Chapter 45: Admission Of Guilt

"Keshia, I've been trying to reach you all morning!"

"I slept through the whole day, Never heard the phone, I'm sorry, Graham. I was listening to my messages right before you called again."

"Can we meet and talk? It's important."

"Well...sure, can you bring me to the hospital? I have to see Nathan, my mother-in-law says there's great news but she didn't want to add more. She just told me to come as soon as possible."

"Sure, I'm on my way, Keshia. I'd love to talk to Nathan too if he's awake."



"So, tell me, Graham. What was so urgent?"


Keshia looked more like herself, confident and beautiful. Alexandra, her mother-in-law had told her Nathan was awake and asking for her. She was impatient to see her husband awake and well.


"Did you speak to the detective, yet?"

'No, I didn't have any time to return my calls yet. I mostly just wanted to see my husband, My Nathan is awake, can you believe it? I'm sooo happy; you couldn't believe it."

"Well, after Alice had her accident, I remember how I felt when she was at the hospital and when she got better. I know how you feel. It's hard knowing you might lose the one you love. But when they pull through, your bond and your love is stronger than ever. You don't take any moment for granted."

"I want Victoria to pay, Graham..."


Keshia said the last words in a very calm manner but Graham could hear the hate and anger in her voice, He had to tell her now about what had really happened.


"Keshia, I had a talk with the detective... There's no easy way to say this and I'm very sorry. The forensics analysis have all been done..."

"Why would he notify you of any of this, Graham?"

"Because... I am the one who pulled the trigger, Keshia. I am sorry. I don't know how it happened."


Graham was walking with Keshia towards the hospital doors as he said those words and stood right next to the hospital entrance with tears in his eyes, He had almost killed a man; a friend. He could've shot any of his guests and he was even lucky Nathan made it. He brutally punched the brick wall and blood started spilling.

"Graham!"


Keshia went right next to him and hugged him.


"I still blame Victoria. Without her, none of this would've happened. Nathan is alive and well. It was an accident."

"You don't understand, I wanted to hurt Victoria on some level, I might have put my finger on the trigger thinking I could kill her!"

"Graham, don't talk no sense. Let's get you to a doctor, you are bleeding. Everything will be fine. If you're looking for forgiveness, you have mine and I sure believe you'll have Nathan's. Don't worry about any of this for now and don't tell Nathan yet."

"I told Gary and I told you. Alice doesn't even know yet. I wanted to make sure you heard it from me first."

"Thanks Graham, I'd stay with you but I have to go see my husband. Come by the room when they fix your hand."

"Sure will."


Graham looked at her leaving. She sure was an amazing person. Nathan was lucky to have her. He remembered that one night they'd spent together years ago. If it hadn't been for Victoria back then and the guilt he felt after, she would've been the perfect girl.

Chapter 44: Very Bad News

"What happens now?"

"Well, I highly doubt you will be charged with anything. It was accidental."

"But I could be charged, right?"

"Well, it is always a possibility but it's unlikely I think. A good lawyer won't let it hold up passed the preliminary hearing. It would be an aberration."


But Gary, whether or not I am charged, I still have to live with the guilt knowing I am the one who pulled the trigger."

"Graham, maybe technically you pulled the trigger, but it was by accident. It was never your intention to hurt anyone."

"If you really want to know, what scares me is beyond my worries of charges, trial or anything else. It's what you just stated. That my intent wasn't to hurt anyone. I wouldn't have mind if Victoria had been hurt."

"Please don't repeat this to anyone; I don't like the sound of it. Did you get a chance to speak with Alice?"

"Well, she's all wrapped up into thinking this is her fault. And now I'm finding out, it's mine. I should go see Keshia, hopefully Detective Crane hasn't been able to reach her yet."


Graham felt like a monster. He had no idea what to tell Keshia, he just knew he should tell her he was responsible for Nathan's condition before the detective did. Hopefully she'd forgive him.

As he arrived to the hospital, he saw Keshia looking at Alice with disbelief.

"Are you that naive? You still couldn't figure out what kind of woman Victoria is? You risked your life...all of our lives... But I can't be mad at you, Alice; you didn't know better."


Alice had told Keshia she had spoken to Victoria right before the incident. Although Keshia was so understanding of Alice's mistake, Graham still doubted she'd be so comprehensive when she would learn he pulled the trigger. Whether the information came from the detective or him.

Chapter 43: All Better?

"My dear, Keshia, my flight kept on being delayed. I rented a car and my phone battery was dead. I wanted to arrive as soon as possible so I didn't want to stop. Any news? How's my son?"

Nathan's mom was always grounded and calm. The typical example of someone who followed their head rather than their heart. Deep down she was probably as shaken up as Keshia but on the outside; it'd be hard to tell. She could almost appear cold.

"I have great news, Alexandra, I left you tons of messages. He's awake! We can't see him for the moment. They want to run some more tests tomorrow. You don't need to stay here. You can go rest at the house; I'll give you the keys. I'll call you as soon as I hear more."

"Keshia, honey, I can tell you're exhausted. Nathan is my son. I'll be more than happy to stay at the hospital and watch over him. You go home and get some sleep. Nathan needs you strong and rested."

"Yes, but..."

"No buts, Keshia. Go home. Wait for my call or come back in a few hours. I can assure you, I'll let you know if anything comes up."

"Thanks, Alexandra."


There was no arguing with Alexandra. This was both good and bad. Keshia used to feel very little in her presence. Now it wasn't so bad. They hugged and Keshia left the hospital. On her way out, she bumped into Graham.


"Keshia, are you okay? Have you slept at all in the last 48 hours?"

"No, not really. I haven't been home yet."

"Let me drive you. You could definitely use a time out. I haven't heard from you all night. How's Nathan?"

"Well apparently he's awake. I was not allowed to see him yet. They need to run some tests this morning."

"That's good news. He's made it through the worst."

"I doubt it. What about brain damage? Imagine if he's in a vegetative state? Or if he regresses and ends up like a child? I don't think I could deal with it."

"Please, Keshia....Take it one day at a time. You love Nathan, he loves you. You will overcome anything.

There's your stop. I'll go back to the hospital in case there's anything."

"My mother in law is already there....I don't want to be alone. Will you stay a moment please?"

Graham hesitated. Keshia was in a fragile mental state and he didn't want something similar to what happened the other night to repeat itself. But he also understood her need of not being alone.

"Sure. I'll make you a herbal tea and make sure you go to bed."

"Thanks, Graham."