Lillian's POVHe tried to hold me but I took a step back.I saw how pain crossed his eyes when I avoided his touch.He clenched his jaw and balled his fist."Who harassed you?" he asked his voice filled with rage.I didn't respond but Mrs. Jones's shout became his answer."Someone help me! Call the police!" she shouted.After a while the man that sexually harassed me stepped out of the coffee shop but before he could even run away Marcus chased him and pinned him on the floor."Do you want to stay?" Lucas asked getting all my attention.I turned my head on him and shook my head. "I want to leave," I said.Lucas opened the door for me and held me as I stepped inside the car.Before he could even shut the door I saw Marcus's gaze directed at me.Lucas's car is tinted so I freely look at him without his knowing.His gaze lingered even when we had already driven off.When I could no longer see Marcus I shifted my gaze in front.I fixated my eyes on the road not saying anything.I can feel
Lillian's POVI want to disappear.I want to run away...somewhere far from here.I want to escape this place because the way they look at me is killing me inside.They hate me."Alice, are you okay?" The guilt that I was feeling doubled when I saw Alice lose consciousness.Did I slap her that hard for her to pass out?"Mommy Alice!" Amari shouted filled with worry when Alice fell into Marcus' arms.I just stood there frozen as I watched Marcus carry Alice in his arms.Amari ran after him and I should stop her but I just stood there frozen in place."Goddamnit Lillian! Take Amari!" Marcus' shout pulled me back to my senses.I immediately held Amari even though she was pushing me away.I held her even tighter and carried her towards our room."I hate you, Mommy! I hate you!" she keeps on shouting.I made her sit on the bed and kneel in front of her making our eyes level.She was crying and I felt my chest tighten as I watched her cry."I'm sorry," I held her small hands and looked at
Marcus's POVI could feel my hands getting cold as I held the steering wheel.I drive at full speed while holding Alice's hand who is still unconscious on the passenger seat.Did Lillian slap her that hard for her to end up like this?After a few minutes of driving, we finally arrived at the hospital.I immediately stepped out of my car and carried Alice in my arms.I ran towards the emergency room and looked for doctors who could help."Help us please!" I shouted panic evident in my voice.After a while, a nurse approached me and guided me towards the bed where he instructed me to put Alice.They started checking her while I stood on the side watching them."How's the patient?" The doctor finally arrived and started checking Alice as well."Her vitals are stable Doctor," one of the nurses responded.The doctor nodded his head as he continued checking Alice. After that, he turned his head on me."We'll run a few tests on her to check her condition," he said and I nodded my head witho
Lillian's POVI can't sleep.I am swallowed by guilt.Hours had passed but they weren't back yet.When I heard the front door open I immediately ran towards it and there I saw Marcus holding Alice as they stepped inside the penthouse.Our eyes met for a second before I directed my gaze on Alice. She looks at me blankly.She might not say it but I know she's mad at me."H-How's the baby?" I asked stuttering but she didn't respond."Amari told me that you are pregnant, I'm sorry Alice I didn't know," I looked at her apologetically. She didn't say anything. She just passed by me so Marcus attentively followed her.I was about to hold Alice to help her walk but Marcus looked at me and shook his head."Stay away from Alice, Lillian," he said in an icy tone.I slowly put my hands down and forced a smile as I nodded my head."I'm sorry," I said as I watched them walk away.
Lillian's POVI felt alone sleeping in this huge bed.Amari refuses to sleep with me...she's still mad about what happened.I don't want her to know my reasons. I don't want her to know that I was sexually harassed. I don't want her innocence to be tainted. I don't want her to look at me differently.She might be disgusted once she knew that her Mom was touched by a stranger.I am not crying and that made everything feel worse. I keep everything inside.The pain that my daughter didn't want to be near me and the guilt for putting Alice's unborn child's life in danger mixed up. I feel so bad and the only that can help me right now is drawing.I can't say my thoughts but I have to paint it out.I took my sketchbook and sat on the bed as I made random patterns until they formed into an image.I was getting distracted. I felt detached from reality once again but I was pulled back when I heard my phone ring.I took it from the side table and upon looking at the screen I saw Lucas' name."H
Lillian's POVHe owns me.He still owns me, I admit that but one thing is for sure I won't let myself be drawn on the fire again.I took a step back and looked at him blankly refusing to show any kind of emotions."Let's stop this Marcus," I firmly uttered.He just stared back at me. "Stop what?" he asked after a few seconds of silence."You know what I am talking about,"He let out a deep breath then after a while he nod his head."Do you want me to do the right thing Lillian?" he asked without any hint of humour in his tone.I bit my lower lip and I felt my tears forming on the corner of my eyes once again but I won't let it fall.I am done crying in front of him. Without any hesitation, I nod my head.Silence enveloped us and I thought he would leave but he just stood in front of me and stared at my face after a while he took a step forward closing the distance between us once again and before I could even take a step back he held my waist firmly not letting me slip from his hold.
