Marcus's POVI felt at ease now that we were finally okay.Earlier, fear filled me when I heard Lillian crying in the bathroom, refusing to talk to me. I was terrified that she might end our relationship, but now that things were resolved, I could finally breathe."How long do you plan to stay here, Marcus?" Martha asked during breakfast.I glanced at Lillian, and she seemed curious about my response. I turned my attention back to Martha."I have to leave tomorrow morning. I still have work left in Washington," I explained.Martha nodded and then looked at Lillian, who tried to hide her sadness behind a smile."Does Gabriel know that you are here?" Martha asked, so I turned my attention to her again."I don't know. I rushed to the airport when I heard that you had already left. I didn't get a chance to tell anyone that I was flying to London," I replied.Martha nodded and resumed eating, so I looked at Lillian once more.She was quiet and avoided looking at me. Under the table, I he
Lillian's POVI woke up to a gentle kiss on my cheek, and as I opened my eyes, Marcus stood before me.He looks like he is ready to leave."Sorry for waking you," he said before sitting on the bed's edge. I crawled toward him, hugging his waist.He chuckled softly, stroking my hair tenderly."I have to leave, Love," he said, when I heard that I pouted, sadness creeping into me."Already?" I asked, the heaviness evident.Marcus sighed, nodding. "I'll be back before you know it," he said, trying to comfort me with a smile, but the sadness lingered."I'll wait for you," I said.Marcus smiled, gazing at my face, then planted a soft kiss on my lips."Don't attract too many boys, please," he joked, and I laughed."I'm not attracting them," I defended myself."Why do you have to be this beautiful, anyway?" he teased, making my cheeks blush.I playfully slapped his arm and glared, but he just laughed."I'll be back next weekend. I cooked breakfast for you, make sure to eat those," he said.
Marcus's POVI focused my gaze on the computer screen, studying the document containing the statement my client had given me."You're pulling all-nighters again?" Alice said, stepping into my office.I turned to look at her and nodded silently.I thought she would leave, but instead, she sat down in the chair across from my desk, where clients usually sit."Do you need anything?" I asked.Alice stared at my face for a while before sighing heavily."Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?" she asked, her eyes fixed on me."What do you mean?" I asked, confused by her question."You look like a mess, Marcus. Have you seen the dark circles around your eyes, and you've lost so much weight in just a few days from staying up all night and skipping meals," she said.Taking a deep breath, I set the documents aside and focused entirely on Alice."I have to win this case. I need to find evidence-" Alice let out a sarcastic laugh, interrupting what I am about to say."And you still have a mont
Marcus's POVI stared at my phone screen after the call ended.Gabriel's words kept echoing in my mind."Marcus!" A voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see Alice at the door, her eyebrows furrowed with concern."Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes filled with worry.I took a deep breath and nodded."Do you need anything?" I asked."I have a trial today, do you want to attend?" she asked, and I nodded again, walking out of my office with her.We left the law firm together, driving separately to the court.After a few minutes, we arrived at the court, and Alice headed towards the defence side while I sat in the front row.As the trial began, I found myself unable to concentrate. My mind was drifting, lost in my thoughts."Marcus," Alice called, bringing me back to the present."It's done. Let's go," she said, and I looked around to realize I was the only one left on the bench."Yeah, sorry," I said, standing up and leaving the courtroom.I could feel Alice's concerned gl
Lillian's POVI stared at my phone screen, waiting for Marcus to call. I had been doing it for hours, but my eyes just got sore from the constant staring, and still, I received nothing.Eventually, I heard the doorbell ring, and I rushed out of bed, hurrying down the stairs. I almost tripped, but I managed to reach the door without any injury.With excitement, I swung the door open, hoping to see Marcus, but my hopes were dashed when I saw Alexander standing outside the house, wearing a huge smile.My mouth gaped in shock and disappointment, but before I could even recover, he pulled me into a tight hug."I missed you, Lillian," he said, gazing at my face with happiness in his eyes.I forced an awkward smile and widened the door's opening."Come in," I said, guiding him towards the living room."Do you like it here?" he asked."Yeah," I simply responded, taking a seat across from him."Do you want anything? Coffee? Tea?" I offered, but he shook his head."I am fine, Lillian. Where is
Lillian's POVAwkwardness engulfed us, but I couldn't muster the courage to voice my thoughts. Instead, I smiled awkwardly and continued eating, trying to forget what he said.I had an idea what he meant by those words, but I feared confronting it as I knew it would create complications.Silence settled in, and Alexander contented himself with stealing glances at my side, searching for the perfect moment to speak, which he never found."L-Let's go," I finally said when I finished eating.I wiped the side of my lips, looking at Alexander, waiting for his response.He stared at my face once again, and then he let out a deep breath and nodded his head.After settling the bill, we stepped out of the restaurant and headed towards our car.Alexander opened the door for me, and then he walked to the other side and sat in the driver's seat. He turned his head towards me."It's still early, let's go somewhere else," he suggested.I wanted to disagree, but seeing the anticipation in his eyes ma
Lillian's POVAs I gazed at his face, guilt overwhelmed me.I could see the pain in his eyes.He looked at me as though I had betrayed him."Marcus..." I softly called his name and tried to hold his hand, but he brushed away my grasp."Do you believe in me, Lillian?" he asked, peering into my eyes. Faint hope shimmered in his gaze, expecting me to say yes, but I fell silent... lost for words.How can I accuse Alexander of raping someone when I've known him my entire life, and all he showed me was kindness?Alexander became my companion and sort of a second dad when my biological father ignored me.He treated everyone with kindness and was good to people, so I can't fathom if he is truly capable of doing such things."Alexander is a good man..." I said, and when he heard those words, he looked at me in disbelief, a sarcastic smile gracing his lips."Because he is a great pretender, Lillian. Everything he has shown you are his good sides, but in fact, he is nothing but a devil who abuse
Lillian's POVI woke up to a gentle kiss on my cheek, and as I opened my eye, I saw Marcus gazing at me with adoration in his eyes."Good morning," he said, his smile beaming at me.I returned the smile, staring back at his face, wondering if this was all a dream. To make sure, I pecked him on the lips, and when I felt his warm, soft lips, my smile widened."Good morning," I greeted in return."You should get ready, you'll be late for school," he reminded me, and suddenly, I remembered that my classes started today. I jumped out of bed and rushed towards the bathroom, eager to make a good impression and arrive at class extra early.After a quick bath, I dressed in a black turtleneck and black pants, along with a trench coat to ward off the cold. I completed the outfit with a pair of boots. Keeping my makeup simple, I wanted to ensure I didn't look too pale. Once ready, I headed to the kitchen where Marcus and Martha were busy preparing breakfast.Marcus walked over, taking my hand,
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