To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I had no idea what he went through his tiny brain to perceive that I would hold any affection for him.Heck, not affection, any feeling for a low man like him.“What?!” Gasping, my jaw dropped to hear his ridiculous enunciation.“Yes. And I know you have something in your heart for me too. You are silent because of Dariel. You told me yourself that he kept you caged.” He continued seriously, staggering me.Blinking, it took me a few seconds to register his mindless words which were impossible.“What are you-”“Don’t lie, Saafia. You are here for me. Please, it’s going to be alright, I am here for you. I love you so much and I know you want me too.” He got up sternly.It felt strange how his statements changed in a second. Disgusted, I was about to slam my hand on the table and throw something at him to seal that mouth but another female’s voice came from behind.I shouldn’t have come. “See. I told you, Dariel, that she is cheating on y
I kept looking down in dejection when we were coming back. Silent tears at the edge of my gaze, sobbing silently at the scene they had created to ruin my relationship with him.“Dariel-” I opened my mouth to call him hopelessly but his one glare sealed my voice.Forming my lips in a thin line, I wiped my tears but his stern gaze was frightening me. Unable to relax, I was afraid to confront his wrath.‘Did I hurt him? Is he going to be furious? Is he going to believe in me? Would he listen to me?’ I thought worriedly.He might have supported me before everyone but his glare and grimace displayed his discontent. “Dariel, I am sorry.” I whispered anxiously but not listening, he held my arm, leading me to the hall. My body was numbed in his dominant presence.“Enough, Saafia.”I was worried about what he might do. Stopping before me, he folded his arms at his chest, narrowing his eyes in ire. “I…” He paused angrily, curling his hand in a fist.I trembled, perturbed as I opened my mouth
BEFOREDARIEL’S POV:-It was that time when I was extremely single and lonely. Jacey moved in with Sam too and after Mother’s death, I had Jacey’s support only.When I was left alone, everything in my life felt meaningless. It infuriated me to have no one by my side. “You are frowning too much.” Ian smirked at my constant frown, drinking as I was enraged, not pleased with the amount of people around me.“Who cares? As if anyone would want to talk to me.” I muttered, rolling my eyes off.“You have created that scary image yourself.”I was about to heed only to myself but then Jared came, ruining my mood more as I had no intentions of interacting with anyone.“Good Evening, Sir, thank you so much for inviting us too.”“It’s to celebrate our success, no? Why wouldn't I invite you, genius?” I taunted, rolling my eyes while taking a sip of my drink. “Y-Yeah… sorry. Anyways, I came with my date.” He chuckled nervously as I ignored him, “Whatever.” Resting my hand in my pocket, walking
NOWSAAFIA’S POV:-Wow… I had no words to respond. After knowing that he knew me for longer than I perceived, my mind went blank. Eyes popped with countless perceptions and bewildered emotions stacking inside me.“The image of a cruel person you created… back then… and the rumors I had heard about you… I... I find it hard to believe.” I spoke vaguely, taking too many pauses because back then I had only seen him as- ‘My boyfriend’s heartless Boss.’“Are you kidding me?” I asked again, narrowing my eyes in suspicion. He didn’t prefer my response in the slightest and frowned, holding his side to stand assertively before me.“Do I look like I am joking?” His serious voice came as we had a staring competition for the next few minutes while I was in a daze on how to react.“All this time… you… Why didn’t you approach me before?” I asked in bafflement, tilting my head in confusion.My steps retreated, I almost chuckled to hear all this because to me it sounded so surreal that I found it h
I was lost in thoughts. Before consulting or questioning anyone else, I needed to hear Dariel’s explanation. Why did Sam place such a high allegation on him?I needed to hear his perspective so I waited for him patiently.I was sitting on the couch, looking down at my laps. Before reaching any outcome, I must hear his justification. With uneasiness growing wild inside me, I remained motionless until Dariel returned from work. “Well, well, where is my welcome home?”The man who never smiled, grinned at me, plopping on the couch beside me so he could feast his eyes at my glimpse.‘How could he keep such a big thing secret from me, right?’ I thought distressfully. Lifting my heavy gaze, I turned to him, curling my lips upward emptily, “Welcome home.” In my low, weak voice, his glee vanished. Shifting closer, his resonance softened, “What happened? You look perturbed. Is everything alright?”Swallowing hard, I found it hard to sound delighted, “Dariel…”“Hmm?” He smiled.“You won’t hu
I lost my capability to react at this point. My chest was tingingling constantly yet I couldn’t bring myself to look at him anymore. A flame of anguish was burning inside me.The more I saw Dariel, the more it pricked me.‘Why did have to be him? And me, I fell in love with a man who hit my father and was never punished for his actions.’ I thought miserably.After spending the night in the other room, I refused to come out until Dariel came and knocked on the door.“Saafia, please, listen to me…” Closing my eyes, a sting traveled to my core. Having no words to explain my disheartened sensation. Abruptly, everything I began to imagine began to blaze.“Don’t ignore me like this. I can’t bear it. Please, I am sorry, I know I should have told you before but I…” He pleaded with me.My chest clenched with an unbearable heaviness. Narrowing my eyes in rage, I opened the door furiously, glaring at his remorseful eyes which could no longer help me.“Do you realize you are the man who put my f
