Arabella's and Hardin's story continues....
After almost three years of blissful marriage, and reigning as King and Queen, our star crossed lovers can't find a single fault in their perfection of a life.
Then, it gets even better with a special deli...
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I rushed up the stairs, not bothering to apologise when I accidentally knocked over Ronald. "I'm so sorry." I heard my beautiful wife say, before running to catch up with me.
I can't believe only moments ago I was buried deep inside my perfect wife and now, I was praying to god that my father didn't stop speaking. That, the name Jolie, refused to leave his lips until I got there.
"Hardin wait..." Arabella called out, her voice echoing amongst the hollow hallways. My feet halted themselves, my body and mind never able to deliberately disobey one of her commands. Her feet moved quicker until she reached me. "Maybe we should wait for Dr Harriet?"
I clenched my jaw. "We can't wait, he's my father if he's going to speak to anyone he'll speak to me." I didn't wait for her rebuttal, knowing it would only slow me further.
Entering the room, I made my presence known causing the maid to quickly scurry out. My father was seated on the bed, his back pressed against the headboard as usual.
I hadn't seen him since we returned back from the wedding, and yet he looked entirely different. The bags under his eyes had grown, turning almost purple and causing him to age years. His scruffy beard almost reached his chest, covering his neck entirely, and his hair hung loose and ratty down his back.
This was not the man I once knew, the man I once loved.
"Father," I whispered, sinking onto the bed besides him. Arabella quickly followed suit, resting her hand on top of mine. I unclenched my fist, releasing the now wrinkled comforter.
"Jolie. Jolie. Jolie." The word kept spilling off his lips, again and again and again. Never once faltering and leaving a single breath between each repetition.
"Father stop." He ignored my command, his eyes staring straight at the wall before him.
"Jolie, Jolie, Jolie." The same name over and over again which triggered absolutely nothing for me. I had no memory of that name, it held no significance to me and yet...I felt I knew it.
There was something, that name had triggered, which was beckoning me at the back of my mind. I could hear the faint laugh of a little girl, the sound being absolutely melodic and beautiful.
"Father stop!" I placed my hands over my ears but it only seemed to amplify the laughter, amplify the sound of the name. "Father stop!" I gritted out between my teeth, rocking slightly as though it would get me away from the noise.
"Hardin, what's wrong?" Her serene voice became blurred amiss all the confusion and turmoil. "Hardin, look at me." I felt a sharp tug as her nail dug into my skin, forcing me face her.
