Marcus's POVThe news ended, and Gabriel's face vanished from the screen, but his words lingered.After a while, Amanda stepped inside the living room, looking at us with her face filled with confusion."What's happening here?" she asked, shifting her gaze to her husband and then to us.Before they could say anything, I stood up and gently pulled Lillian out of the couch.When I turned my head to Lillian, her face was pale, and she froze in place. "Love, let's go," I said, pulling her back to reality.She nodded her head and let me lead her out of the house, but before we could leave, Nicholas spoke."The news... is it true?" he asked, anticipation filling his eyes.I fell silent and hid Lillian behind my back, protecting her in case they would think of forcefully taking her from me.Nicholas didn't break off the gaze. "You killed someone?"I fell silent when I heard his question. I was torn if I should tell him everything or we should just run away again and find another place to hid
Marcus's POVI stormed out of the bathroom, but I could still hear Lillian's laughter.I walked around the room, but it wasn't helping, so I decided to put the aircon at the lowest temperature.I can feel the room getting cold, but not me. I sat at the edge of the bed and palmed myself, and my eyes unconsciously gazed at my pants where I saw it bulging.I let out a deep breath, trying to think of ways to recover, but all I kept on seeing was Lillian's naked body, and it wasn't helping at all.It wasn't back to normal yet when the door swung open, and I saw Lillian in her silk nightwear, walking towards her vanity mirror with a mischievous look.I immediately turned the temperature of the aircon a bit higher, so it wouldn't be too cold for her.Lillian sat in the mirror, and I could feel her throwing glances at me. Her mischievous smile vanished when she saw me struggling, and it was now replaced with guilt.After a while, she stood up and started walking towards me. My heart started b
Lillian's POVI felt a soft kiss on my cheeks, and upon opening my eyes, I saw Marcus wearing a shirt and sweatpants."Sorry I woke you up," he said.I sat on the bed and turned my head to the glass window. When I saw that it is still dark, my eyebrows furrowed, and that's when I realized that he has plans to go fishing with Nicholas.Marcus sat on the bed and held my hand."I'm sorry," he said, looking at me apologetically.My forehead creased when I heard him apologize. "Why are you saying sorry?"Marcus let out a deep breath, then gently caressed my hand."I'm sorry I have to leave you here. I... I don't have enough money to support us, so I have to work,"I could see guilt in his eyes, so I gently held his face and smiled at him."I understand.""You aren't used to this kind of lifestyle, Lillian. I will work hard, I promise, so you don't have to adjust. I will do everything to give you the life that you deserve. It might not be as grand as the life that you grew up with, but I wi
Lillian's POVAfter having breakfast at Amanda and Nichola's house, I asked Marcus if we could stay for a while, and he agreed."You draw flowers so well, Sister Lillian," a little girl with blonde hair happily uttered.Smiling, I handed her the brush and guided her hands as she drew a flower on a canvas. Once she was done, she proudly showed her drawing to everyone before turning to me again.I pinched her cheek, making her giggle. "Good job," I said.After showing them how to draw flowers, I encouraged the kids to draw anything they wanted."Once you're done with your drawings, I'll teach you how to write your names, okay?""Yes, Ma'am," the kids uttered in unison, making my smile widen. As the kids were busy drawing, I stood up and walked over to Marcus.Sitting beside him, I rested my head on his shoulder."Are you tired?" he asked.I shook my head and closed my eyes as the cold wind blew."It's fun teaching them," I replied.I held Marcus' hand and started playing with his finger
Marcus's POVI stepped out of the bathroom and the moment I did I saw Lillian sitting on the bed looking at a huge glass window, watching the sunset.I walked towards her and the moment I saw her face my eyebrows furrowed when I saw tears falling from her eyes.My gaze lowered and there I saw her holding my phone."Love what's wrong?" I kneeled on the floor so our faces would level.Lillian met my gaze. She stared at my face while tears are falling from her eyes."You will go to jail," she said which made my forehead crease.I took my phone from her hand to see what she have seen and there I saw Alice's message.Alice:'The court issued a warrant of arrest. You have been found guilty of killing Martha and abducting Lillian.'I let out a deep breath and turned my gaze back on Lillian. I gently held her face and brushed away her tears."I won't go in jail," Tears continue to fall from her eyes so I pulled her into a hug and gently caress her back to soothe her."What if Dad finds us he
Marcus's POVI stood there frozen, unable to move, but when I heard Lillian calling me, I ran towards her, not minding the guns pointed in my direction.I pulled her into a tight hug. "It's okay...don't cry, I'm here."Lillian looked at me, her eyes filled with tears. I brushed off her tears and smiled at her, reassuring her, "Don't cry...everything will be okay."Their footsteps were getting closer. I hid Lillian behind my back and faced the police."Marcus Sullivan, I need you to let go of the hostage's arm and come with us," a police officer said, pointing his gun towards me."He didn't kidnap me. We eloped. He didn't kidnap me...Dad is lying," Lillian butted in between her sobs.I gently squeezed her hand and faced her once again, brushing away her tears and cupping her face. "Stop crying, please Love, it won't be good for Amari. We have to be strong, okay?"Lillian stared at my face for a while, then nodded her head. I leaned in, planting a soft kiss on her forehead before gazing
Marcus's POVSitting on a cold floor, leaning my head against the cold bar became my position for hours.I patiently waited for an update about Lillian's condition but nothing came. They didn't give me any answer so my only hope now is Matthew.Probably by now, he is getting Lillian's statement. I hope he won't stress her though since it won't be good for our Amari.I know we will get through this. We have to get through this.After a few hours, I saw Alice instead of Matthew. I felt anger surge in my system so instead of facing her I directed my gaze on the wall and acted like I didn't see her."I know you are mad at me," she said but I didn't bother to look at her.I remained sitting on the floor ignoring her presence."Lillian was taken by her father," And by hearing those words I stood up and faced her."What do you mean Alice?" I asked and held her wrist. I saw pain cross her eyes so I loosened my hold. "You promised you will give her protection," "I did. I tried protecting her
Marcus's POVDying without shedding any blood is the most painful death of all.They just know that I am grieving...that I am in pain little did they know I am already on the verge of dying but no one noticed because instead of blood I am shedding tears.I want to be deaf so I won't hear the painful truth. I want to go back in time because I felt like I didn't do anything to save my child.There are so many things that I want to do but I can't because all I can do now is to mourn for the child that I have lost. The child that I haven't held but already taken from me.Lillian didn't even give me a chance to see what Amari looks like. I didn't even feel her tiny little hands holding my finger. I didn't even see her smile. I didn't even hear her cute giggles. I wasn't given a chance to hear her little voice calling me Daddy."You're lying," That's all I can say and that's what I want to believe in that she is lying but when she handed me a paper which serves as proof that she had an ab
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