Zoe's P.O.V.It's been a week of hell since I left New York and came to Ibiza. I have no clue how Sky is. Is he recovering well after the accident? Is he okay?God! I wish I didn't have to leave him like that.I don't know how I'm going to survive here, all alone, without him. Living without him is worse than anything I could have imagined. Every moment feels like an eternity. I'm haunted by the memory of his face, his voice, his touch. Every fibre of my body, my soul, is yearning for him.However, I have to live without him. I can't put Sky's life at risk because of me. With time, I'll grow accustomed to living like this. I have to accept that living alone is my fate.I wander down the streets of Ibiza, lost in thoughts and memories of Sky. A loud honk jolts me back to reality. I freeze—a car is speeding toward me. But before I can react, someone yanks me back onto the sidewalk.I turn to see a woman about my age, looking at me with concern in her amber eyes. "Hey, where were you los
Zoe's P.O.V.I regain consciousness and find myself in a dark basement. My head throbs with pain, and I try to make sense of my surroundings.Where am I? How did I get here?As I wonder, I recall opening the villa's door, shocked to see a few men standing there. Before I could ask anything, one of them hit me with the end of a gun on my forehead, and I blacked out instantly.I struggle to sit up, my hands trembling in fear. The air is damp and musty, and I can hear the distant sound of water dripping. I can't see much, but I can feel the cold, hard floor beneath me. I'm afraid. The darkness around me is terrifying.Why would anyone do this to me? Who are these men? What do they want? I don't even know anybody in Ibiza.I walk over to the door, my heart pounding in my chest. I press my ear against it, trying to hear any sounds from the other side, but all I get is silence.The fear is making my entire body shiver, but I know I have to find a way out and stay strong, even though I don't
Sky's P.O.V. I sit in the waiting area, distraught. I don't understand what is happening in my life. First Zoe, now my father. I feel like my mind is about to explode. The minutes feel like hours as I wait for news about my father. My heart is pounding, and I can't stop my hands from trembling. Finally, the doctor emerges from the double doors. I rush over to him. "Doctor, how is he? Is he okay?" The doctor's expression is serious but calm. "Your father had a heart attack. We were able to stabilize him, but he needs rest and must be kept away from stress. You can see him now, but try not to upset him." I enter my father's room and see him lying there, looking pale and fragile. As I approach him, he whispers weakly, "Sky," reaching out for my hand. I take it and squeeze it gently. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen." He shakes his head slightly. "It's not your fault, son. But please, listen to me. You need to come back to New York. You can't keep living l
Sky’s P.O.V.The car screeches to a halt as the driver pulls up to the location. I jump out before the engine even stops, my heart racing with fright. But nothing could have prepared me for the sight before me.My heart almost stops beating as I see her—my Zoe. She’s beaten up, her face bruised and swollen, her clothes tattered. She looks so fragile, so broken, that I feel like someone has ripped my heart out of my chest.Literally, I feel like killing my father after making him pay for every single tear and bruise on her body. It’s still unbelievable that he is the one who made his own son suffer. How could anybody do that to their own child?“Zoe…” I cry out, rushing to her side. She is sitting, leaning against a wall, and as her eyes land on me, they shine a bit.“Sky…” she whispers, her voice weak and trembling.I never thought that when I would meet her again, her condition would be so miserable. I feel as if I can’t breathe after seeing her like this, but I need to be strong for
Sky's P.O.V.After the Doctor leaves, treating her wounds, I lie down, holding her close. I'm bare-chested, and she's wearing my shirt, which hangs loosely on her fragile frame. As I caress her hair, she traces imaginary circles on my chest.Although my heart aches to see her in this condition, I feel profound relief that we're finally together again. I had been yearning for her presence for almost a month, and now finally she is here, safe in my arms.I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks when I saw the burn marks on her feet. She has been through so much in these two weeks.I still can't believe that it was my father who did this to her. But why? To protect me? That's bullshit. I know he's lying to me. If he just wanted to keep her away from me, then he wouldn't have tortured her like this.With every passing second, my rage intensifies. He has to answer every single one of my questions and suffer for what he did to my Trouble."Sky," she whispers, her voice soft and
Zoe's P.O.V."I don't understand why someone kidnapped and tortured me, Sky," I question him as we sit on the plane. He convinced me to return to New York, but the truth is, I'm not returning just because of him. I have my reasons. After my kidnapping, I can't stay alone anymore. I'm so afraid. The last two weeks were worse than any nightmare I've ever had.I was kept in a dark basement, tortured and starved. The first few days, I tried to keep track of time, counting the hours in my head, but eventually, I lost all sense of it. Every time those footsteps approached, my heart would race with dread, knowing what was to come.They didn't just beat me—they played with my mind. They'd leave me in there for hours, maybe days, without food or water until I was too weak to even cry out. Then, when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, they'd drag me out and force me to eat, only to take it away before I could finish.They would come into the room, blindfold me, and whisper horrible things in