DARIEL’S POV:-How do I tell you I had my own restrictions? It was too hard for me too… How do I tell you that I am not your culprit?Watching Saafia drifting apart from me with this seal on my lips was too hard. One truth all it would take to stop her but I couldn’t release it and the more she moved away from me.The more it shattered my heart. I can’t… I can’t bear it.Entering our room, following her trails for the past few days desperately, I saw Saafia putting her things in a suitcase. “What are you doing, Saafia?” I asked vaguely, eyes widening with a horror she was impotent to see.I agree she was devastated that I kept it hidden from her but punishing me for a sin I already repented was too much.“I am going home.” She responded coldly, placing her things. “This is your home.” I hissed, grabbing her arm to not let her continue her absurd actions. “I need space, Dariel.” Declaring coldly, she ripped her arm away from mine, piercing my heart by negligence.“Saafia, don’t le
I never perceived my life would be this incomplete and painful without you, Saafia. A few hours without you in this empty place was too painful for me.‘Please don’t leave me like this. Come to me, my love, please…’I wish you could have stopped and listened to my heart’s condition but you didn’t and now how could I possibly tell you that I was not your culprit?“Dammit…” Cursing, I was on the ground, resting my back against the bed in the messy room as I gave Ian the job to find out who the hell casted his wrong eyes on my home.Before reaching out to Saafia, I would deal with that person in the worst way to show him his place. With tears glistening in my eyes, my phone rang as I hastily picked the call, “Yes, Ian? Did you find out?”“Uh.. Sir…” He paused worriedly.“Tell me, dammit.” I growled, not in the mood to hear hesitations.“It’s Sam.” He blurted out, boiling me in utter rage to perceive he crossed his limits and went too far in his blind rage to test my last straw.Why wa
3.5 Years Later. SAAFIA’S POV:-Today was Jacey’s engagement with Jared. Both of them got an instant connection already but they were so scared of commitments that it took them three years to decide to be together.And on that day, I was running after my three-year-old daughter who was running and I was worried if she wouldn't fall.“Lillia, come here, stop running!”Not caring, she ran and jumped into her father’s arms, “Papa!”“Be careful, princess, you will fall,” Dariel laughed a little, picking Lillia who was hugging him with a wide grin.An important work came so he had to leave for a few hours but in that time we all fell asleep.Because my sweet Lillia’s six months old younger brother had sworn to not let his mother rest.“Welcome home,” I sighed, shaking my head as I gave Dariel a side hug.“Thank you,” He smiled, kissing the top of my head while putting down Lillia, giving her his office bag so she could take it to our room.“Oh thank God, you are here, Dariel,” I sighed wh
DARIEL’S POV:-Helder surrendered himself without resisting… It was expected, he was at a losing point of his life, he was utterly defeated and lost and gave up without trying. He knew he did wrong by flowing in the emotions.“You are under arrest for kidnapping Jacey Cannedy and Jared Raz in the middle of the day,” His head was hanging low, emitting deep dejection that made us all silent. We stood together while he was all alone.“I know…” Tears glistened in the corner of his eyes, curling his hand in a fist due to powerlessness. He lost all his purpose in a moment, one letter all it took to shatter him. They were about to take him away but he stopped before me. I felt an unknown sting in my chest, narrowing my eyes as he held a woeful expression.“Dariel, I wanted to confess something,”“What?”He looked down in shame, “The child that Veronica aborted… it was mine. I didn’t tell her to do that but she did it nonetheless… It was me too who made her marry Jared.” He whispered whic
SAAFIA’S POV:-My heartbeats were dropping by each passing second to think what Helder would do to Jacey. Harry had etched too much hatred in his heart.I was afraid he might not end up creating an irredeemable mistake. He was made this way, he had a path to return, to find acceptance. He would definitely regret losing that.“Fuck! I can’t believe he is taking out my wrath on Jacey!” Dariel growled as technically it was his fault.“Why didn’t you tell me you battered him in your new construction site!?” I hissed at him, not believing that he increased his fury by keeping him chained. “I was furious. He ruined your innocence, that Sam hurt my sister. For a second, I saw my life falling apart and I took that wrath on him,” He sighed in distress, driving hastily to go where Helder called us.He wanted us to meet where he got hit, at the same construction site as I was glaring at Dariel, now understand why he sent me away.He didn’t want me to witness how ruthless he could become.“Oh
