I decided to end this chapter once and for all so that he could not blackmail me over this anymore."Let's do it," I challenged him, asking him to move forward and have what he wanted.My heart pounded fiercely in my chest as I stood there, my gaze locked with his. He was staring back at me without blinking.I was willing to make a painful sacrifice if it meant putting an end to his sadistic games. I know it would be painful for me, and maybe I will lose my soul, but at least this will give him peace, and he will not torture me daily.I waited for him to take any action, to grab the opportunity that I was giving him, but when he didn't move from his place, my fingers slowly reached out to the hem of my t-shirt.My hands were trembling, and my whole body from inside was shaking with fear and a strange kind of power. I was determined, and I was sure that nothing could stop me now.It was not an act of submission, as he wanted, but to regain some control over the situation, which had gone
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I collapsed on the hard, cold floor. I silently prayed for everything to end as soon as possible because now it was crossing my bearing limit.His harsh words had cut through me like a knife, leaving wounds that felt as raw as the ones he had inflicted on my body. The bruises and marks were a painful reminder of his cruelty, but his verbal assault felt like an attack on my very soul.Emotional, physical, and mental pain are now getting too much for me to handle.I never knew that he could hate me so much. Every time, it is like a bitter pill to swallow, realizing that the person I had once looked up to, the one I believed might understand me, was capable of such cruelty.My cries echoed in the room as I cried my heart out. The door of the room was still open, but I didn't move from my place to close it, nor did I think about wearing my clothes back, the pain inside was far more overwhelming.All the clothes that he has provided me are so exposed that I
"If you really want to help me, then tell me the way out of this nightmare. I want to escape this hell and go away from him as much as I can."The heavy silence that followed my words felt suffocating, and I could practically hear my heart pounding in my chest.She kept staring at me as if she were not expecting this request. She blinked, and her lips parted as if she wanted to say something but nothing came out of her mouth.I held my breath, waiting for her to speak, but as seconds turned into an eternity, my hopes began to fade. It was as if my plea had fallen on deaf ears, and the realization sent a pang of despair through me.After a minute, which felt like an eternity, she broke the silence,"As much as I want to help you," she looked down, fiddling with her fingers, "but I can't.""It's okay," I finally murmured, my voice quivering. "I suppose I will have to endure the punishment for my brother's deeds for the rest of my life.""I..." She placed her hand over my shoulder. "You m
I already made the decision to escape this place and I don't want to take my steps back because even if I stayed here, my fate would be as cruel as if I got caught. Running away is giving me at least some hope and I believe it is an opportunity that I don't think I am going to get again. With trembling feet, I stepped up the stairs and paused for a moment to catch my breath when I reached the second floor. My eyes moved around to scan the surroundings but I could not see anything clearly because it was dimly lit, casting long shadows along the corridor. I could see my own shadow, which was my only companion. The anticipation of what was to come weighed heavily on me, yet it was a burden I was willing to bear in exchange for the chance to reclaim my freedom. The first thing I am going to do after getting out of this hell is meet my parents and find out the whole story of my brother's murder. Even if he has committed that heinous crime, I still want to know everything from the start
I felt like I was floating on a cloud of pure happiness, knowing that I had finally escaped from that dreadful place. My heart was light, and a wide grin played on my lips as I realized I was free from that devil's clutches.My feet seemed to have a mind of their own, carrying me forward with an unstoppable energy without caring about the way people around me were staring. At the moment, all that matters to me is to reach my parents as soon as possible and take them to a place where it is safe for all of us. The thought of embracing sent shivers of happiness throughout my body. After a few minutes, my legs started to slow down, and my breath came in ragged gasps. The exhaustion started to set in my bones. I cannot run forever. The bus stop isn't near where I am and even if I pushed myself to run continuously, it would take a good half an hour to reach there.The thought of hiring a cab crossed my mind but then I realized that I hadn't brought even a single penny with me. How am I su
Damien?My eyes widened, my breath became shallow and my blood turned cold as I saw him. I could feel beads of precipitation forming on my forehead, as my heart shivered in my chest out of fear.How did he get here?He was not going to return home tonight and I escaped the guards. How did he come to know about my escape?How had he known that I would be on this bus only?God!So many questions ran through my head and I couldn't answer any of them. I just wanted to disappear before he could see me.My eyes moved around, looking for any escape and the only thing I could see was the tightly shut window. My ears turned bright red with anticipation and it seemed like my heart would come out of my chest. My heart raced even faster if possible and my breath caught in my throat as his men parted to make way for him, allowing Damien to step forward in his full form, demanding authority and submission.His aura was so dark and dominating that I could see a small baby hiding his face in his fath
