Lily woke up to the sun seeping in from the balcony and hitting her eyes, she stared at the huge glass balcony and the trees wavering outside. She recalled everything that took place the previous day, she was scared to even go to sleep but now that she was safe and sound , it was as if a relief had taken its place in her chest, sighing, she got up from her bed and headed towards the bathroom to freshen up and take a bath. The white foam of soap spread itself as Lily soaked herself in. She inhaled the calming scent of soap as if it were some drug to distract her from the miseries of her life, she sat in there for half an hour, not caring about the time, since she had nowhere to be, no worry to figure out about , she allowed herself to take her time to clean herself and relax. When she finally stepped out of the bathroom and made her way to the closet, a sound stopped her in her tracks. There was someone outside the door, someone was struggling to open the door to the room, her heart
“Plans?” Lily asked him as confusion lined her brows. “For the day….I mean, do you study ?” Aaron sensed her unease but knew they needed time to process everything that had happened. “No…. I would like to… someday again.” “Not right now ?” “I don't know, I want to go to college and study but the marriage was so sudden and….and it distracted me from everything else.” “It was sudden, I don't understand why…anyway, till where have you studied ?” “I’m done with my 12th grade.” “What?” Aaron asked her, smiling, “you’re messing with me right ?” “No…I actually am just a 12th grade pass out.” Lily looked down embarrassed seeing how he was probably laughing at her, he would probably insult her just like everyone does every time. Aaron’s face softened as he noticed the embarrassment taking place on Lily’s face and her voice dropping to the lowest one. “It’s-I’m sorry, I didn't mean it in that way, I-I just, I just thought you were older than me, it's fine, you can still study, righ
Lily’s expression screamed that she disagreed and thought this was all bull because nothing was this easy.“Aaron, I know what you mean, but it’s too sudden, I need time to process and think about it as well.”Aaron may not have heard what she said after his name, “Aaron” he played it in his mind again and again, her voice calling his name felt so sweet, no one had called him in this way before but even if they did he probably didn't feel like this.He had fans all over his campus but he never thought of dating any of them or the girls that were genuinely interested him as well, all he did was politely refuse them when they confessed, he had a few girlfriends earlier but his relationships never lasted, he hadn't been in a serious relationship ever since his last one, he wanted time for himself after he broke up so he could focus on himself rather than somebody else.But right now, he was lost. His heart would stir with a mixture of tenderness and concern. Lily was a delicate soul, una
"Lily," he began tentatively, "I know you’re very scared and don't want to trust me easily- and you shouldn't- I-I mean…. you shouldn't trust anyone easily but, I just want you to know that you don't have to face this alone. I'm here for you." She turned to him, her eyes searching for any hint of deception. "Why are you helping me, Aaron? You barely know me." Aaron hesitated, his heart racing. How could he explain that his motives weren’t harmful, that seeing her safe was as much for his peace of mind as her’s? "Because... because no one deserves to live in fear. Especially not someone as brave as you." Lily’s gaze softened, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. “Brave ? Me ?” She laughed, it wasn't a funny one and Aaron didn't return it “I’m not brave, I’m the weakest and the most vulnerable person you’ll ever meet, I’m the weakest person I’ve ever met. But I wish I could believe that.” She looked down at her foot disappointingly. "You will," Aaron said quietly, hoping his
The night passed as Lily faced nightmares in her sleep and woke up sweating multiple times. Aaron tossed and turned all night feeling uncomfortable on the unfamiliar structure. On the other hand, Zared was on his bed with Riley lying beside him with her head on his chest, she had fallen asleep but he couldn’t sleep yet, Alexander did not get back to any of his calls or texts the whole day, he felt concerned not for Alexander but for Lily this time, because he could not go there at his mansion as someone would definitely be out there waiting to know where he had gone to. No matter how cautious one might be, it is definitely going to be news for them as soon as they spot something suspicious about Zared whether it is a reporter or an enemy. That was why Zared had to watch his every move and timing since there were no official statements made concerning Lily’s article about being lost. He spent the whole day worrying about Alexander and his worry lines were visible such that it got
Meanwhile, across a few kilometers in Zared's mansion, the morning sun cast harsh light on his troubled features. He stared out the window, his fingers tapping nervously on the polished desk of his study. Guilt and anger battled within him as he recalled the events that had unfolded since he asked Alexander to abduct Lily.His thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone, he immediately picked it up, eager for some useful news to reach to him.“Sir…” came the rough voice on the other side of the line. It was his man who went to see what was happening in Alexander’s house.“What happened?” Zared responded in a clipped tone“I d- did not find anything else except dead bodies,” said he with some caution. "Someone saved her."Zared's heart stopped momentarily as fear gripped him tight behind that mask."Why would anyone save her ? He might also be dead; look for Lily’s body.”"Your...wife isn’t here, sir, but there are several men lying lifeless on the floor.”“This is not good.
