored Coltrane who was looking at them shocked. He has no idea that they know each other.

"Dr.Ernest we are not that close that you will call me by my first name" Cassandra glared at him. He just smiled at her.

"You are welcome to call me...." 

"No thank you. And we are not here for me" Cassandra cut him off. Ernest almost looked disappointed. Almost is the key word.

Coltrane looked at her in particular this is the first time he saw the old Cassandra which he knows. He feels uncomfortable about it. He did not like this fact at all.

Coltrane shook his head before turning to Dr.Ernest. Who greeted him and extended his hand. He smiled before shaking his hand.

They exchange their pleasantries. 

"We can start our session if you are ready" Dr.Ernest smiled at Coltrane to ease his nervousness.

"It will be fine" Cassandra touched his hand reassuringly. Ernest looked at her carefully. She looked more nervous than him. He can gauge by her action that Coltrane might be someone special if she is here against her better judgment.

"Can she stay here?" Coltrane asked, taking her hand, squeezing it. She flinched. 

"No, privacy matters" Her eyes wander at Ernest almost grateful. If the patient wants to share his personal information with someone else it's their choice especially when it's a joined appointment. But given her past medical record and the way she is behaving. Ernest does not want her to go through that.

Ernest knows he is mixing personal feelings into this but for him, Cassandra is special. It might be because she can resist him to some extent. 

Cassandra is among those few patients who have strong willpower which he respects. For him she is a strong, beautiful woman who overcomes her depression with many trials and errors. If only he knew in what mental state she is in right now.

"We will now start your session" Cassandra takes that as a cue for her to disappear.

"Wait Cassandra" She is still trying to stop herself from glaring at him.

"What?" She might sound a bit rude but that was reassuring to Coltrane.

"I am free after this session. May I invite you for a cup of coffee?" Ernest smiled at her sweetly. Too sweet for her to digest. Coltrane stared at him, shocked. Dr.Ronald Ernest is famous for keeping everything to himself. He is considered to be asexual by many people but here he is asking her for a cup of coffee.

'No' was the first word that came to her mind. But if it's Ernest he might know something or figure something out.

"What do you want my answer to be?" Ernest smiled, this is the reason she hates him and he likes her. The way she read him is trilling for him. Coltrane eyes wander from her to him getting almost irritated at them.

"A yes will be sufficient" He smiled at her. She rolled her eyes before nodding her head yes with that she existed.

Dr.Ernest turn to him and smiled at him, "Feel free to seat down wherever you want"

"You can sit on my desk too," He joked. Coltrane just glared at him. He is not in any mood for jokes.

"What do you want to talk to her about?" He asked.

Ernest gave him a confused look, "Oh! Is that what is irritating you?" He smiled.

"No," Coltrane shook his head. It's not like he cared about her.

"Then why do you want to know that?" he asked again.

"Just curious" Cotrane stopped talking after that.

"Curious about what?" He tilted his head sideways.

"None of your business" he snapped. He was irritating him for no reason.

"Let's talk about something else than" Ernest smiled at him and stopped pushing him. After that their conversation went quite good. It was normal, nothing out of the ordinary.

Cassandra was silently waiting for them in front of the cabin. She was nervous and anxious. When Coltrane walked out the room he was more relaxed. She sighed looking away.

"Well then Cassandra shall we?" Ernest asked from behind him. She stiffly nodded his head.

"Do I need to wait.." Coltrane asked.

"No, You have work. And I can take myself home" but she cut him off.

Coltrane looked back at them for the last time before going away.

Ernest smiled at her sweetly urging her to follow him, " What exactly is this all about?" Cassandra snapped.

"Coffee" She grit her teeth before doing his bidding. She glared at him the whole ride.

"Do you really think I ignored my patient, the moment I met him?" Dr.Ernest asked whistling.

"Why do you mean? And could you stop?" She glared at him.

"He asked for a joint counseling session with you" Cassandra looked at him shocked.

"I don't understand," She stared straight before looking away. Ernest smiled if only she did not look away he might have believed her.

He stopped the car in front of a cabin cafe and booked a cafe.

They enter the cabin. Cassandra sat down, he smiled and flirted with the waitress before ordering whatever he wanted. He looked at her, she mouthed water.

"So where were we?" Dr.Ernest sat down. She waited but he kept quiet until the waitress delivered their or his order. He gives her a double sweet cream latte which she hates.

After sipping his sweet coffee Dr.Ernest looked at her seriously, " I know everything about you except those six months before the accident, Cassandra" She flinched glaring at him.

"You know I am here as Ronald not Dr.Ernest" He smiled at her to make her relax which usually works for his every patient but in this case she knows him too well.

"But we are talking about someone's health Doctor" Cassandra stared at him trying to gauge his reaction.

He laughed, " Don't be so on guard Cassandra it hurts me" he touched his heart in a mock heart.

"I know you well enough to believe this" Cassandra stated her voice cold. Ronald smiled at last it was not as bright as before now it was just touching his lips and slightly curving it up.

"You will have become a great psychiatrist if you tried," he genuinely thinks.

"I don't like playing with someone else's mind" Cassandra spat those words.

"I help people," Ronald replied.

"By sharing their personal information " her eyes glare at him coldly. But he can see the fire flaring at them.

"I am abiding by the rules. You can try suing me" He smirked.

"Then how about you mocking people with their personal information?" Cassandra glared at him.

He laughed, "When was that?"

"Enough" She stood up ready to get the hell away from him. He was playing mind games.

Ronald stood up and grabbed her hand pulling her close to him.

"Let me go" She struggled.

He immediately let her go, " I want to talk about something important love. That's why I called you here. Will you listen to me?" Ronald asked pleasingly. She looked away before taking a deep breath,"Don't touch me" she coldly warned him before sitting opposite of him.

He nods his head wanting to deny but she will walk out if he did something like that so he smiled, which only made her look at him in anger. So he stopped smiling and became serious.

"After seeing the appointment name. I searched him up and found out that he got married to a woman who looked exactly like you. So when I saw your name, I immediately connected the dots" Ronald  told her to which she nodded.

"The Flynn you talked about is him right?" Cassandra swallowed painfully before nodding her head.

"I noticed something Cassandra because I re-read your old files before today" He stared at her.

"The Flynn you talked about and The Coltrane that came today is different" Cassandra stared at him shocked because for her they are the same. She never noticed any difference.

"What are you saying?" She asked him. He again stared at her before opening his mouth.

******************

Cliff hanger......

Please don't murder me. Lol😅😅😅

Do you like Dr.Ernest? Did you remember hearing his name before? Do you like his interaction with Cassandra? What will he tell her?

How will Jeremy take responsibility? Will Catherine let him?

I am waiting for your lovely feedbacks dear reader.

Thank you for reading..

Until next time lovelies😘