"...healing takes time,

doing it one day at a time

is the best remedy for emotional pain..."

Theo has really pulled through for me. It's more than just what is financial. The emotional support he continues to give helps me believe everything is going to be all right even if the future seems bleak.

The funeral has concluded. We have laid all three to rest. We are just about to leave the funeral grounds. So many people came. It was difficult to give the eulogy. Instead of three I only gave one that includes all of them. I kept breaking down but Theo was right beside me whispering that it's going to be all right.

"Thank you is not enough." I squeezed his hand. "What you have done for me is nothing short of incredible. How can I ever repay you?"

He settled his hand on my waist, the other flattening on my stomach. I'm a little self conscious because there are so many people around, some Nick's friends and family but Theo doesn't seem to care.

"Let me continue taking care of the two of you."

"Oh Theo no!" I rested my hand on his; the one pressed up against my stomach. "I can't do that to you. It's not fair."

"Then let me propose something-"

"I'm sorry to interrupt. We are sorry to interrupt rather." Theo and I separated almost like two children caught stealing and had to run their separate ways. "We just wanted to pass out condolences for your loss." Bruce explained. "You know the guys."

He's with Ferrer, Cole and Marc Anthony. I don't see Nick. I looked past them, searching around but I can't see him. I sent him the eulogies hoping he would come. I really wanted to share my grief with him.

"Thank you." I hugged Bruce first.

Cole held me a little longer. "You're going to heal. Give yourself time." He whispered and kissed my cheek.

"I'm so sorry Kei." Ferrer hugged me tightly. "But you're going to be okay."

It became a little awkward with Marc Anthony because he is looking at be like I kicked a puppy. I extended my hand as a sign of peace but instead of shaking my hand he hugged me. I was caught a little off guard and before I could reciprocate he let go and walked away. He seems upset. Why is he upset with me? Nick dumped me.

"This is Theo Sinclair." I made an introduction. "Theo, this is Cole Michael Harrington, Ferrer Cavaleiro and Bruce St Patrick."

"I know Bruce. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting the rest."

"Well now you have."

The weird standoff persisted for a few awkward seconds before the guys excused themselves. Only Ferrer remained. He got close to me. "Can I speak to you privately?" He asked me.

I looked at Theo. "One moment."

We stepped aside, away from Theo. He is watching us. "I uh... first things first, I'm so sorry about the misfortunes that have befallen you over the last days. So uh... we saw something." He rubbed the back of his head. "Let me start over. I feel I need to explain the awkwardness between us and Sinclair. Uh... when friends date and they break up, mutual friends tend to take sides and naturally since we knew Nick before you, it's natural that we stick with him. We don't like Sinclair."

"Thank you for coming to the funeral even if you guys are pro Nick. I understand. You have known him for years. You have barely known me for a year. So it's all right. You don't have to explain why things may be awkward from now on. But Theo has been with me through this. He never once left my side but he fought for me to this moment. I don't judge people based on other people's biased opinions. I judge them from my person experience with them. So far, Theo has been good to me."

"What about Nick? Where does he fit into all this?"

"Where is Nick?" I asked him.

"He probably skipped the funeral. You do understand that his reputation is a mess and he can't even step out without paparazzi going crazy?"

"It's sad that it has fine down to this. I understand the embarrassment he must feel. I feel it too. But it is disappointing that he wasn't here to support me through this. It is also disappointing that I'm the one expected to understand. Did he tell you he dumped me? Did he tell you that he said he has to put distance between bus just when I needed him the most?"

"You have to-"

"Understand? I have to understand, right? Well I do. But it still hurts the same way even with a bundle of excuses attached to it. The fact remains that he backed away when I needed him most."

"He confessed to a murder he didn't commit to protect you!"

"When I get to see him, I'll thank him for that. Ferrer, this situation is between Nick and me. I appreciate that you are trying to be q good friend to him but it will not be solved if we don't communicate. If you see him, tell him I would love to talk."

"One more thing, two actually. What is going on between you and Sinclair and how long has that been happening?"

"Is this an interrogation? It feels like you want to accuse me of something so just say it Ferrer. I'm really tired and I have no patience for guessing games."

"Nick loves you. Why are you with Sinclair?"

"Because he has been there through this."

"But what about Nick?"