Meanwhile, across a few kilometers in Zared's mansion, the morning sun cast harsh light on his troubled features. He stared out the window, his fingers tapping nervously on the polished desk of his study. Guilt and anger battled within him as he recalled the events that had unfolded since he asked Alexander to abduct Lily.His thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone. Zared hesitated for a moment before answering, steeling himself for the confrontation he knew was inevitable.“Sir.." came the terse voice on the other end. It was his man whom he sent to check at Alexander’s house."What is it?" Zared replied, his tone clipped.“N-no one is here, only dead bodies." the man said, his voice betraying a hint of caution. "Lily has been rescued."Zared's heart skipped a beat. Despite his composed facade, panic gripped him like a vice. "Rescued? Who would do that? Maybe they were all killed, check for Lily’s body .”“Sir..Mrs.William is not here, there are bodies of multiple me
Lily shook her head. “Who was it?” “It was no one you should worry about, just my friend from college.” Aaron said, reassuring her. Lily suddenly broke down in front of him, tears flooded down her cheeks sobs breaking through her, she could no more have control over her emotions, it was hard to pretend like she was fine, it was hard to pretend and just survive like nothing happened, the unwanted tiring thought, the horrible flashbacks and terrifying nightmares won't leave her alone. She was abducted, raped and rescued and was living at a stranger's house, so much of it in a week, how was she supposed to celebrate her rescue after what she had been through, never in her life did she think she would end up in a situation like this, her life had took unexpected turns, but this was beyond everything that could go wrong. The Lily who once looked towards marriage as something that would change her life completely, had nothing but a wrecked marriage which was far opposite than the heart
There she was-sitting on the floor by the window, knees drawn to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them. Her caramel hair was unkempt, strands falling over her pale face. The moonlight washed over her frail figure, making her look even smaller, more fragile. “Lily…” Aaron’s voice was soft, cautious. She didn’t move, didn’t look at him. He stepped inside, his chest aching at the sight of her. Slowly, he lowered himself to sit beside her on the floor, his shoulder barely brushing hers. His heart ached, ached that the man who had caused her nothing but pain is still continuing to do it even after his death and Aaron couldn't do anything about it. “You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured, staring out at the same moonlit view she seemed fixated on. “But I’m here. I’ll always be here. I just want you to know." For a moment, it seemed like she might respond, her lips parting slightly, but then she closed them again, her gaze dropping to her knees, it made Aaron tak
He couldn’t shake the feeling, couldn’t silence the voice in the back of his mind screaming that Zared wasn’t gone. Zared was sharp, calculating, a man who wouldn’t fall so easily. But Aaron had no proof, no real reason to believe it-only a gnawing instinct buried deep in his chest. "He’s alive," the thought whispered again. But Aaron forced the thought away, shaking his head slightly before turning his attention back to Lily. She was still sitting there, small and fragile in the dim light, and he realized she needed comfort more than he needed answers to the questions clawing at his mind. “Hey,” he said softly, nudging her knee with his. “How about some hot chocolate? It won’t fix everything, but it might make this night feel a little less heavy.” Lily looked up at him, a ghost of a smile flickering across her lips for the first time that night. “Sure, thanks.” Aaron stood, his movements careful as if not to disturb the fragile calm that had settled between them. A few
For one fleeting moment, Lily felt him there-with her, surrounding her, a warmth that would linger in her heart long after she walked away from his home for the last time. "Oh, what have you done Zared." She said aloud. "Why did you have to do it, it was all your fault for turning your fate, why make me suffer by doing this." She sat on the couch with her head in her hands. Clara's home was dim when Lily returned, the faint glow of a lamp spilling light into the hallway. Her steps were slow, almost hesitant, as she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Aaron was pacing near the window, his phone clutched tightly in his hand, while Clara sat curled on the edge of the couch, her head snapping up the moment the door creaked. “Lily!” Aaron’s voice cut through the silence as he rushed towards her. “Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been?” Clara stood, her eyes wide with concern. “You didn’t answer your phone. We thought… we thought something happ
