streamed down her face as she clutched her stomach, feeling a mixture of joy an

rise and wiped away her tears, trying to compose herself. Ned's

voice choked with emotion.

eside her on the bed. He looked at he

d softly. "I had to see you. I

the past three years. She had thought about him every day, wondering where he was

ally managed to say

her heart race. His touch still had the

ut saying goodbye. I shouldn't have disappeared like t

never been angry with him for leaving, only

ng up at him with tear-fill

e admitted. "I never stopped loving you, Nora. But I understand that thi

at maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance f

n promise. "I promised to love you forever. But then you disappeared, and

" he said. "And I don't blame you, Nora. I

a wave of emotions wash over her - regret, guilt, longing, and love. She still lov

nce. "I just wanted to see you. To make sure you we

er throat. She didn't want him to lea

whispered, tears str

lt a surge of emotions at his touch, and she wrapped her arms around him, no

d, before turning and w

m go, feeling h

face. "Hey, my love, why the tears? Is it because you're c

ars. "Desmond, it's not what you think. I'm not c

?" Desmond asked,

ed, my eternal lover, he's back. He's standing right in

ned. "What? Did he return because of yo

her eyes again. "Yes, he's back for me.

e this. I thought I had won you fair and square.

We made a promise to each other before he disappeared. I never stopped loving h

at you want to leave me for him? After everything I've d

ted to hurt you. I didn't plan for this to happen. But I can't deny my feelings fo

is hair. "I can't believe this is happening. I thought

m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. But I can't deny my heart. I have to

m without another word. Nora watched him go, her heart heavy with sadness and

ed after all these years. How could she be so blind? He had done everything for her, everything that Ned never could. He

st the hood with his arms crossed. The two men locked eyes, and Desmond felt his

you doing here, Ned

ression guarded. "I came to

Desmond spat. "She's moved on w

e about moving on. You know damn well that Nora and I were meant to be

age of her," he retorted. "I loved her, and I still do. An

n't know anything about what she needed," he his

h at Ned's face. The two men grappled with each other, throwing punches and insu

und them. Desmond was panting, his face red with rage, while Ned was bleeding from a c

snarled. "She's mine now, and I'll

ou don't know what you're getting into, Desmond," he warned.

anger and frustration. He knew that this was far from over, and that he would do wha

ical altercation, their father Mr. Harris walked in on them. He stood at

going on here?" he de

caught Ned here trying to take Nora away from me. He's been in

came here to talk to Nora about something important, and Desmond started attacking

who's right or wrong here, the fact remains that you two are brothers. You can't just figh

ut Dad, he's trying to take my wife away from me. I wo

be a better husband to her, instead of trying to blame your brother for your own shortcomings. And Ned, you can't just come here a

I just want to make sure that Nora is safe and happy. I

"I want you two to work things out. You're family, and you need t

father was right, and that they needed to be better to each other. They shook hand

long road ahead for his family, and that they would need to work hard to overcome the issues that had

n't help but feel responsible for the constant conflicts that plagued his family. If only he hadn't slep

embered the excitement and thrill he felt when he first met Ned's mother. It was a flee

hat they would come back to haunt him in such a profound way. He had tried his best to be a good

ke things right with his family. He would try to repair the damage he had caused, no matter how long it took. Fo