Lillian's POVAll I can see is red.Tears are falling from my eyes and I can feel my body shaking as I look at the blood on the floor."I-I'm sorry,"I turned my gaze to my father who was looking at Alexander's body. He looks scared and regret is evident in his face."I-I didn't mean to kill him,"I want to comfort him and hug him but I can't move. I stood there frozen in place clueless about what I should do.I feel lost.I am still processing everything that has happened.Everything happens so fast.After a while, I felt a warm hand caressing my arm and when I turned on the side I saw Rose looking at me with her eyes filled with worry."Where's Amari?" That's the first thing that I asked when I saw her.She brushed away my tears using her thumb and pulled me into a tight hug. "She's in her room Maam. Don't worry I told her to stay there and don't go outside,"I nodded my head as I held the hem of her shirt tightly.I can still feel my body shivering in fear.Rose guided me out of th
Lillian's POVI was caught off guard.Matthew looks like he already knows the truth so there is no point in denying it.Will he tell Marcus about Amari?I didn't voice out my thought but it seems like he can tell what is going on inside my mind."You are on the verge of downfall again Lillian," he said as he took a step closer and looked at me with his cold gaze. "Is that why you called Marcus? You will use Amari to save you from this mess?"I shook my head aggressively to deny his accusation. Using my daughter to get Marcus's help didn't cross my mind. All I want is for Amari to be safe...nothing more."I just want my daughter out of this chaotic place Matthew, that's all,"Instead of listening to my words he shook his head and let out a sarcastic laugh. He looked at me in disbelief refusing to believe the words I had uttered."You can't fool anyone here Lillian. I know you. You will do everything to save yourself even though it will wreck other people," he paused and looked at me fr
Marcus's POVI felt my chest clenched as I stared at Amari peacefully sleeping.I felt happy but for some reason...I feel pain maybe because she reminded me of Amari...my Amari.I always wonder what she would look like if she ever got the chance to live. I always wonder who will she look like more. Will she look like Lillian or will she look like me?"She's already asleep?"When I heard Alice's voice I looked at her and stood up."Yeah, she must be tired,"Alice stared at my face intently then she reached for my hand."Why are you looking at me like that?"I can see worry in Alice's eyes which made me confused.She shook her head and smiled at me before taking a glance at Amari."She's not your daughter Marcus,"I know that but when she said those words I felt like being stabbed in the chest. "I know," I replied, weakly."I can see it in your eyes. You look at her full of love."My eyebrows furrowed as I listened to her words. "What's your point, Alice?"She smiled and met my gaze. "
Lillian's POVI was released after giving my statement and the moment I stepped out of the police station I grabbed a taxi to bring me to Marcus's condominium.After a few minutes of driving the taxi finally stopped at a tall building where wealthy people live.I handed my fare to the driver and walked towards the building but before I could step in the guard stopped me."Excuse me Maam but we don't accept visitors-""It's okay Mr. Smith, I know her," It was Alice's voice who interrupted the guard and upon turning my head I was right. Alice is standing behind me."H-Hi," I awkwardly greeted.She didn't say anything and just passed by me and I had no idea if I should follow or not."Aren't you coming?" she coldly asked when she noticed I wasn't moving."Y-Yeah I'm sorry," I said and immediately followed her.I quietly walked behind her and the entire elevator ride was quiet."This way," she said the moment we stepped out of the elevator.I followed her until we stopped at the only roo
Marcus's POVLonging.That's what I felt the moment they stepped out of my unit. I felt like something was taken from me."Do you want to follow them?" When I heard Alice's voice I turned to her.I am hurting her, I can see that. My unintentional actions caused her pain.I held her shoulder and locked her gaze with mine. I smiled and shook my head. "This will be the last time I will help Lillian, I promise,"She stared at my face and after a while, she let out a deep breath."Am I being too much?" she asked worry evident in her tone. "No, Alice, I understand. I know you have doubts in me but I promise I am over Lillian."I cupped her face and planted a soft kiss on her lips. I leaned my forehead on her and closed my eyes."I love you Alice and I will spend the rest of my life proving that,"We stayed in that position for quite some time before we decided to get ready for work.When we arrived at A&M Law Firm gossip about the incident that happened in the White House filled the halls
Lillian's POVOur life changed drastically and I don't know where to start.We left the White House, the place where I grew up.All of our properties were taken by the government. They froze all of our accounts and now I don't have any idea where I should get money to support our living expenses.Rose insisted on staying and helping me build a new life but I know she is also struggling financially. She has a family to support so I can't selfishly take her with me.But before she left she helped me find an affordable apartment where Amari and I could stay in the meantime.It was just a small apartment with one bedroom and a small kitchen but it's fine, I guess we can live here."Mommy I'm hungry," Amari said the moment she woke up.I smiled at her and gently caressed her face. "What do you want to eat?""Croissant," My smile faded because we didn't have that. It was a simple request but it weighed heavy because it made me realize that our life is indeed different from what we have bef
Marcus's POVPanic filled her eyes as she looked at me."Daddy lives here Mom?" Amari innocently asked looking at Lillian whose gaze is fixed on me.Lillian shifted her gaze to her daughter and let out an awkward chuckle."N-No." she nervously responded then turned her gaze back on me and then to Alice."W-We have to go," She hurriedly left while Amari kept on throwing glances at us. I can also see the confusion on her daughter's face.I watched them as they walked away. Lillian grabbed a taxi and before getting inside the vehicle she looked at us quickly before they disappeared."What's wrong with her?" Alice confusedly asked also looking at where they disappeared.I looked at her and shook my head having no idea what was happening. "I don't know," I responded even though Amari's words triggered something inside me again.The moment we stepped inside my unit Alice volunteered to cook our dinner while I headed towards my room to call Matthew.After a few rings, he finally answered t
Lillian's POVI can feel him throwing glances on my side but I ignore it and focus all my attention on mopping the floor.He already finished his coffee but he's still sitting at the table.When he stood up I felt relieved because I thought he would leave already but I was wrong.After a while, he came back holding a coffee in his hand.I looked at him...confused and when he caught me looking he raised his eyebrows so I immediately looked away.Why is he still here?It's been an hour.Doesn't he have work to do?Or maybe he wants to watch how miserable my life turned out?When I was done mopping the floor I started cleaning the table.I could feel my back aching but I ignored it and continued doing my work.I need to leave a good impression on the owner of this coffee shop...this is the only store that accepted me after I applied countless times.While I was wiping the table I heard Marcus's voice. I don't want to eavesdrop but I unintentionally heard the conversation."I'll visit her
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