The drive-in to the Allen estate was filled with complete silence as Lily deliberately ignored Rayan’s presence. Throughout the whole ride, she kept leaning her head on the car’s window while gazing outside. Rayan tried to engage her in some conversation; however, her dry answers and lack of response made him give up. He didn't know what went wrong between them once again. He had to talk to her properly after they returned home because they couldn't go on like this. The car drove through the Allen estate’s driveway before parking in an empty spot. Lily slowly straightened her back without sparing Rayan a glance. The chauffeur came and opened the door for her, making her nod at him in acknowledgement. Grabbing her purse and phone, Lily walked out of the car. Her eyes scanned her surroundings while her heartbeat suddenly quickened, making her palms sweaty. That house gave her the worst nightmare of her life and standing before it, she suddenly realised she didn't want to go back there
Lily excused herself to go and get some fresh air from the crowds. She was feeling suffocated inside with every second she spent in that house. Her insides were getting paranoid and anxious because of fear. She was afraid they would do something to hurt her or her child if she stayed there for long; however, she was helpless in front of her stubborn father, who refused to leave till Amalia cut the cake because, in his words, it was disrespectful towards his son-in-law. Lily really wanted to laugh and ask his father which son-in-law he was talking about. The one who betrayed and cheated on his daughter, or the one who was preparing to divorce his pregnant daughter? Her being pregnant all of a sudden changed everything. She wanted to leave this marriage and walk away from Rayan, but the moment her pregnancy got involved, she was hesitating. She kept her pride and self-respect aside before making a decision. She knew once she walked out of Rayan’s life, she would never look back or let h
After Christian found Lily outside the Allen house in a messy state, He was taken aback at the sight of her, almost not recognizing his own daughter. She looked completely lifeless when he found her standing in a dark corner, waiting for him. Christian didn't waste any time, as he brought Lily directly to his home. She didn't say a single word, no matter how many times he asked her what was going on. Her lips remained sealed as she sat on the passenger side of his car, looking out blankly. Christian understood she needed time to recover from whatever she was going through; therefore, he decided to give up pestering her. The moment they reached his house, Lily got out of the car before running into her bedroom and then locking the door. She didn't come out, no matter how many times Christian called her. The only response he managed to get out of her was that she needed some time alone. The first time Lily came out of her room, it was almost a day later. She looked like a wreck as she
“Are you kidding me, Lily?” Rayan burst into humorless chuckles while shooting her the question. He couldn't believe the words left her mouth at all. Why was she suddenly asking for a divorce? “Do I look like I'm kidding?” Lily fired back with a dead serious voice while starting back into his eyes. At that moment, Rayan realized how serious she looked. She wasn't joking, and this fueled his anger. “What game are you trying to play, Lily, because now I’m getting fucking tired of your games?” Rayan vented while taking dangerous steps towards her. His words finally broke the facade Lily was trying to hold as she let out a dry chuckle while shaking her head. “Everything is game to you and your so-called family, isn't it?” She shook her head while crossing her arms over her chest. There was so much inside her, yet she was holding herself back from speaking any of it. She just wanted to get away from him without losing or wounding her pride further. “So now you are blaming me for this?”
Around the afternoon, Lily was casually sitting in the living room of her father’s apartment, lost in her thoughts while waiting for Noah to return from school, when she received a call from an unknown number. She didn't pick up the call, even though she was staring at the caller ID. However, when the phone rang for the second time, she decided to pick it up. “Hello.” She answered after clearing her throat a little. An unfamiliar male voice from the other side answered, making her frown. “Is this Mrs. Lily Allen?” The male voice asked, making Lily pause because of her sudden bitterness. The surname Allen brought back so many unwanted thoughts, which she tried to escape. “Y-yeah. Who’s this?” She swallowed the bitterness before answering the person’s question. “Mrs Allen, I'm Robert Wilson, your father’s colleague. Christian was arrested by the police a few minutes ago, and they are taking him to the police station. Please visit the New York City police department as soon as pos
After talking to her father, Lily left the police station to go to the Allen Corporation to meet Rayan since she couldn't get him through the call. Anger, hurt, betrayal, frustration, and helplessness were the few emotions that were clouding her thoughts. She still couldn't believe they would degrade so low and do that to her. What was her father’s fault in all this? He was innocent, yet they framed him just because they wanted her to suffer. She already agreed to divorce Rayan; then why was his family doing this to her? Lily wiped away her tears while continuously calling Rayan’s number, which had been switched off for the past hour. With a frustrated groan, Lily cut the call when it didn't get through. She tried to call Asher, his secretary, but he also wouldn't pick up her calls. A sudden thought of her father spending the next few days in jail crossed her mind, making her shiver in fear. That couldn't happen. She would never let her father spend a single day in jail when he was i
