Emma’s POV It’s been a week since Michael’s last visit. My fever has finally gone down, thanks to the medication he provided, but now I face a new challenge: there’s no food left in the house. When I first arrived, it seemed like the house was cleaned regularly, but now it was neglected. The only person who came by was a middle-aged lady who exclusively cleaned the forbidden room that once belonged to Scarlet. She had her own key and never showed any interest in the rest of the house. I encountered her one day, trying to strike up a conversation to figure out whether she had noticed the pink book has gone missing. “Could you clean my room too? It’s gotten dusty after weeks of neglect.” She shook her head regretfully. “I can’t help you with that unless Michael orders me to do so.” Her tone was polite, without any irritation. This gave me a small sense of relief; she hadn’t noticed the missing diary from Scarlet’s room. Taking a deep breath, I hurried back to my room, retrieved t
Daniel’s POV I arrived at the detention center with my findings, a mix of anticipation and dread in my heart. The guard nodded me through, courtesy of David’s meticulous preparations. I was amazed at how he had managed to keep this access open. “Daniel,” David said, a smirk playing on his lips as I walked in. “You look even worse than the last time, like you’ve been through a war zone.” “Shaving is bad for my skin ok? Just cut the crap…” I admitted, scratching at my scruffy chin. “I’ll shave after I get Emma back!” David chuckled, shaking his head. “Still a hopeless case.” I handed him the files. “This is what I’ve got so far. Michael’s access was used, but he wasn’t even in the hospital during the thefts.” David flipped through the documents, his eyes narrowing. “Interesting...” “I also checked the surveillance footage,” I continued. “The person in the pharmacy isn’t Michael. The build and height don’t match.” David looked up, his eyes gleaming with insight. “Let me se
**Michael’s POV** The message sent to Daniel gave me a twisted satisfaction, but it also filled me with dread. I had underestimated him. His tenacity, his ability to uncover the truth, was threatening everything I had worked so hard to maintain. My grip on Emma, on my plans, was slipping. I need to act fast. I pace the floor of my office at the hospital, my mind racing. The sterile smell of disinfectant is nauseating, reminding me of the stolen anesthetics that now threaten to expose me. Daniel’s investigation was closing in on me, and I couldn’t afford any mistakes. The hospital, my shared home with Jessica, and the mansion where Emma is imprisoned—all of it was at risk. First, I need to secure the mansion. Emma’s presence there is a ticking time bomb. She’s the key to everything, and if Daniel finds her, it’s over. I grab my phone and call the guard stationed at the mansion. “Double the security,” I bark into the phone. “No one comes or goes without my explicit permission.
Emma’s POV It's been a week since Michael's last visit. My fever has finally gone down, but I’m left in a desolate state. I can count my bones from being so famished, but as long as I'm not thirsty, I don't care. Hunger is a strange comfort, a reminder that I'm still alive. I kind of like the feeling, like back when I was 20 and suffered from depression after that humiliating experience with the Irish guy. I refused to eat for months, lost my ability to menstruate, and ended up looking anorexic. Back then, the feeling was a way to express my suffering, a silent scream to those around me that I wasn't okay. Only Daniel understood me then. This time, though, the satisfaction is different. Now, hunger makes me feel alive, like I’m not ready to give up. Lily is waiting for me. Daniel is looking for me. My parents would be devastated if their only child were taken away from them. I have to fight. I open the diary from its hidden spot. Recently, Scarlet has become more than just a name i
Daniel’s POVThe message on my phone from the unknown number still haunts me. “Daniel, if you want to see Emma alive, stop what you’re doing.” Michael knows. He’s onto us, and now Emma’s life hangs in the balance.I take a deep breath, trying to steady my shaking hands as I call David. "We have a problem," I say as soon as he answers. "What's going on?" David asks, his voice tense."Michael knows about our investigation. He just threatened Emma’s life if we don’t back off."David is silent for a moment. "We need a new plan. Immediately. We can’t let him intimidate us. Emma's safety is our top priority.""Agreed," I respond, my mind already racing through possibilities. "We need to be smarter, more careful. I think Michael is moving Emma around to avoid detection. We have to anticipate his moves.""Let's start by mapping out all possible locations Michael could use," David suggests. "We’ll need to get creative. He won’t use obvious places."We spend the next hour strategizing, compili
Emma’s POVI wake up to the scent of something familiar, something comforting. As my eyes flutter open, I see a tray on the bedside table filled with dried beans, rice, and oven-baked chicken wings—my favorite dishes. The sight takes me back to a time when things were different, when Michael and I were in the best days of our relationship. I remember the day I told him, half-jokingly, that if I were stranded on a deserted island, I could live a normal life with just dried beans and rice without feeling desolation. I look at the food now, mocking the absurdity of it all. My hypothetical predicament has become my reality, orchestrated by the man I once trusted. I feel a bitter laugh bubbling up inside me, but it dies in my throat.I’m famished, so I devour the food in a matter of minutes, eight at most. The gnawing ache in my stomach eases, replaced by the warmth of being full, but it’s a hollow satisfaction. I could eat four times this amount and still feel unsatisfied.I push the tra
