I woke up to the chirping of the birds and the sunlight penetrating my eyes.Before I could open my eyes fully, I felt two strong arms wrapping me around, a leg draped across my waist, and a firm chest pressed against my back. We were now covered with duvets.My heart skipped a beat as the memories of the previous night flooded back. Meeting my brother, begging him on the feet, and then surrendering myself.We were skin to skin, and the intimacy of the moment was impossible to ignore. But as the events replayed in my mind, so did a wave of guilt and regret from the previous night. How could I react like a desperate girl?How could I forget the horrors and cruelties Damien had inflicted on my family, especially my innocent brother?How could I forget the darkness that surrounded him?How?My emotions are conflicted, torn between the pure love I once had for him in the past and the hatred that I now feel for him.I could feel tears pricking my eyes as soon as they opened. The reality of
He made me sit on the edge of the bathtub while he filled it with water.I closed my eyes, just trying to escape all this. There was silence all around except for the soft sound of running water. Closing my eyes only intensified the chaos, making it impossible to find the peace I so desperately needed and used to get inside me earlier.This is all because of the things I did yesterday.Suddenly I felt a presence beside me, which made me open my eyes and I found Damien giving me a toothbrush.Hesitantly, I took it from him because I needed it. He turned around while brushing his teeth and checked the temperature of the water before adding rose essence, which began to infuse the room with its sweet fragrance.Slowly, I stood up, and the way to the washbasin felt very long and difficult. My legs were wobbling and I could still feel the sting in between my thighs.A loud gasp escaped my lips when I saw my reflection in the mirror. It was definitely not the girl that I knew. I could see th
"Release... Release my brother," I finally managed to utter, my voice quivering.His reaction was immediate and intense. His nose flared, his eyes narrowed at me, his jaw clenched, and his hold on my waist tightened so much that his nails dug sharply into my waist. I wanted to yell and tell him that he was hurting me but I saw no point in it.He was raging in a fire of anger and I was responsible for it. But was it going to stop me from saying what I wanted?No!I hesitated for a moment, gathering my courage once again."I need you to promise, Damien," I continued, my voice carrying the weight of my plea. "Promise that you will release my brother today. It's all I'm asking, and I swear he's inn..."Before I could even complete my words, he pushed me back. His reaction was swift and brutal. A violent push sent me sprawling backward, the edge of the bathtub colliding harshly with my body, and the pain shot through me."You never miss a chance to ruin my mood, do you?" He asked while I w
Since that day, I couldn't step out of the room, even when he left the house. Usually, I prefer staying out of the room when he is not home but that day, my restlessness kept me confined. I was going crazy.The situation I found myself in was overwhelming, pushing me to the brink. I realized I desperately needed help; the weight of it all threatened to drive me to the brink of madness.It's been more than two weeks since he kept the proposal of marriage in front of me and I haven't accepted it yet. My head is busy thinking about its consequences. He hasn't asked for it again because he wants me to accept it on my own without him forcing me to do so.I want my parents to meet Philip because this will not only give them immense happiness but also a ray of hope with which they can live their lives. My mother believes that Philip is still alive and she would be most happy to see him in front of her eyes. I longed to witness that moment, to see my parents' faces light up at the sight of the
With a click, the drawer opened. I didn't waste time pulling it out and was surprised to find out the content inside it.My eyes widened to the point of coming out of their socket because it was the thing that I was least expecting here.The drawer was full of medicine. They are the same tablets that Aunt Greta used to give her, as they were prescribed by the doctors for her depression and health.The drawer was almost full of those tablets, which means she had not taken even a single one in the last four months. She has been storing those medicines in this drawer while her brother thought that she was taking those medicines and they were working on her health, which was never bad.She was doing drama all this time! She was wearing a fake mask of innocence and torment.Everything that my brother told me was true. He is innocent and he was being made a culprit in the eyes of Damien. But that reason is still unknown.An intense surge of anger welled up within me, my fists clenching invo
**Trigger warning: self- Harm**"What's happening here?" The voice of Damien from behind froze us in our places. Daisy's back was facing Damien so he couldn't see her. His eyes, which were red with anger, were shooting deathly glares at me. He was looking so enraged that if looks could kill, I would be dead by now. My eyes flicked to Daisy; she slightly shook her head and her hands, which were resting on her stomach, joined a bit, begging me not to tell anything to Damien. Her whole body was shaking and there were small tears in her eyes. Now she was scared for the truth to come out because she was well aware of her brother's fury. "Please," she mouthed as Damien approached us, his steps heavy with anger."I am asking you something," Damien again asked when his patience became thin. His eyes sharply snapped at me as if I were the culprit here. "What are you doing here?" His shout reverberated in the room, and I remained silent, my mind racing as I tried to find the right words, co
Damien's eyes moved down to the knife that was resting against my wrist and he stopped when he knew that I was serious and I actually was.One step from him and I will cut my nerve.In fact, this is exactly why I came here. The torture is getting too much for me and it is better if I end my life right now. At least I won't have to see my family in pain."Put the knife down, Angel," he pleaded, his voice softer now, tinged with worry.I was a bit shocked to hear his soft voice but I knew that it was just a facade to make me take my steps back so that he could torture me in a crueler and twisted way of his."This isn't the way to handle things."His words were reaching my ear but not my brain. My anger was like a tidal wave crashing over me, drowning out any rational thought. My breaths came in ragged gasps as I held the knife, the blade glinting in the light.When he saw that I had stopped for a few moments and my attention had diverted, he started moving towards me with slow and small
Damien's POV"ANGEL!" A loud shout left my mouth when all of a sudden she collapsed on the ground. I was unable to stand her breakdown; every tear that slipped her eyes was like a dagger in my heart. I hoped to find a way to comfort her, but this was not something I wanted. Bending down, I lifted the upper half of her body onto my arms and gently slapped her face to bring her back into consciousness. "Angel," I called out, shaking her lightly, but she remained unresponsive. My voice was trembling with concern, but she remained unresponsive. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, her cheeks stained with dry tears, and her hair strands clinging to her face. My fingers brushed the strands aside and continued to shake her, only to receive the same heartbreaking response."Damien" My attention drifted to Daisy who was offering water. Taking the glass from her hand, I sprinkled a few droplets on her face and coaxed her to sip, but the water seemed to spill from her mouth, and s
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