Humiliation...This is what I felt when the woman took out the ring from my pocket, which I never stole.I am sure my jean's pockets were empty. My eyes focused on the ring and I found that it was the same one that he always wore on his middle finger.The eyes, which were earlier filled with sympathy, were now looking at me with hatred.I was stunned to find that the person who has made my life a living hell has now made me a thief as well."See, I told you," Damien said with confidence, shrugging and tucking his hand in the pocket.I shuddered but still, I was not ready to give up. I wanted to be free at any cost and this was my last chance."No! This is not true. I haven't done anything." I could feel tears forming in my eyes as my voice was filled with desperation.I didn't take it from him. How will I prove my innocence to them?I was expecting any of them to come up in my support and finally, the driver asked but his words broke me even more."Shall we help you take this girl to t
His words shattered my false notion and proved that I actually don't have anywhere to go.I was trapped.Completely trapped!He was sitting in the car like a king of an empire, his own cruel empire. His legs spread wide, and his elbows rested on his knees. He was sitting on more than half of the seat while I was scrunched to one side.My gaze stayed outside, watching the world pass by. I could see people going around there normally Though the tears were pricking my eyes, I fought not to let them slip out of my eyes. I curled my fist so tightly that my nails dug into my skin. My tears give him pleasure and boost his ego.I know, now I am completely helpless in his hands and he could do anything he wants with me but still, I will not give him the satisfaction of seeing me broken.I didn't say anything to him for the rest of the journey because I was sure that arguing had no point now.He wants to break my spirit but I will never let that happen.Abruptly, the car came to a halt in front
One year later Third Person's POV Aiden was telling the story of his day to his father while returning home from school. Damien was listening to his story intently when he saw something and abruptly applied the break. "What happened, Daddy?" Aiden asked curiously Damien looked at the flower shop at the side of the street and Aiden understood it. He giggled, his tiny eyes sparkling with excitement, as Damien came out of the car and helped Aiden out. Damien held the finger of his little son, whom he knew was super excited and could hurt himself if not kept an eye on. Aiden jumped in his way as they reached the flower shop. "How may I help you, sir?" the girl selling flowers asked Damien. Damien and Aiden shared a look before both of them said it at the same time. "A bouquet of lavender" The girl's eyes moved at both of them one by one as she chuckled at the bond of father and son. Angel used to think that Aiden was a junior version of Damien but as they started livin
After dance, dinner, and cake cutting, Damien brought me and Aiden to his house.Aiden was half asleep by the time we reached here because he danced like crazy, gaining the attention of everyone. He is surely going to have more pictures than us.Daisy took on the responsibility of keeping him to herself for the night. Looking at the cuteness and innocence of our baby, everyone thinks that he is easy to handle but in reality, the case is just the opposite."Momma," I heard Aiden's voice, which stopped me in my tracks.As I turned around to look at him, I found him rubbing his eyes with one hand while the other one was reaching out for me, his tiny fist opening and closing in rhythm, asking me to take him in my arms.I knew that he would wake up and then he would surely ask for me. At the moment, if I don't take him and put him to sleep, he will cry so badly that it will become impossible for even me to calm him down.Daisy patted his back, trying to put him to sleep again but I knew th
All of us came back to the venue and Damien didn't leave my hand, even for a second.It felt like he was afraid that I would run away from him but now that I have accepted him, I have done that with an open and clean heart. I have decided not to think about that bitter past and to start a new life with him on a happy note.As we entered the venue, we met with the most unexpected guest. Damien looked down at me, asking if I had any clue about them but I was equally clueless. I am sure Philip and Richard must have arranged it.Suddenly, Damien was hugged tightly. It was his mother. She hugged him tightly."I missed you," she mumbled.Damien hugged him back. She pulled away and engulfed me in her arms as well. I felt her warmth and love through that hug.Daisy was standing at a hand distance from us, looking at her brother with small tears in her eyes. Two months ago, I came to know that Damien has cut all the ties with his sister and they haven't met in the last four years.I could see