Lillian's POVThe sun isn't up yet but Amari is already jumping on the bed, waking me up."Mommy it's time to go to school," she said.I groaned and tried covering my face with a pillow but she removed it so I had no choice but to open my eyes and look at her."Amari it's still too early," I said my eyes still half-open."It's already morning Mom,"I just let out a deep breath and sat on the bed. She immediately sat on my lap so I hugged her tightly."Are you excited?" I asked.She looks at me and happily nods her head. I can see excitement and happiness in her eyes. "Teacher Annie told us that we would play fun games with our parents and if we won we would get some prizes,"I can't help but smile seeing how excited she is for her school event.I removed the strands of her hair as I stared at her face."Are you good at playing games Mom?" she asked after a while."I guess so," I responded unsurely. I am not sure what kind of games we are playing but I'll do my best to win to make her
Lillian's POVFear.That's what I felt as I looked at my daughter's body lying on the road bathed in her blood."Help us please!" I shouted while tears were falling from my eyes.My gaze landed on Marcus who was just watching us."Help me, Marcus!" I shouted and that's when he finally came back to his senses.I saw how his hand shook as he carried Amari in his arms.He ran towards his car and I immediately followed him.I hugged my unconscious daughter and tried waking her up but still no response.When we reached the hospital Marcus carried Amari and we ran towards the emergency room."Somebody help my daughter!" he shouted looking around fear evident in his face.After a while, a nurse approached us and told Marcus to put Amari on the bed.They started checking her body while we stood in the corner looking at Amari.I can feel my hands getting cold. Tears are falling from my eyes."I'm sorry Lillian," Marcus uttered his tone filled with regret but instead of accepting his sorry I sl
Lillian's POVMy memories are still blurry but one thing remains clear.My feelings for him.I know that I love him. My heart feels happy whenever I am with him.I can't remember some memories I have with him but that won't stop me from marrying this man.When the door of the art gallery opened I felt my heart beating loudly against my chest.My hands went cold so I held the bouquet tightly trying to find some strength and ease the nervousness that I was feeling.I roamed my eyes around.I saw art hanging on the wall and everything looked familiar to me but I can't tell when I exactly saw it or what particular memory it holds.As I took a step forward all eyes were on me. People who are close to us are watching my step closely and it made me even more nervous so I fixated my gaze on him...to the man who can calm my storm.He smiled at me but he wiped something on the corner of his eyes as if he was crying.Seeing him cry made the corner of my eyes water as well but I suppressed it so
Marcus's POVI felt my heart swell in happiness as I wrapped them in my arms.The emptiness that I had been trying to battle for a year was now gone.Everything feels complete again.She's finally here.She came back just like what she promised."I told Daddy, Mommy will come back just like what she promised,"A soft chuckle escaped my lips when I heard Amari utter those words.We broke off the hug and my gaze drifted on Lillian again.She's smiling genuinely. A kind of smile that reaches her eyes indicating that she is truly happy."Thank you for not giving up," she uttered.My hand reached for her face and gently caressed her cheeks.I still can't believe it.It feels like a dream seeing her stand in front of me looking at me with her eyes filled with love and happiness."Thank you for coming back," I whispered as my hands gently caressed her cheeks.She leaned her face on my palm and closed her eyes as she found comfort in the warmth of my hand.She looks peaceful to watch.I alway
Lillian's POVI saw happiness glistening in his eyes as he looked at me.He looked happy when I told him about the glimpse of memory that I had but I wasn't sure if it was mine or if my mind was playing tricks on me.I was confused if I was Lillian or if I was just forcing myself to believe that I was Lillian just to fill the memories that I had lost.Up until now I still can't remember anything and it frustrates me.I am slowly doubting my parents wondering if they are telling the truth or making me believe in lies.But why would they do that? Why would they lie to me?Why am I doubting them just because of this man in front of me whom I barely knew?His happiness was replaced by confusion when I fell silent.He was about to hold my hand but I hid it behind me afraid that if he touched me I might feel something again.Pain crossed his eyes when I refused to be touched by him."What's wrong?" he asked pain filling his voice.I shook my head and avoided his gaze. I focused my eyes in f
Marcus's POVI finished my work early so I headed home.I searched the house to look for the kids until I heard giggles coming from the garden.I followed the laughter and there I saw Amari sitting on a small chair while painting a flower on the canvas while Augustus was on his stroller playing with his toy.My gaze then shifted to Isabelle.She's smiling while putting some colours on the canvas.She's painting the same sunset that she ruined.Her every stroke reminds me of Lillian.I was taken back to that moment when I watched Lillian draw the sunset.The way she put colour on the canvas is the same way Lillian coloured the sky.I watched her every moment intently and as I watched how she mixed different colors I felt my heart ache.She's Lillian.I am sure she's Lillian but why is she lying to us?Why is she hiding in the name of Isabelle?Does she forget about us?Or maybe I am just being drowned in longing once again making myself believe that Lillian is still alive?Maybe I am j