Emma’s POV**Diary Entry:***I don't want to write this. I don't want to remember it, but I have to. He did it again. Michael raped me. But this time, it was worse... so much worse. He called me names, mocked my legs, said I was worthless because I can't walk right. I never thought he could be so cruel. I never imagined he would stoop this low. I will never forgive him for this.*---The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stare at the diary, my hands shaking, unable to comprehend the depth of Michael’s cruelty. I knew he was dangerous, that he wasn’t someone to trust, but this... this is beyond anything I could have imagined.How could he do this to her? How could he look at someone as fragile and vulnerable as Scarlet and decide to break her even further? It’s sickening, revolting, and it makes me question everything I thought I knew about him.I try to make sense of it, but I can’t. The Michael I knew—the one who once showed me kindness, who seemed to care about me—how could th
Emma’s POV**Diary Entry – Zurich:***Zurich is breathtaking, with the lake shimmering under the sun. As I stand by the water, I hear a familiar voice—David. My heart warms at the sound, even though I know he’s forbidden to me. David, with his kindness and the way he makes me feel special, is someone I can’t truly have. I’m not worthy of him, and I fear what Michael might do if he finds out about our connection. When David confesses his feelings, I’m torn. I tell him I’m not good enough, that I can’t give him what he deserves. But when he asks for just one date, I can’t say no. I want to feel cherished and loved, even if just for a day. The time we spend together is magical—he shows me what true love can be. As we stargaze and share a deep kiss, I know that in another lifetime, we might have been together. I treasure this day and the way he made me feel alive and loved. It’s a memory I’ll hold close.*---Scarlet’s final entry about David is poignant. Her struggle between love and sel
Writing "His Unfinished Love Story" was like talking to a friend for me. It came from a place where I was struggling with family stuff, and I didn't really have anyone to open up to—no best friends or unbiased family members. Counseling wasn't my thing, so I poured it all into this book instead. This story is a mix of real-life vibes and make-believe, exploring all kinds of love—whether it’s the love for a parent, a sibling, a friend, or even the complicated, sometimes obsessive kind. What I've realized is that no type of love is superior; they all just... are. And while love can push us to do crazy things, it's not a free pass to mess up and just expect forgiveness. That kind of forgiveness, the kind that really matters, comes from a higher place. I hope my book helps you sort out your own feelings, find some peace, or maybe even close a chapter that's been open too long. Thanks for diving into this journey with me. Here's to finding your peace, whatever that looks like.
**David’d POV** I stand there, by Scarlet’s resting place, with the familiar weight of white roses in my hands—her favorite. It’s a clear morning, the cemetery dappled with sunlight, peaceful and introspective. As I place the flowers down, I can’t help but feel a blend of solace and sorrow, her diary's words echoing in my mind. “Scarlet,” I start, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I’ve read every page you left behind. It’s like having a part of you still here with me, and I’m grateful for that. You always had a way of making the world a bit brighter, even in writing.” I pause, taking a breath as I look around, feeling her presence. “You know, Emma and Daniel are back together. After everything, they’ve found their way back to each other. You worried about them, I know. But they’re happy, truly. Daniel once told me that without her, he’d be lost... an unfinished love story. Well, they’ve got their happy ending now.” My voice falters as I touch the cold stone, a part o
**Daniel’s POV** This morning, I can barely stifle my laughter as Lily, almost six and full of sass, unleashes a spectacular tantrum over her cereal. She’s just found out we got married without her and took a sneaky honeymoon to Santorini. “You guys are the worst secret keepers ever!” she declares, pouting. I try to explain. “Sweetie, you had school, remember? And honestly, it was just a quick vow exchange—super boring, no big party or anything.” She’s not buying it. “But I could’ve skipped school! You think I wanted to do math instead of going to a beach?” Emma jumps in, grinning. “Trust me, you wouldn’t have enjoyed Santorini. We ended up talking to the police more than we swam!” “Yeah, you should thank us. It was a disaster!” I add, chuckling. Lily's not amused. She crosses her arms. “Next time, I’m coming. No more vacations without me.” Emma and I exchange a look, suppressing our laughter as we nod in surrender. “Deal,” we chorus. I hustle to get Lily ready for scho
**David’s POV**Here in my New York apartment, as the relentless city rain echoes my mood, I find myself repeatedly drawn to the old, worn pages of Scarlet’s diary. This morning, the echoes of last night's indulgence weigh heavy, a migraine pulsing in the background as I numb it with the usual analgesic. But the diary demands attention once again.I flip to the last entry, a letter penned for me, her "Bumblebee," written in a moment of profound solitude and clarity.