Zared turned and left for Riley's house as Lily was running to her room crying. She fell down midway but got up and started running again. She slammed the door and fell down crying and screaming, she was being mentally tortured, she couldn't take it anymore, it was too much for her. It's not that she didn't like being close to Zared, but it's that he humiliated her every time and never respected her. It was like he stabbed her heart every time, she screamed calling to God and sceeamed while crying. She was too tired, too tired now, she wanted to be happy, to be at ease, she didn't want Zared to treat her like this or anyone to treat her like this, she was just 18, just 18 and too young to be married? too young to understand stuff? too young to know certain things? too young to be mature? but was she not too young to be tortured? not too young to be physically abused? not too young to be called a wh*re? Lily knew no one could answer the questions arising in her mind because no one t
"I'm sorry, love. I'll need to leave early. ""But why? " she looked sad. "Mom wants me to go home before it's 12 o'clock" he said with a sense of apology. "Can't you just say you're home? " she said pleading him. "I would've, but she wants me to face time her with Lily on reaching home. ""Just stay, maybe she won't even remember? ""She remembers everything, she's mad that I was making excuses and she hung up on me, look this is was she texted me." he showed her the text he got from Clarissa. Riley sadly pouted then nodded. "You can leave after a while, she wants you there before 12 right? ""Yeah, right, but that's what she says when she wants me to reach there at 11 and then she can say that it's too late and I should've left when she got mad. I can't let her be upset for long, she's the most important person for me. ""Fine, there is nothing you can do anyways. " she said looking down at her hands and Zared smiled and pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry, love. I would've stay
But it was too late, he was already in, she stopped in front of him as he frowned. "What? " he was confused as to why she came running and then stopped right in front of him. She shook her head and Zared came forward. "My mom asked me to come home early and face time her with you. "Lily's mouth formed an O as she realised why Clarissa was saying he'd be home soon. She was happy anyways and smiled widely. "I was enjoying my time happily until again, you had to mess it all up, don't you get tired of messing everything up for me? Why can't you just get your own life? ""But, I didn't do anything this time? " she looked at him innocently. "Mom wanted me to be at home because 'Lily must be feeling lonely' how is it not your fault ? it's you everytime. " Lily sighed and lowered her gaze fidgeting with her fingers. Zared moved past her as Lily turned to ask him. "Dinner? "Zared didn't respond and Lily assumed her voice was too low for him to be heard, she knew it wasn't that, but s
Zared sat up. "What else did he say? Did he talk to you? "He asked while getting up from his bed. "He asked if I was your wife"Lily lied without stopping. She checked the time and it was 11:58.Both of them made their way to the terrace, Lily ran to the front and made sure she climbed slowly checking the time, so It was exactly 12 when they reached. The hands of the watch stopped at 12 and Lily climbed the remaining two steps hurriedly and as both of them entered the terrace area she screamed. "HAPPY BIRTHDAYYY!!" Lily shouted joyously. Zared's eyes widened, he looked at Lily and then the whole terrace, which was filled with balloons and fringe curtains and lights and what not. He looked around stunned and then lastly his eyes stopped at Lily. "What is this?" he asked, still stunned. "I prepared all this, for you. Happy Birthday. " she said smiling cheek to cheek. Many time one couldn't read Zared's expressions easily and this was one of those situations. Lily stared at Zared
He really is the cold, heartless man shown in the movies, except they do have a soft side, but he is cruel, he is a monster. She looked around the roof top at the ruined decorations and balloons and then she lifted her head up to look at the sky. The clouds were crying, just like her. They looked sad, lonely and dark, Lily wondered what they must be going through... or were they crying looking at everyone who was in sorrow, she smiled lightly. "I hope you're fine. " she said to the clouds. I give up Zared Williams, I give up on you. She sat there looking at nothing, feeling the water going down her body, her tears dissolved in the rain water and she was glad. Maybe this is what God wants anyway, maybe he wants me to die as well, she thought to herself. A small laugh left her lips. 'Look at yourself Lily, look what you've done, look what you've done to yourself and look what you've made people do, to you and things that didn't deserve it.' She looked around once again and then the