JACEY’S POV:-Being with Jared was so tranquilizing, his words, his smile, everything about him was warming my heart.My heartbreak began to disperse as I gradually began to search for new reasons to live thanks to him. “I am glad you are here then, I feel peaceful when I talk to you.” I whispered when we were having an ice-cream after work. He offered me a place near his office as we both shared a pleasant time.“Did Dariel ask you to keep an eye on me so I won’t do something to myself in regret and sadness?” I asked in a playful tone because I saw no reasons for him to be this kind to me.In fact, after Dariel, he was the second man to care this much for me. Sam never did this- Nevermind.“What? No. Though I feel the same and that is why I come to you.” He chuckled sweetly.“How unfortunate Sam would be for neglecting you. He had someone who could adore him the most yet he chose to give her pain,” He spoke, evoking strange feelings in my chest at his heartfelt comment.“I could sa
SAAFIA’S POV:-When Dariel broke into a sob, it shattered my heart. With tears glistening in my eyes, I wrapped my hands around his to soothe him yet the sound of it agonized me.“I don’t know what I should do anymore, Saafia. I feel so lost, I feel horrible,” He cried, looking up at me with his teary eyes.Cupping his cheek, I wiped his tears that were breaking my heart. I couldn’t believe such reality was hidden from him.How heartbroken he must be after knowing his father was killed…“It’s alright, Dariel, give yourself some time.” I wanted to comfort him by all means though I knew it won’t be enough, nothing could eradicate the scar emerging on his chest.Pulling away a little, he clutched his chest to show his anguish as he told me about the regret he felt when he came to know.“All this time, Mama was in pain but there was nothing I could do for her… He was torturing her, he killed my father, she knew but kept quiet for Helder…” A stream of tears rolled down his cheek, clutchi
DARIEL’S POV:-“She left us! She left me! She left Helder for your Father and I hated it! She made us like this!”I blinked in disbelief when he told me everything. My chest clenched upon knowing everything. My body trembled as I stared at this unbelievable man.“How… Do you expect anyone… whose home you destroyed, whose spouse you killed… to.. Love you?” I whispered vaguely, staring at him with a sorrow brimming in my chest.“She made me do this. I didn’t want to but why did she return in the first place?!” He yelled.Slamming his hand down furiously but I forgot all my boundaries and limits and punched him in the jaw.“How could you say this, asshole!?” I yelled, losing my breath when after ravaging my family he was blaming us. “You killed my father, you destroyed my family, stole our rights, put my mother into depression. Heck, even you made Helder like this and considered yourself innocent, dammit!?” My voice broke when I hit him again until Saafia held me from behind to not cro
Though Harry was the one who started telling, Jacey who also came to know everything too, shared it with Jared who was baffled.Blinking, he asked nervously, “Why are you telling me all this?”“I… found a hidden dairy in Mama’s room. We never touched her private things, she wrote everything there for us and a message for Helder,” She shared as they were in a park, on a bench. She was looking down, wanting to share the weight on her chest with someone. “What message?” “I think I should tell that to him,”“So you are saying that your Uncle was behind your Father’s murder and your mother knew but kept it inside? For Helder?” He trailed off, narrowing his eyes to perceive if Helder knew about it or not.“Yes… She was carrying so much weight that it eventually killed her.” Jacey’s voice broke, hating how young she was that she couldn’t do anything for her consolation.She was heartbroken that their mother was in too much anguish that the remorse of her sins caused her to end her life.“
“NO!!”Mr. Cannedy died and at his demise his whole family was devastated. His accident left a scar on Tilda’s heart, it weakened the happy family they were. “How could this happen? You promised to return soon, why are you doing this to us, my love… Wake up, please!”She sobbed, clutching his lifeless body, resting her head over it, not letting anyone take it away.She considered her life with Lark her blessing, her beautiful future.His demise scattered her felicity. “Mama,”The kids sobbed, afraid to go near her Mother who was screaming her anguish out. She entirely devoted herself to her husband, she couldn’t bear it.“Lark…!”The kids were worried for their mother who stopped eating, talking, finding no meaning to her life anymore when Lark was no longer with her.And seeing her weakened state, Harry decided to utilize this chance and advanced on her. “Don’t worry, Tilda, I am here for you. It’s going to be alright,” He whispered, placing his hand on her shoulder when she was c
THIRD POV“How could you do this to me, Tilda? You married my brother? Why?” Harry argued.The ache of finding Tilda as his sister-in-law was immense, he resented how she neglected their bond yet agreed to marry his brother.“He was my Boss… we fell in love and it just happened. Look, I-I didn’t know he was your brother. By the time I came to know. It was too late.” She reasoned sorrowfully.She also didn’t intend to marry the brother of her ex but it was too late by the time she realized that. “What do you expect me to do now? What am I supposed to tell everyone now about Helder?” He growled, stuck in a terrible situation.“You never… said anything about me?” Tilda asked in disbelief. “I didn’t want them to curse you for leaving me with a son.” He sighed, shaking his head in denial.No one in his family knew who was the mother of Helder, they only knew that she abandoned them and left them. “I.. am sorry, Harry,” She apologized sadly, looking down in shame.“Are you happy with my