The clock on the wall ticked loudly, each second stretching longer than the last. Clara sat on the couch, clutching her phone tightly in her hands, her thumbs hovering over the screen as if another call might suddenly bring an answer. “Aaron…” she said quietly, her voice trembling. “It’s been hours. She’s not picking up. Where could she have gone?” Aaron stood by the window, his back to her, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. His phone was already gripped in his palm, the screen blank after too many unanswered calls. “She wouldn’t just disappear like this,” he said, his voice sharp, his frustration barely contained. “Not without telling someone. Not after everything that’s happened.” Clara’s eyes shone with worry as she whispered, “What if something happened to her, Aaron?” Aaron turned, his expression softer now as he looked at her. “Don’t think like that. She’s okay. She has to be.” But even as he said the words, doubt gnawed at him. Without another word, Aaro
Lily hesitated but eventually said, "Did you see how he did it?" She looked up at Aaron. "Did you see how he was found ? Laurent, the pictures on the news, they were so disgusting, he had...you must've seen." "I did." Aaron noticed the disgusted look on her face. He once again recalled how he had done it. How he had screamed like the goat when it is sacrificed, how his eyes went rolling behind showing only the white part. How he had joined his fingerless hands in front of him in order to be forgiven. "Maybe he deserved it...Zared, for what he did, Karma, they say?" She asked. Aaron nodded in response but remained silent. He knew he was betraying her, betraying her trust, taking advantage of the situation she was in, the trust she had at this vulnerable stage of her life. In the quiet of the room, Aaron’s guilt festered, hidden beneath the surface. Lily didn’t need to know the truth-not tonight, and maybe not ever. But that was for him to decide after. Aaron's mind was in t
His hand moved to the doorknob, twisting it slowly until the latch clicked open instead of knocking in case she was asleep. Peeking inside, he expected to see her resting, maybe curled up in the blankets. Instead, he found her awake, sitting stiffly on the edge of her bed. The moonlight cast a silvery glow across her features, making her appear ethereal and distant. She was staring out the window, her expression blank yet hauntingly sad, as though she were lost in a memory she couldn’t escape. She didn't deserve this, didn't deserve such a tragedy, she was way too nice for this world, for Zared. He didn't deserve her agony, her tears, her sleepless nights. Aaron hesitated again but finally stepped inside, giving a soft knock on the door to announce himself. The sound made her blink, breaking her trance. She glanced at him, her gaze piercing for the briefest second before it dulled again, returning to the view outside the window. Without waiting for an invitation, Aaron move
Lily didn’t respond to Clara. She stared out the window, her mind replaying every second she’d spent with Zared, searching for answers that would probably never come. She thought about what thoughts must have consumed Zared when he decided to end his life. Was he thinking about her? Was he blaming her? Was he guilty of what he did? Or he just couldn't bear the thought of her leaving him? But again, why would she hold so much importance in his life for him to give it all up. His family, the company, his friends-though Lily knew none. Maybe it was a punishment? From god ? Maybe he wanted Zared to die in exchange of Laurent, maybe because he killed him? Maybe this was his revenge? She shook her head shooing all the thoughts away. The three of them were now back at Clara's house, the silence was comfortable, no one wanted to talk, Aaron, however wanted to comfort Lily, make her believe that it wasn't her fault. He knew she must be blaming herself, she was the last person to t
Lily, Aaron, and Clara walked briskly down the sterile, cold hallways of the hospital, their footsteps echoing, at the end of the corridor, where Zared’s parents and Aaron’s parents were standing together, faces etched with grief. The moment they approached, Lily saw Zared’s mother, her tear-streaked face crumpling further. “He’s already been moved,” Zared’s father said, his voice hoarse. “To the freezer. They’re preparing him for the funeral.” Lily froze mid-step, her heart sinking. She hadn’t realized how desperately she’d wanted to see him one last time. Her lips parted, but no words came out. “Why so soon?” Aaron asked, his voice laced with disbelief. “It’s the procedure,” Aaron’s father said, his voice heavy. “Once the body is declared and cleared, there’s no waiting.” Lily clenched her fists at her sides, overwhelmed by a mixture of grief and frustration. The chance to say goodbye was ripped away. All she had now were the memories-and the haunting, unanswered qu
A single tear rolling down his cheek before he collapsed back onto the bed, lifeless. "No,no,no,no." The news anchor’s voice filled the silence. “Zared Williams, known for his innovative contributions to technology and his efforts towards hi company, was pronounced dead at 10:47 p.m. Doctors have confirmed that his death was caused by the disconnection of critical life-support machines. Despite being close to a full recovery, it appears Mr. Williams made the decision to end his life. What the doctors are calling an apparent suicide." Tears welled in Lily’s eyes as her chest tightened painfully. She turned to Clara, who was still frozen in place, her hand trembling against her lips. “This…this isn’t real,” Lily murmured, shaking her head as if trying to wake herself from a nightmare. “It can’t be.” Clara finally looked at her, her eyes glistening with tears. “It is, Lily,” she whispered. “He’s…he’s gone.” Lily stumbled back, her legs weak beneath her. The weight of the news c