Chapter 1

It was a quiet night in the whole town. As usual Nina was getting ready for bed in the Helvar Mansion. She took a warm bath, and then went to search for her little girl Inej. Yes, Inej is Nina's stepdaughter who is four now. Nina, Nina Helvar is the daughter-in-law of the Helvar family. She was married to Matthias Helvar when his first wife died giving birth to Inej Helvar.

Nina was only 21, when she was forced to marry Matthias and Inej was One year old. She didn't know who he was, what he was doing. She absolutely knew nothing about him. Her Paternal aunty, and uncle, who adopted her for her parents' wealth, forced her to marry Matthias. They will get the Helvar family's help for their falling business in return for her hand in this marriage.

But Nina doesn't know any of the things and married him, afraid to face her aunty and uncle's wrath. She convinced herself at least here no one will beat her or torture her here. As she expected, her in-laws, Matthias's mom and dad were kind enough to treat her like their own daughter. So she held her hope and started to live her life as Matthias's wife and Inej's mother.

Nina found Inej was still playing in the living room despite her bedtime. Inej is a good kid and a cheerful one too. Nina loved Inej as her own blood and Inej too was attached to Nina like a glue. Nina came downstairs and stood in front of Inej who didn't see her mother coming for her.

"Inej, it's your bedtime baby. We will continue playing tomorrow. Come let's go." Nina was trying to make her sleep but Inej was a little stubborn too. "Mumma five minutes. I am drawing this." she said in her baby voice and showed Nina her little five fingers. Inej's grandparents who were looking after her chuckled at the child's cuteness. "It seems we have to wait for five more minutes for this little lady Nina dear". Said Nina's Father-In-Law, Alex Helvar.

Nina smiled at him and sat down near the little lady to coax her into bed. "Mumma, I want us to go and see the stars. Let's go. Grandma, grandpa let's go see the stars. I won't sleep." Inej started to insist. "Ok baby girl, come to grandma. Don't cry dear, we will go see the stars now." Said Nina's Mother-In-Law, Selena Helvar gave in to her granddaughter's wish.

They all went to their mansion's roof for stargazing. Nina quickly laid down a carpet so that Inej could lay down and see the stars. "Baby come lie down. You can see the stars all you want." Said Nina tucking Inej into her sleep sack and kissed her cheeks. Inej giggled while cuddling to her mom's neck. Nina gently patted Inej to sleep and the Little lady after so much of babbling drifted off to sleep. When Nina was ready to take Inej to their room she saw the servants helping Matthias to the roof for some fresh air. She turned to look at her In Laws. "Nina Dear, I was the one who asked them to bring him up for some fresh air. He must be struggling cooped up in the room all day." Said Selena. Her eyes showed that she was guilty towards Nina.

Nina nodded her head in silence. "It's okay mother. You don't need to explain." She said smiling genuinely at Selena reassuring her she is not angry with her. "No Dear, you have every right to get angry at us. We don't deserve your kindness for what we did to you. If you find it in your heart, Please forgive us dear." Said Selena. Alex nodded in acceptance that he was guilty too. Nina didn't say a word. Matthias was seated near Selena and Alex. Nina Covered him in a duvet so that he wouldn't feel cold. He was Emotionless staring at an empty space. Nina again sat down near sleeping Inej caressing her gently.

Nina and her In-laws were distracted by their own thoughts and stayed quiet. The Silence there was suffocating but no one was ready to break it. Matthias who was sitting quietly stood up suddenly. "Maria, where were you all this time? I was searching for you. I was waiting for you all this time." Matthias started to babble staring at the empty space. Nina flinched looking at Matthias and turned to look at her In-Laws. "Mother, we need to get him to his room immediately. I will call the servants." Said Nina and went to call the servants who were on standby.

In the meantime, Matthias was moving forward speaking, staring at the sky. "No, don't leave me Maria. I Love you. I can't live without you. I want to have a child with you and live happily with our little family." It looked like he was confessing to someone who was present Infront of him. "Matthias, come to your senses. There is no one here son. Maria is dead. Look at me. Come back, don't go forward." Selena screamed. When Nina came back with the servants Matthias was dangerously near the rail. "Don't agitate him and go near him from that side quickly." Nina instructed the servant calmly hiding her fear and moved near to Matthias.

Alex, Nina and the Servants were moving near to Matthias without provoking him. "Maria, you know my dad has accepted for us to get married. So you are not going to escape from me. I am coming to you this time, My Love." Matthias said smiling like a teen who is blissfully in love. Nina was near Matthias now and she slowly held his hand gently. "Matthias, It's time for bed. We'll go to bed so that you can see Maria tomorrow." She tried to coax him. Alex held Matthias's other hand and tried to pacify him. "No, I won't go anywhere leaving Maria alone here. Leave me. Don't touch me. I don't know you. Maria I don't know her. Believe me. Don't leave me." He cried out loudly struggling out of their grip.

"Matthias, Stop it son. See its me, your father. Look at me. Listen, look at me."  Alex cried out. Nina literally forgot to breathe. "Father, should we use the sedatives now? He is dangerously near the railing." Said Nina nervously. "Yes Nina, it looks like we have to use it. Someone bring the sedatives now." Alex shouted at the Servant and he ran downstairs quickly. "Alex, Nina please save Matthias. My son, please come back here. Come back to mom." Selena cried out in fear.

Matthias was struggling hard to get out of their grip. Nina felt like Matthias got strong suddenly. He was not in his right sense and was deluded. "Father, he is getting out of control." Nina cried, struggling to hold him. "Master here the sedatives." The servant came running. "Nina give the injection to him. I will hold him." Said Alex. Nina nodded and filled the injection. Her hands were trembling and she went near Matthias. "No, Don't come near me. I am not sick. Don't separate me from my Maria." Matthias cried out pushing Nina and Alex hard. Stumbled by his sudden actions Nina and Alex fell down. "Maria, don't go. Let me come with you." Mathias cried out. Nina was terrified hearing that. She got up and ran towards him and it was already late. Matthias was on the railing and fell. "Nooo." Nina was horrified as she held Matthias's one hand. He was hanging already and pulling Nina also down. "Father help me. I can't hold it any longer."  Nina's frail body was not able to hold him any longer that she cried out for help. "I got him Nina." Alex held his hand and Nina moved back and slide down in agony and feeling dizzy.

"Leave Me. Maria is waiting for me." Matthias who is still struggling hanging down left his father's hand and fell down. "Matthias....Noo..." Alex cried out seeing his son falling down. "No No No..." Nina cried and ran downstairs dragging her sore body. "My son, Matthias... Matthias..."Screamed Selena getting Unconscious. Nina saw Matthias's Body full of blood. She ran to call the ambulance. "Hello someone is dying, come to this address quickly." She hung up the phone and went to him for his first aid, giving him CPR. Alex who came down rubbed on her head tears rolling from his eyes. "Leave him dear he is dead. You have tried your best to save him. It's also time we let him go." Said Alex dejectedly. "No father, the ambulance is coming. He will be saved." Nina cried tears running down her cheeks and continued giving CPR like a mad woman. The Ambulance arrived. "Please move away. let me check on him." Said the Paramedic checking on Matthias. "Sorry Sir, He is Dead." Said the Paramedic. Nina collapsed hearing the last word from the paramedic.

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