Lillian's POVIt was a foreign place filled with unfamiliar faces.Everything feels different but I somehow felt at peace knowing that in here I will be able to start a new life with my daughter without fear of being judged.I felt free and the heaviness in my chest was lifted.I can still feel longing for that familiar place. Familiar scent. Familiar face.I long for him and I know Amari too but staying with him made everything chaotic.Staying with him means ruining the life he is building with Alice."Our family own a small house here, you can stay there as long as you want. You can treat it as your home,"Lucas said while he was busy putting all our things inside his car.Once done he faced me and flashed a warm smile."You will like it here. It's peaceful staying in here. I usually go here whenever I am looking for inspiration to paint. Almost all of my pieces are created here," he said then he took Amari from my arm.Amari fell asleep from hours of travelling.I watched Lucas as
Lillian's POVTime had passed and we slowly adjusted to our new life.We are still staying at Lucas's house since I still can't find a good place where Amari and I can live and besides his parents also insist that we should stay here so it won't be empty.It was hard for me to decline their offer and besides I am still having a hard time finding a suitable house to live in, so I was left with no choice."Are you going to sell it, Mommy?"Amari asked while I was busy creating a new piece.I nodded my head and took a glance at my daughter who was sitting beside me as she watched me to paint."Maybe. If it turns out good then Mommy might consider selling it," I said as I focused all my attention on mixing the colour.I used to paint as a hobby but Lucas encouraged me to sell it so I tried and it turned out good.I have been displaying my artwork in exhibits but under an anonymous name since I am still afraid that people will judge me instead of appreciating the piece that I made.I want
Lillian's POV"Are you okay?" Lucas's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.I looked at him and smiled to assure him that I was okay when in fact the thought that Marcus would be my client bothers me.I already called Angel telling her that I had changed my mind and I'll decline the offer but she told me that Marcus insisted since his wife loves my artwork.So they are already married.I haven't heard any news about their wedding well how would I when after leaving I completely cut off my connection with him?I sometimes get tempted to check how he is doing but I stopped myself for peace of mind.I am glad they decided to get married, at least our leaving made them happy."You haven't touched your food," Lucas uttered worry evident in his tone as he looked at me intently.I let out a deep breath to calm myself. "Marcus is gonna be my client," I confessed.It took him a while to process it but after a while, he nodded his head as if my words finally sank in."You accepted his offer?" I
Marcus's POVIt hits again, the longing.It always keeps me up at night.It was always the silent and dark night that accompanied me whenever I missed them.It's been a year but I still haven't heard any news about them.They probably forgotten about me.They are probably living while I am still here stuck where they left me.It was my son's cry that pulled me out of my thoughts.I was about to stand up to get my son from his crib when Alice did it first.I watched her as she swayed Augustus our one-month-old son.It took her a minute to make him stop from crying and when he finally did she carefully put him back on his crib before getting back to our bed.When she lay down she snuggled on my chest."Why are you still awake?" she asked in a sleepy tone.I looked at her and when our eyes met I just shook my head and smiled."I don't know," I said even though the reason was crystal clear.I can't sleep because my mind is occupied thinking about Amari and Lillian."Are you still thinking
Lillian's POVI can feel him looking at me but I ignored him...completely.He's not the reason why I am here. I am here for my father.After everything he did to me and Mom, I still care for him. I can't erase the fact that he is still my father and I still want to see him.There were a few moments when he became a father to me.He might treated me differently but at some point, I felt his love...I felt his care.Before he spends the rest of his life in prison I want to see him. I want to see his face."Lifetime imprisonment," The judge's verdict echoed in the whole room.Instead of creating a scene and defending himself, Dad nodded his head and then shifted his gaze to me.When our eyes met he smiled and a tear fell from his eyes."I'm sorry Lillian," he muttered. "I love you," he added before the guards took him away.I wanted to run after him and hug him but I remained sitting on the bench and watched my father being taken.I didn't notice a tear that fell from my eyes. I wasn't a
Marcus's POVI held Amari tightly as if she would be taken away from me.I won't let her slip from my hold again.I lost so many years not being with her and I don't want to prolong that."Amari come to Mommy please," Lillian pleaded weakly.Amari turned her head on her. She looked at her mother all confused."What's wrong?" she asked.I didn't say anything I just watched Lillian as she got near us.She took Amari.I didn't want our daughter to think that we were fighting or something so I let her take Amari but before letting my daughter slip from my hold I whispered in Lillian's ear. "Try escaping again and I'll make sure you will regret it,"Fear crossed her eyes. I saw how her hands shook. She didn't say anything. She just held Amari tightly."I'll see you in court Lillian," I said before shifting my gaze back on Amari.I looked at our daughter with gentleness completely different from the way I looked at Lillian.I held her little hands and smiled at her. "I missed you, Amari,"
Lillian's POVI watched as my daughter sat on the porch waiting for Marcus to arrive."Amari let's have breakfast first," I called her.She looked at me and shook her head. "I'll wait for Daddy, Mommy," she said bringing her gaze back in front.I let out a deep breath and walked towards her.I sat in the space beside her and when she felt my presence she looked at me again."If your father didn't arrive in fifteen minutes you have to eat your breakfast without him, okay?" She pouted her lips as she nodded her head.I patiently sat beside her as we both waited for Marcus to arrive.Fifteen minutes had passed but he wasn't there yet so I stood up and gave my hand to her.I saw sadness in her eyes as she took my hand.We were about to step inside the house when I heard the sound of the vehicle.Upon turning around I saw Marcus's car parked in front.Amari immediately let go of my hand and ran towards her father."Daddy you came!" she happily uttered.A smile grace on my lips as I watche
Marcus's POVOur supposed to be bonding was ruined when Matthew appeared.I felt bad because my daughter's excitement vanished.I want to punch Matthew for saying all those words.He should've just talked to me privately instead of creating a scene in that mall.He should've talked to me alone."Settle your problem with Alice first. I don't want to get involved in your issue, especially Amari," Lillian firmly uttered.I can see it. She's mad about what happened."I'm sorry, I'll talk to Matthew don't worry," I said to assure her.She didn't say anything. She just passed by me and headed towards their room leaving me in the living room all alone.She won't talk to me. She refused to talk to me so I had no choice but to leave that house without having a proper conversation with Lillian.After a few minutes of driving, I finally arrived at the house where Alice and I were currently staying.When I stepped inside the house it was all empty and quiet.Fear consumed me and thoughts that the
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