Lily slowly opened her eyes while trying to adjust to the sudden source of light. She blinks a few times to adapt her vision before checking her surroundings. A frown broke on her face as she slowly got up from the bed while looking around herself in confusion. The bunch of moving nurses, doctors, and patients alongside the white curtains cleared her suspicion. She was in the hospital. But how? She looked at her hand, which was covered in IV drips. As she tried to remember what happened, one by one, the memories from the previous night played in her head like a flashback. The last thing she remembered was calling and getting into it. However, since she was completely soaked in the cold rain, she was shivering badly. She probably caught a fever because of exhaustion and a cold before passing out in the taxi. Lily let out a groan when she tried to move her body. Her whole body was aching in pain. She looked down at her body and found herself dressed in blue hospital clothes. Letting ou
Back to the present- “You always blame me for the crimes I didn't even commit. You did it five years ago, and you are still doing it.” Rayan finally spoke up, breaking the long, agonizing silence between them. Anthea, who was busy wiping her tears with the back of her palm, looked up at him and let out a mocking sneer. “Blame? It's such a heavy word, Mr. Allen. I wouldn't call it blame when I have proof of your crimes.” Anthea chuckled while shaking her head. Her voice was still heavy with emotions from the outburst she had a few minutes ago. She even lost track of time because of her trip down memory lane. “Then show me the proof. Tell me what my crimes are. Tell me what I did. Tell me, why did you divorce and leave me? Why Lily? Give me the fucking answers.” Rayan demanded in a frustrated voice while taking steps towards her before caging her between the railings of the balcony and his body. Anthea was caught completely off guard, as she was trapped by Rayan’s tall figure with
"Why are we here, Rayan?" Anthea asked the moment she realised where Rayan had brought her! This was the place she dreaded coming to the most.Her father’s grave! Anthea’s mind went blank just thinking of this place. She had never visited this place in the last six years. She just couldn’t go there. Never. It had given her so many memories, sorrows, and pains, along with happiness. "Just trust me, please, baby.""But Rayan, you know I can't." Anthea shook her head; her voice sounded broken and vulnerable. Rayan quickly hugged her, rubbing her back to calm her down. "I know it's hard. But you have to be strong. You are strong. It's high time, Anthea; you need to let this heartbreak go and confront your fear. He's waiting for you, baby," Rayan encouraged while caressing her hair lightly. "You know I can't. It's too painful. I just can't face him, Rayan. How am I going to answer him? He's mad at me, I'm sure. Anthea let out a sob as tears slowly started to fall from her eyes. "Don't
“How did it go?” Anthea asked anxiously as soon as Rayan stepped into the living room. He smiled at her before pulling her into a tight hug. “Everything went well. I have already submitted all the evidence and they are taking the case directly to the court. He wouldn't be able to escape this time.” He answered while burying his face in the crook of his neck, trying to relax. Anthea let out a sigh of relief. “Thank god! You should have taken me with you.” She expressed it heartily while hugging her arms around Rayan’s back. “No! I don't want his dirty eyes to land on you, even for a second. I will take care of everything from here while you just stay here and take care of Nevaeh and our family.” Rayan raised his head and shook it before speaking. Anthea sighed again, totally understanding his concern. “I'm glad finally it's over with the Jones and we can relax.” Anthea smiled, changing the subject as they broke the hug while walking towards the couch. No one was present in the livi
Sebastian just got out of his car and was about to enter the Jones Corporation when a few men walked towards him before blocking his path. “Mr Jones.” One of the men called him before flashing him his ID card. Sebastian, who was surprised by the sudden unwanted visit, looked at the ID card of the man and realised they were from the Central Bureau of Investigation. “What brings you here, Officer?” Sebastian asked, trying to smile politely at them, but deep down he already had an ominous feeling rising inside his chest. “You are under arrest. Please raise your arms and cooperate with us.” The officer announced this loudly, grabbing some passersby’s attention who let out visible gasps while witnessing the scene. Sebastian was quite startled too, as he didn't expect some CBI officer to suddenly appear and tell him that he was being arrested. “What?” He looked at the officer in confusion, not understanding what was going on. “Handcuff him.” The officer ignored his words as he gestured
