"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
Zared suspected it wasn't Alexander’s doing, he didn't trust him but Alexander didn't have the guts to challenge Zared but if he did, he was going to pay a price, he probably got ahead of himself.The morning melted into a beautiful sunny afternoon.“You don't have to, you know.”“I have to, I need to.”“I understand your discomfort, but I’ll have my men body guard you.”Lily looked at him with a look Aaron couldn't explain, it was complicated, awe? Gratefulness? Irritation? "I don't know how to thank you, Aaron. For everything." Gratefulness it was, thought Aaron. It could be awe as well, why did she have to say his name like that ? It would be so hard to let her go if she kept calling him by his name like that. "You don't.... need to thank me, Lily. I'm just glad you're safe."They sat together in silence, the weight of their shared experiences hanging in the air. For a moment, Lily allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, there could be a future beyond the darkness tha
“I don't have anything else to do, do I ?” “I just-he-,” he sighed “he’s arrogant, we were best buddies when we were younger, he was like the older brother I never had and I always looked up to him, but I just, I didn't like the way dad started comparing me with him, not that he would be harsh on me but just, him being better didn't mean I was any less good right? I didn't like my dad praising him over me, but still, I used to be with him and look up to him because I..I liked him so much but we eventually started disliking each other because of the competition.” “Oh.” “It’s okay, you don't have to feel sorry for me. C’mon, my turn.” He paused for a few seconds before he asked her… “Why didn't you divorce him?” “What?” Aaron stared at her. “I-Why would I ?” “I’m sorry, this is personal, but, I saw the scars on your hands,the other day…” “Oh,no-uh, they were-they were because of Alexander.” “Oh.” “Why do you think Zared did what he did?” “I have no idea.” Lil
Why was she so naive? Why didn't she fight back ? Aaron wished he could hug her right now.“I’m sorry-”“No, you’re right, I know it’s really stupid and I do feel pathetic because of it but I just can't help it, I can't and it makes me mad but still, there’s nothing I can do about it.”“There are a lot of people put there Lily, you can explore, you can fall in love and-and what not.”“I don't want to, I know, I know but I don't want to, I don't feel like it, at the end, he’s the only person I want to be with, even if he has someone else.” Aaron fell silent, he had seen many people in love like this but always thought they were stupid for compromising and sacrificing and choosing to suffer because of it, but now he could feel it, he could feel what Lily felt.“I understand.” He said softly.“What do you want to do then ?”“I don't know how or when I should go back…but, I need to figure out something to tell him so you don't get stuck in between.”“Don't worry about me, you should worr