Sky's P.O.V."Fine, I'll stay with you at your apartment as a friend. I won't cross any boundaries, I promise. But I need to be there for you. You've been through so much, and I can't let you face it alone, Trouble. Please let me stay with you."I'm certain we can't return to being just friends when I know how her lips taste, how tight she feels when I'm inside her, and how it feels to lie naked, holding her in my arms. But if being friends is the only way I can stay close to her right now, then I'll take it. I can't stand the thought of her being alone after everything she's been through. The nightmares, the fear—she shouldn't have to face that on her own.I also know that with time, she'll accept our relationship. Until then, I'll help her overcome her deep-rooted fear of losing the people who come close to her."Okay, you can stay at my apartment." As she agrees, I sigh in relief, closing my eyes. "But only for a week."I just nod at her in response, glad that at least she's lettin
Zoe’s P.O.V.“I’m glad you’re back with Sky.” Selena smiles at me.My lips draw down. “Selena, we’re not back together yet. Not properly.”Her brows narrow in confusion. “Zoe, what do you mean you’re not back together properly? You’re with him now, aren’t you?”I take a deep breath. “I’m with him, but only as a friend. Selena, I just… I’m terrified. I love Sky, but I can’t live every day with the fear that I’ll lose him. It’s too much. I’ve already lost so much, and I don’t think I can survive losing him as well.”I explain myself to her, fiddling with my pendant. Deep inside, I know it’s irrational, but I truly can’t live every day worrying about Sky, and I also can’t keep myself away from him any longer. I’m relieved that Sky accepted my decision without argument. To be honest, I’m falling for Sky even more deeply now because of the way he isn’t giving up on us.Despite being shattered by my condition and the revelation about his father’s involvement, he remains strong, as always. S
Alex’s P.O.V.“I love you more, Alex.”These words are like a lifeline, pulling me out of the storm I’ve been drowning in. I can hardly believe my ears. For so long, I’ve waited to hear those words from her lips.Suddenly, all my pain disappears, and the only thing I feel is immense satisfaction. Stella’s confession means so much to me. It means she is finally ready to give me her heart completely. She trusts me. She is giving love a second chance.I stop walking, frozen in the moment. All the darkness, the guilt, the fear—it’s still there, but her words make it bearable.I glance down at her in my arms. Did she really say it? Or is my mind playing tricks on me?Carefully, I lower her to the soft sand near the water, the waves lapping gently at the shore, their sound as peaceful as always.I cup her face in my hands, brushing her cheeks with my thumbs. “Say it again, Please, Stella. Say it again.” I request, fixing my eyes on her.Her eyes are filled with immense affection, and she sm
Stella’s P.O.V.“Please don’t regret for a second for killing that monster, Stella. You’ve freed your mother from the unbearable pain. You have no clue how relieved I am. Thank you.” My mom expresses her gratitude when I lie her down on the bed at night in one room of Alex’s beach house.After my mother was discharged, nobody wanted to return to the place where we used to live with that monster. My mom has so many painful memories tied to that house, and I killed the monster there. Alex didn’t want any of us to be anywhere near a place haunted by his memories. So he made the decision to bring us here instead.I tuck the blanket around Mom. I’m glad I gave her peace, but what about the weight I carry now? The monster is gone, but the trauma of killing someone is unbearable. And I can’t share it with anybody. Alex and Mom, both are dealing with their pain. How can I burden them with mine when they’re already struggling to heal?“Mom, you don’t need to thank me,” I respond, sitting on th
Alex’s P.O.V.The next morning, I’m still seated in the waiting room of the hospital. Stella and I spent the entire night here, though sleep was a stranger. The load of everything that’s happened is suffocating me. I’m still trying to digest that my father was a monster who caused suffering to Stella’s mother. It’s like a nightmare to me.“I can completely understand what you’re going through, Alex.” Sky breaks the silence. He sits beside me. Stella is with Zoe and Selena inside her mother’s room.I know he can feel my pain because, a few months ago, he also discovered the evil deeds of his father. Since then, he’s been working tirelessly day and night to become stronger than him so that he can put his father behind bars.I glance at him with sorrowful eyes. “How did you do it, Sky? I mean, how did you even begin to understand the fact that your own father was… like this? I don’t know how to move forward from here. You know I feel like I’m stuck, drowning in shame.”Sky leans forward,
