----SPOILER ALERT----

Below is an excerpt from the original, unedited draft of the first chapter of "Because You Loved Me". If you do not wish to be spoiled, trespass no further.

----Chapter 1: The Storm----

Suddenly, she heard heavy footsteps approaching her. Someone was in the house. Not again, she thought. A burglar had broken in their house the other week, and Liana couldn't let it happen again. She took the broom, which was leaning against the wall in a corner of the kitchen, and prepared herself to ambush the intruder.

She waited... And the perfect moment came. The footsteps stopped right next to the wall she was hiding behind. Liana took a deep breath and started hitting the burglar repeatedly with the broom.

"Ow! No, wait! Ouch! Liana, it's me!" The burglar screeched with an oh so familiar voice, raising his hands to defend himself from her attacks.

She stopped just as she realized the person she wa s assaulting was her husband, who had just come home from work. She blushed at her own mistake and quickly hid the broom behind her.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Jeremy, are you okay?" She asked, feeling worried and embarrassed at the situation she had just got herself into.

"Well... I was expecting a warmer welcome... One that doesn't involve ambushing me with a broom... Or any other kitchenware for that matter." Jeremy said, rubbing the back of his head.

"I'm sorry." Liana let go of the broom and threw her arms around his neck, giving him a sweet apologetic smile.

"Don't worry, I think I'll live," Jeremy laughed as he gazed at her beautiful blue eyes. "But just so you know, your aggressive side is beginning to show."

"I thought we had a burglar... again," She elaborated. "Though I don't know why anyone would want to steal anything here." She looked around the house, a sad expression marring her features. There was indeed nothing valuable to steal in this house.

"Well, I'm afraid now they'll have something to steal from us. So promise me you'll always keep this with you." Jeremy said and placed a pink chalcedony in his wife's hand. She gasped at the sight of the gemstone.

"Where did you get it?" She blurted out.

"In the mines," He replied casually. "I'm not a thief, don't worry. A workmate of mine found it."

"Oh, I see." Liana took a closer look at the stone, then looked at Jeremy again. "But what's the occasion? It's not my birthday, or anything like that."

Jeremy smiled.

"Oh, it's just... It's so beautiful, and I thought you'd like it. Besides, since I'm not going to be around now that I have to work extra hours in the mines, I want you to keep something that reminds you of me. So that you won't freak out and run around randomly assaulting people with that broom." He explained with a grin. Liana frowned. Must he always bring up her embarrassing moments? He was so much like Alexa.

"That's just so romantic, Jeremy" She said, trying to hide the blush that was starting to creep on her face.

But then, Jeremy stopped smiling and looked at Liana with an almost pain-stricken expression, then began to speak in a serious tone.

"You know our life isn't easy... And it will never be. There will be moments in our life when you feel scared, when you feel like you can't go on anymore. But life goes on. Whatever you might believe, life always goes on. You just have to find enough strength and faith to move on with it. So everytime you feel like giving up, hold it in your hands and think of me. It'll give you strength."

There was a moment of silence before Jeremy began laughing about how he scared her with that one. Liana laughed along with him, but she still couldn't get rid of that tiny uneasy feeling inside her stomach. The way he said it... and his sudden change of attitude... It scared her.

But then she soon forgot about it. Perhaps she was never convinced that something could go wrong. Their life was perfect. There couldn't be anything lurking in the dark, ready to harm them, right?

----

Okay, I know it's horrible, but it's just the draft. Final result might look different. Feed me with your thoughts!