Isabelle's POVMy heart started to race.When I stepped inside the cab I held my chest tightly and let out heavy breaths, panting as if I came from a long run.After giving my address to the driver I leaned my head against the window and focused my attention outside.Why am I acting this way?Why did my heart race when he kissed me?"Maam we are already here,"I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard the driver speak.I immediately handed my fare and stepped out of the cab.I stared at the house standing in front of me.It was a white house just enough for a small family.I grew up here they said but this place doesn't feel familiar.I can't remember any memories I have in this house. Even fragments.It's been a year since the accident happened but I still can't remember anything.They are telling me stories but it doesn't ring a bell. I can't find it inside me, the memories they telling.I let out a deep breath and walked towards our house.The moment I stepped inside I heard my
Marcus's POVI can't look away.I am having a hard time processing everything.She looks exactly like Lillian.Her hair is a bit different since it was cut short but her other features resemble Lillian.The only difference is that she looks at us differently.She looks confused as if she's looking at a stranger."Your name is Isabelle?" I asked still having a hard time accepting that she's not Lillian.She slowly nods her head. "Yes Sir," she politely responded.I saw her gaze shifted to Amari. Her gaze lingered before she looked at me again."My Mom left for a while to process some documents for my father's operation so she told me to look after your son for a while. I am sorry she's in a hurry so she failed to inform you,"She talks so gently.Her voice sounds exactly like Lillian and while I listened to her I felt pain surge in my system.She reminds me of Lillian and it hurts."I'm sorry if we scared you. You look exactly like my late wife so we thought you were her,"I swallowed
Marcus's POVIt's been a year since she left but I am still mourning. Everything still feels empty and I have no idea if I will ever recover.If Amari isn't here I bet I already killed myself. She's the only reason why I chose to survive each day.She needs a father so I have to be strong and act like I am still okay even though my insides are shattered into pieces."Daddy, where's my uniform?" I heard her shouting from her room.I immediately wiped my hands and hurriedly ran towards my daughter.Upon opening her room I saw her searching her cabinet."It's here. I ironed it earlier," I said as I got the uniform hanging on her cabinet."Once you're done here head to the kitchen and eat your breakfast okay?" She smiled at me and nodded her head.I stared at her face for quite some time before I smiled back.I always do that whenever I miss Lillian. I always stare at our daughter's face because I can see a glimpse of her in Amari.Whenever I look at Amari it feels like she's still here.
Marcus's POV"Daddy,"It was that soft call that made me lift my head.When I saw my daughter standing in front of me with tears streaming down her face I felt my chest tightened.I can see Lillian in Amari. She looks like her and that made everything feel heavy.I tried to act strong in front of her but when her small arms pulled me into a tight hug the tears that I had been suppressing fell non-stop.I cried on my daughter's shoulder, releasing all the pain and heaviness inside me.I thought after crying the pain and heaviness inside my chest would vanish or somehow lessen but nothing happened.My tears already dried out but the pain didn't subside. It still feels too much.When Amari broke off the hug she cupped my face and smiled at me."Let's go home, Daddy. Let's wait for me Mommy in our house. Let's wait for her in our home,"I bit my lower lip when tears were about to fall once again.I stared at my daughter's face and I can't help but blame myself for what happened.If I just
Lillian's POVDays after what happened Amari finally decided to come with Marcus.I don't want to let her go but for now, I have to but I'll make sure to work hard so I can get my daughter's custody.Carrying all my things I stepped out of the house and grabbed a taxi to go towards Marcus' place.I still have things to do. I need to finish the artwork because he already paid for it. I can feel that Alice doesn't want my presence but she has no choice.When I arrived at the house it was awfully quiet so I started searching for them.I put my things first in the living room before I started roaming around.After a while I heard voices coming from the room upstairs so I traced it.I didn't want to eavesdrop but curiosity filled me especially when I heard my daughter's name.I recognized their voices. It was Alice and Matthew's voices."Why can't we just tell them the truth? Just come with me, Alice. Why do you have to go crazy over Marcus when he is treating you this way?" I hear desperat