I sighed. "Ever since Nickolas got released, I have been calling him to check on him. He ignores my calls, not even my texts have been answered. I hoped to see him here but he hasn't showed. I don't have a problem with Nick. But it seems he has a problem with me. I'm a mistake to him and he's trying to forget he ever made that mistake. So what about him Ferrer? What about him?'

"Are you pregnant?"

My heart almost came to a stop. What should I say? This information will go straight to Nick. "Yes I am."

"Is it Sinclair's?"

Now this I won't answer.

It would be pitiful for Nick to change his mind about me because I'm pregnant. It will be painful for him to force himself to be with me because he has found out I'm having his baby. I won't confirm or deny anything. Ferrer's conclusions will be his own.

"Have a lovely day and thank you once again for coming. Excuse me." I returned to Theo. He draped his arm over me.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing. It's nothing." I shrugged.

He accompanied me away from the three grave sites. Ferrer has delivered the news to his three friends. They are all looking my way and they are not good looks. He was right. Mutual friends pick sides. It's a given. If they have chosen Nick then it's okay. I won't hate them for it but I can't beg for their understanding and friendship either. I have teacher out to their friend repeatedly but Nick is icing me out. I can strain myself any further without losing my sanity.

As we approached the black Rolls Royce with the chauffeur waiting outside it, a woman I recognize as the prosecutor walked towards us.

"No. Whatever you want to say,speak to our lawyer." Theo warned her.

"I'm not here to accuse anyone of anything. Miss Ballard, may I speak to you privately?"

"Whatever you want to say, you can say it in front of Theo."

"Okay. We received a surveillance footage. We don't know where it came from but it shows that your father, my condolences by the way, is the one who shot Jason Burke and not you. This clears your name and we are not pursuing any charges against you ever. I'm sorry about everything. Good day."

I frowned at her.

"Your words are not enough for us. We want a public apology for the hell you have out the three of us through." Theo demanded.

"The three of you?" She's confused but Theo is talking about my baby.

"A public apology or I sue the hell out of your office." He threatened her.

"Fair enough. A public apology will be offered-"

"Before the end of the day." He continued.

"It can be done. Excuse me."

"Ma chérie, what is it? We should be celebrating."

We settled into the car. He pulled the seat belt over me, securing it in place. "My father never had surveillance in the compound." I told him.

He also frowned. "Don't think much of it. All right?"

"All right." I leaned on him. "You were saying something before we were interrupted."

"Ah yes! I was." I looked at him. "What are your plans? What happens now?"

"Well... I have to go home now. I mean it's over and I can go home now. No. I have to go to the house I shared with Jason. I have to pack my stuff. Then I can go home."

"I want something from you."

"What? Anything! You have really helped me out. What do you need?"

"Ever since I set my eyes on you, I liked you. I think you are a kind, generous, patient, loving woman. You're phenomenal Keira. That's what I see and I haven't even gotten to know you. I would like to get to know you just like you should get to know me. I'm not asking for your heart. Just that you are open to a relationship we bother stand to benefit from."

"Theo thank you. But I just became a widow recently. My relationship with Nick just ended. I'm not looking to get into emotional commitment any time soon."

"That's the thing. It's not an emotional commitment. Allow me to be crude abd pardon me if it hurts your feelings. I am asking for an arrangement. I want to marry you. I will adopt your baby and give it my name. I will take care of you and provide everything you could possibly want and need. You will never have to worry about being alone or being financially stable because I'll take care of it." My heart is pounding really fast.

"What do you gain from this?"

He laced our fingers together. "I have been alone for so long. I told you my parents passer away when I was six. I was left in a big house with servants who stayed away to maintain a decorum. The solitude was painful and t became the only thing I knew for a long time. But in the past days, I have felt a companionship I would like to keep. This companionship with you is beautiful. I want to marry for that. I also would like to marry you because it's time for me to marry." He chuckled. "Getting my inheritance depends on that. And it depends on an heir. This my interest in your child."

"Oh wow! You have been blunt!" I chuckled too. "Thank you for the honesty. I appreciate it . Can I think about this?"

"Oui ma chérie. You can tell me your answer tomorrow."

We sat in comfortable silence in the back seat of the Rolls Royce. I let out a sigh of relief. One day at a time and I'll get past this some day.

One day at a time...