---**Scarlet’s Letter to me:**My dear Bumblebee,As I write this, sitting in the quiet of my unwanted sanctuary, the light of hope is dim, nearly extinguished. Yet there's a strange peace in knowing you’re out there, free from the burden of me. These long years have granted me too much time for reflection, and a painful truth has emerged: I loved you, David. It was never just brotherly love or friendship; it was a calm, steady love that I mistook for mere companionship while I allowed myself to be consumed by Michael's t
**Daniel’s POV** *At the police car* The first streaks of dawn had barely lit up the horizon when Emma and I, handcuffed in the back of a Greek police car, were driving towards the station. The situation was, admittedly, absurd, and Emma's reaction was equally dramatic. "Why, Daniel? Why is every crazy adventure with you ending up with the police?" Emma half-yelled, half-laughed, her annoyance fighting with amusement. "Oh, come on, love. We could charm our way out. I'll start praising their baklava and yoghurt—say it's all Greek, not Turkish!" I teased, trying to lighten the mood. "That's your plan? Really?" Emma was not amused. “Maybe I could add some sugarcoating to their weird alphabet, too?” I kept teasing. "We've been married less than a week, and you're already pushing for an annulment, huh?" "Technically, it'd be called an annulment, yes," I chuckled, winking at her. She lunged at me, stopped only by the seatbelt, while the police officer in the front warned
**Daniel’s POV** Driving Emma straight to my apartment after the marriage ceremony, I can't help but tease her about the neatly arranged belongings all around. She looks around, her confusion melting into a surprised smile when I explain, "I’ve been planning this day with my lovely in-laws for 2 months now." "Why isn’t Lily here then?" she asks, a hint of worry in her tone. I can barely keep the grin off my face as I lean in, whispering the next surprise. "Because, my love, we’re jetting off for a week abroad for our honeymoon." Emma's eyes widen, a mix of excitement and concern dancing in them. "But I need to take annual leave from the hospital," she counters, her voice tinged with anxiety. I put on a sad face, playing up my disappointment. "How can you not trust me with my meticulously arranged plans?" I complain, only half-joking. Her gasp when I tell her everything's been handled is absolutely worth it. "And where exactly are we going?" she probes, curiosity overtaking
**Emma’s POV***A month later*The thrill of feeling like my old self was palpable as I walked through the familiar scenic route of “the plateau” of my high school. It felt like stepping back into a life I'd put on pause, now ready to play at full volume. My phone buzzed, breaking my reverie. It was Dr. Patel, my old boss, and the last person I expected to call me after the way I'd left things."Emma, I've got a proposition for you," Dr. Patel's voice was as brisk and businesslike as ever. "How would you feel about coming back as an endocrine fellow?""But... after everything?" I asked, my brow furrowing."Let's just say I've made some calls. Your record's clear and, frankly, we need you. Are you up for it?" There was a hopeful note in her voice that warmed me a little."Okay, what do I need to do?" My heart started to race with excitement."There’s the Subspecialty Equivalency Examination next month. Pass that, and I’ll talk to the CMO about getting you a spot," she explained."Coun
**Emma’s POV**The sunlight was already high in the sky by the time I managed to peel my eyes open. The room was silent, save for the distant hum of the city outside. I stretched lazily, enjoying the rare luxury of a slow morning, but the sound of the doorbell sliced through the tranquility. Puzzled, I slid out of bed and shuffled toward the sound, my thoughts still tangled in the threads of sleep.Peeking around the corner, I saw Daniel chatting with my mom in hushed tones, the only word I could hear was “passport.” His back was to me, but I could tell by the way he was gesturing that he was excited about something."What's going on?" I asked, rubbing my eyes as I approached.Daniel turned with a start, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Morning, sleepyhead! Just sorting out some paperwork with your mom. Nothing to worry about," he winked, a twinkle in his eye.My mom, ever the conspirator, gave me a knowing look but kept her lips sealed. "Why don't you get ready, dear? Dani
**Emma’s POV**As the wheels of the plane touch down in Istanbul, a wave of nostalgia and relief washes over me. The familiar scent of the sea mingled with the bustling city life fills my lungs, grounding me. "I'm home," I whisper to myself, my heart swelling with a peace I haven't felt in months.The airport is bustling as always, but my focus narrows to the figures of my parents in the distance. As we make our way through the crowd, I spot Lily breaking free from my mother's embrace and sprinting towards me with open arms. "Mommy!" her voice echoes over the chatter, a sweet sound I've missed dearly.I drop to my knees just in time to catch her in a tight hug, lifting her into the air as she giggles. "I missed you so much, little bug," I murmur into her hair."Missed you more," she replies, squeezing me tighter. My parents join us, their faces lined with relief and joy. "Welcome home, Emma," my dad says, his voice thick with emotion as he pulls me into a hug."Did you bring me anyth