255 What Has Been Lost

That night, Nadine told Malachi a very old and very sad story.

One that she asked him never to repeat to anyone, not even the girls, as it was her greatest shame and regret.

There were multiple points in the story where she had to pause because she started crying.

And when it was done, she looked at Malachi with eyes full of fear.

She worried that he would find her to be an unfit woman for him, and an unreliable mother to their child.

However, Mal knew that neither of those were true and reassured her of his faith in her.

That night, as she cried silently amidst the bodies of her family, she was held by the man she loved more than anything, and he showered her with soft words of understanding and care.

They fell asleep kissing with their faces mere inches away from each other, and what remained of dried tears that covered Nadine's face.