After the dinner ended, everyone was sitting around and casually chatting when Roman got up from his seat before walking towards Rayan, who was talking to Elijah. “Can I talk to you for a few minutes?” Roman asked Rayan after reaching him. He excused himself from Elijah before nodding politely at Roman. “Of course.” He answered, making Roman nod. Elijah excused himself before giving them some space to talk. “Let's go somewhere quiet.” Roman offered, making Rayan nod. They were about to walk out of the VIP dining lounge when Anthea’s sudden voice stopped them. “Where are you two going?” She asked, looking at them with a frown. Rayan was about to answer her when Roman beat him to it. “Smoking!” Rayan blurted out while trying to cover something from Anthea. The moment the answer left his mouth, Anthea’s eyes narrowed as she looked at her husband with a scowl. “Rayan! I told you to quit smoking.” She glared at him, looking totally pissed. Rayan sighed as he looked at her angry expre
“Anthea, Rayan!” Athena greeted her enthusiastically as soon as Anthea, Rayan, and Nevaeh stepped into the private dining room. “Hey!” Anthea smiled while walking towards her, while Rayan stayed behind her, holding Nevaeh. “We were waiting for you!” Athena said, smiling heartily. Anthea smiled back, her eyes shifting to Roman, Elijah, and Emilia, who were already sitting on the chairs. Emilia waved her hand slightly when she met Anthea’s gaze. “Oh my God! Is that our little princess?" Athena exclaimed in joy when she caught sight of Nevaeh, who was walking beside her father, looking like an angel. Athena was totally awestruck by the sight of Nevaeh. “Yeah!” Anthea nodded with a chuckle, while Rayan smiled. “Nevaeh, say hi to your uncles and aunts." Anthea turned around before instructing Nevaeh with a smile. She looked at her mother before looking at Athena, who was still looking at her with a smile. “Hi!” She grinned shyly while trying to hide behind her father. Rayan let out a
“You didn't tell me you were coming here.” Rayan asked in surprise when he met Anthea in the hallway of the hospital. He was just returning after checking in with his father. He thought she would be going to the office directly after meeting Silas. “Because I knew I would find you here.” Anthea replied with a barely visible smile on her face. Rayan already noticed her dim expression, causing him to frown in concern. “Is everything okay?” He asked, walking towards her before holding her hand. Anthea glanced at him before nodding her head slightly. “Yeah. How is Mr. Allen?” She asked, trying to change the subject. Rayan also realised it but said nothing. He quietly followed her back to the VIP ward. “Better than before. He will be moved to the general word tonight after they did some last inspection.” He replied while intertwining his hands with her. “That's good news.” Anthea nodded, a genuine smile spreading across her lips at the good news. It didn't even pass 48 hours and his c
“You know where. How could you forget what you went through because of him? If it wasn't for family and me, Silas didn't finish his sentence and stopped midway when he noticed Anthea's eyes glaring sharply at him.“So you really think that just because you helped me in my darkest phase, you have some sort of right over me?” Anthea asked, her eyes flashing with coldness at the sudden realisation. “Anthea!” Silas uttered, looking at her with a blank expression. Anthea couldn't read what was running inside her head but at the moment, she barely cared. “Answer me, Silas. Is that what you think?” Anthea pressed further, her expression remaining the same. At that moment, she was sure about one thing: Rayan didn't lie or misunderstand anything. It was she who was blind and delusional. She couldn't see the truth, which was already before her eyes. “Did Rayan tell you this?” Silas suddenly asked back, his expression hardening. He didn't expect that son of a bitch, Rayan, to vomit every sin
“Drop me at this address.” Anthea said this while showing Rayan an address on her phone. “Why? You are not going to the office?” Rayan, who was driving the car, asked before taking the phone from her hand and then glancing at the address. “No. I'm going to meet Silas.” Anthea answered with a sigh. She noticed Rayan’s face hardening as soon as the words left her mouth. For a moment, he didn't say anything. “Okay. I'm going to the hospital to check on Dad. Call me if anything happens.” He nodded after a moment of silence while focusing on the road. “Okay. How is your dad?” Anthea nodded back before inquiring about Benjamin. She didn't receive any news on him from the moment she left the hospital with Silas. “He's improving.” Rayan muttered while taking a turn. The address Anthea showed him wasn't far. “I'm glad to hear that.” She sighed in relief, knowing Benjamin was getting well. She just hoped nothing bad would happen and he would eventually recover. Last night, they talked, an
“Because Silas told me you were in his house and you were going to stay with him when he came to pick Nevaeh up.” Rayan answered, feeling angry and helpless. He shouldn't have listened to that bastard in the first place. He should have known better. “What the hell!” Anthea stared at him in shock. “You don't believe me?” Rayan’s face hardened as he noticed the disbelief in her eyes. She was unwilling to believe him, which meant she trusted that bastard over him. Anthea shook her head immediately. “No! It's not like that. Why would he say something like that?” She denied it before inquiring. Rayan’s expression changed again as he took a step back from her; however, his eyes never left her. “Because he wants to provoke me and create misunderstandings between us.” He answered while grinding his teeth. Anthea frowned as disbelief crossed her eyes. “What are you saying, Rayan? Silas would never do something like that.” She shook her head, trying to deny everything Rayan just said. Ther