Philip and Richard stepped towards us as we moved away and stood side by side.Unable to meet my gaze with Richard's, my eyes moved down on their own.For the first time, I couldn't understand what's going on in Philip's head from his body language. I know he would not be happy with this decision of mine.Damien was still having eye contact with them, ready to face whatever they had to say, while my eyes were still low. My heart was beating fast in my chest and my body was frozen in the arms of Damien.I was stuck in the situation of choosing my family's will over my love, and this time I decided to go with my heart, because if I had gone with the first, it would have ruined three lives.Suddenly, Damien moved his arm away from my waist. My eyes snapped up in surprise as I thought that Philip must have pulled Damien away but I was completely surprised when both of them hugged.What? Philip is hugging Damien. From what I felt, it was Damien who hugged him first because his hands were
"Damien," I called out while turning around but there was no response.How could he disappear in a blink of an eye?Was it just a dream?No! The familiar sensation on my forehead, at the place where he kissed me, was still there. I am sure he was here."Damien!" I called out again.When no response came and I was sure that he was not in the room, I ran to the window and looked down to find a man walking towards the exit with his head hanging low.It was Damien"DAMIEN!" I called out with all the energy inside me.He turned around. His eyes were brimming with tears, and his lips curled into a small smile. He waved his hand to me and walked away."Damien!" I again called out my hand, reaching out for him but he was gone.I blinked and focused but he was already out of my sight. I turned around and ran to the door. At the same time, Philip came inside."Angel," his eyebrows drew in confusion as he looked down at me. "What happened?" "Damien," I cried "What happened?" His eyebrows drew
As I entered the house, I found it dark and silent.Where is everyone?Aiden was waiting for me at home. I bought him chocolates as well. Where is he? Where is Mom?I flinched at my place and my soul almost left my body when a party popper burst near my ear. Suddenly, the room was filled with lights and when I moved around my eyes, I found all my family members surrounding me. They were waiting for me to give me a surprise but I am not sure what it is because there is still time for my birthday."Congratulations!!!!" Mia came to me excitedly and hugged me tightly.My hands hesitantly wrapped around him. But why is she congratulating me?"Congratulations, Angel," Mumma and Philip squealed at the same time."Congchachulason, momma," Aiden said in his baby voice.My squinted eyebrows and confused eyes moved at each one of them. I know I was expected to say thank you but I was utterly confused."We are so happy that you said yes for the wedding," Mia said.Ohh! Now it settled in. But how
Richard was completely shocked to know about my past. He was left speechless when I told him everything about my first meeting with Damien, Philip's fake death rumor, my auction, Damien's treatment, the truth and me leaving him at the end. He just listened to me intently without questioning anything but he was all ears to me. I felt relieved to tell him all this because it was like a burden on my heart especially when he was thinking about his life with me. Along with a mentor, he is my good friend as well and I could share things with him without the fear of getting judged. "Since then I have shut the doors to my heart, not allowing anyone to make its way inside." A long silence followed my words. He seems lost in my story, his mind replaying things I said. "Do you still love Damien?" He asked finally breaking his silence. He was silent while I was telling him the whole story of my life but his one question was enough to make me go silent. Drawing a deep breath, I gulped down.
As I stepped out of the car my phone started ringing. When I took it out of the clutch, I found that the call was from mother. I am sure Aiden must be calling me. Today is Sunday, and I had some work, Aiden wanted to come along with me but I brought him with me because I needed to talk to Richard. This is why I am here! I have called him in a cafe to have a conversation and I know no matter how much Aiden is involved with his own things, he keeps an eye and ear on me. He always hears what his mommy has to say whether it is meant for him or not and he understands it or not. And then I have plenty of questions waiting for me before going to bed. "Hello" "Hello momma" came his chirpy voice from the other side of the call "Aiden misses you" I am sure he is pouting. "Come back soon" As during the weekdays, I stay busy with courts and cases, he gets only one day with me and he doesn't want to stay even a second away that day. I am sure he must be cutting the time by looking at the c
It's been two weeks since that incident and I am still not over it. I still have the guilt that, because of me, my baby suffered. Aiden has now fully recovered, and he has also started going to school. The doctor asked me not to give him too much stress so I applied for one week of medical leave for him. He was happy about missing school and enjoyed the leaves as if they were holidays.Today I took a day off because I wasn't feeling well. I wanted to pick up Aiden today but Philip wouldn't let me go. He asked me to take a rest, and this is why I took the leave.I was going through my phone while waiting for my baby when the door opened. As usual, I expected him to barge inside the home and shout, telling each and every corner of the house that he had returned from school but instead, he came inside silent with his lips tightly pressed together. His eyes were low and the energy in him was missing.My eyebrows drew in confusion as my eyes flicked up at Philip, asking what was wrong with