Alex’s P.O.V.I feel so lost. Completely lost.When the doctor informed us about the condition of Stella’s mother, I felt like killing my father. How could he torture someone to this extent? Why couldn’t I ever see his true face?Before Stella’s mother, did he torture other women? Did he also hurt my mother?My chest tightens with immense pain as I sit outside Stella’s mother’s hospital room, lost in thought. How can I face Olivia, knowing that I carry the blood of the man who hurt her? How am I supposed to promise her I’ll keep Stella safe when my father inflicted so much pain on her? Will she ever be able to trust me?I stare at the floor, fists clenched, and try to steady my breathing. Thoughts revolve endlessly around my mind: Did I somehow miss the signs? Have I been blind to my father’s true nature all my life?The truth is, I don’t know who he is anymore. I don’t know who I am anymore. And worse, I don’t know how I’ll prove to Olivia that I’m not like my father—that I would rat
Stella’s P.O.V.I sit with Alex in the waiting room as the doctor treats our parents. Alex has been completely silent since I told him the truth about his father. That truth has shaken him deeply.On one hand, my heart aches for him, and on the other, for my mother, who has been suffering for who knows how long. Why did God make her endure the same pain she had in the past? Why didn’t she tell me?Alex’s hands are clenched tightly in his lap, and his jaw is tense, as though he’s fighting an internal battle. I can’t blame him. He would have never imagined his father would be a monster.This entire ordeal has taken so much out of both of us. But for Alex, I know it’s different. His world has been turned upside down in a way I can’t even begin to imagine.I glance at him, his face pale and his eyes distant, as if he’s locked away somewhere I can’t reach. The person sitting next to me looks so lost, like a stranger who endured a painful truth he never expected to face. This is a side of A
Alex’s P.O.V.As I sit in my car, waiting for Stella to return, my watch suddenly begins beeping.Damn it!Something is wrong with Stella.Without a second thought, I jump out of the car and rush inside, my mind spinning with worry. I keep praying in my mind that she’s alright.I head straight to her room, but she’s not there. I check everywhere—the bathroom, the balcony—but she’s nowhere in sight. The constant beeping from my watch only makes my heartbeat race with anxiety.What happened to her? She looked so happy when she walked into the house. How could things go wrong in just a few minutes?“Stella…” Desperately, I call her name as I step out of her room, but there’s no response.When I reach the door of her mother’s room, I stop, noticing Stella’s bag lying on the floor just outside.I wonder what her bag is doing here.Then I push the door open and step inside. My eyes widen in shock as I take in the scene. Stella is sitting, hugging her mother tightly, and both of them are cry
Stella’s P.O.V. "Can we have the same sandwich we had last time, please?" I ask as he opens my door and I step out. “No.” He denies it, shutting the door close. I look at him in shock. “Why?” He lets out a laugh, tapping my nose. "I was just kidding, Stella. Of course, we can have that sandwich. Today, whatever you want, we'll do. It's your day, my love." “Who could’ve thought that the Mr Grumpy would get so sweet one day.” I pull his cheeks, causing him to chuckle. “Now I’m yours Mr NMG.” He leans in and pecks on my cheek, making me grin. Then we head inside and eat sandwiches from the stall. My birthday is already going so amazingly. First, I woke up to my room decorated with so many gifts—it felt like a dream. And now, these delicious sandwiches! Wow! As we finish our sandwiches, Alex takes my hand and guides me towards the ice rink. When we enter, I notice something unusual—the entire rink is completely empty. My face falls as I glance around, thinking that the rink m
Alex’s P.O.V.“Anyway, what were you doing in the mall?” I question, glancing at Stella, who is sitting in the passenger seat beside me as I drive us back home.“Actually, I’ve also planned something for my birthday.”My eyes widen in surprise at her words. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”“Because it was a surprise for you, Alex.” She pouts at me.I shake my head in disbelief. “You’re planning something for me on your birthday? Unbelievable.”“You deserve it.” She locks her eyes filled with profound love on me. “You’ve done so much for me, Alex. I want this birthday to be about us.”I glance over, feeling like I’m falling for her all over again. “You know, you’re amazing.”She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Then just wait. Tomorrow will be unforgettable—for both of us. And you won’t stop praising me.”“I’m quite excited now. But what about the surprise I’ve planned for you?” I raise my brows at her.“Your surprise?” She taps her finger on her chin thoughtfully, which brings a smi
Alex’s P.O.V.I end the call and grip my phone tightly. All I wanted was to surprise Stella for her birthday. But now, I’ve hurt her when I meant to make her feel special.I hurry toward the parking lot, my heart pounding with worry.Shit! I shouldn’t have lied to her. The betrayal of her ex-boyfriend has left deep scars on her which take time to heal. She is trying so hard to move on and give a second chance to love. And now, because of my lie, she’s reliving that pain.I’m such an idiot.As I reach the parking lot, I spot her near her car. She’s standing there, her arms wrapped around herself, her eyes moist. She looks small and vulnerable. My heart aches at the sight.I just rush towards her and embrace her tightly into my arms. “I’m so fucking sorry, Flower. Trust me, I had no intention of hurting you.” I apologise, pulling her closer to me.“I trust you, Alex. In fact, I’m sorry for doubting you in the first place.”A smile flashes across my face at her words, and I pull her back