The puppy jumped and was on it's way to Lily when Zared stopped it. "What's wrong? " he asked the puppy as it looked restless. It strugglef out of his grip and Zared gave up stopping it to see what it wanted. It jumped and ran towards Lily, it pulled her dress and jumped in front of her so she would pick it up, looking at it, she giggled and picked it up. It licked her face all over and couldn't stop barking at her. Once she let it out of her grip, he made circles around her and kept jumping in front of her. Lily's gaze moved to Zared, her eyes asking for permission for playing with him and as he nodded looking at her, she poured the warm milk in a bowl and kept it in front of the puppy. The clock was soon going to strike 2 o'clock when Zared came searching for Charlie, he didn't find it anywhere and assumed it must be with Lily as he remembered she was playing with him. He made his way to her room but stopped before he could open the door. He heard Lily's voice, she was talking
He could handle anything but regret, He didn't want to regret anything, not his decisions ,not his doings, not a thing. He was afraid that he would've punished the innocent one, that he may have broken her heart just like someone once broke his.His phone rang again, he looked at the caller id and then the time. It was Riley. He picked up the call"Zared...where are you?I'm waiting outside your house hurry up" "I-I...uh..Riley I can't-come I'm sorry."What ? You are kidding right ,what happenned ?""I'm sorry Riley maybe some, other time I am really sorry.""Hello ! Zared ! But why ?at least come ou-"Zared hung up. He was staring at nothing for a very long time. He didn't want to do anything right now. He just wanted this feeling to go. Was it all his power and money that he got lost into ? was it all of this that he was blinded by? was that the reason he thought she was a goldigger too ?was it his wealth that made him beleive Lily was nothing but a goldigger? He couldn't h
Zared raised his brows and looked at his mom. "No-No, I mean yes- I have been taking care of her, she just doesn't like to eat much, right?"Lily nodded. "Look, ask her, she knows better." he said. "You should feed her any way, she's your responsibility after all, look at her, the last time I saw her, her cheeks were filled and chubby, now look at her she's just bones and blood." she said turning Lily to Zared so he could take a better look at her. "I-" before Zared could say anything Lily changed the subject. "Mom, at least come inside first, I'll bring something to drink for you." Clarissa smiled watching Lily as she went to the kitchen. Clarissa and Zared took their seats on the couch. "What a well mannered girl" Clarissa said stating at Lily as Zared just rolled his eyes. "Mom, even I've turned skinny, don't you think ?""I think you're perfectly well.... well to take care of yourself, if you're still getting skinny then it's your fault that you're not working on being str
"Chocolate." He showed her, his now chcolate covered thumb."Thanks." She said before breaking the eye contact."It was a pleasure." when Lily looked up at him, he was already staring at her-like he was piercing his gaze into her's. There was something about it.Clara began clearing some of the mess, humming softly to herself.For a brief moment, everything felt...simple. Like the outside world and its looming threats couldn’t reach them here.But outside the window, hidden beneath the overcast sky, a car rolled slowly past the building. Its tinted windows concealed whoever sat inside, watching.And just as quietly as it had appeared, it disappeared down the street.But not unnoticed.Damian’s sharp eyes followed it until it was out of sight, his hand tightening subtly around the edge of the counter.The peace was temporary-a fragile bubble on the edge of bursting.But for now, inside the warmth of the kitchen, laughter still lingered in the air. Not for long though.The sun dipped lo
Clara rolled her eyes. “If he hasn’t already reorganized the spice rack alphabetically, I’ll be shocked.”A soft chuckle escaped Lily’s lips despite the heaviness in her chest, and Aaron offered his hand to help her up. She took it hesitantly, her smaller hand fitting into his larger one."Dont you think he's a bit robot like?" Clara asked scrunching her nose."A bit?" Lily asked raising her brows at Clara.In the kitchen, Damian was leaning against the counter, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. He glanced up when they entered, his usual stoic expression softening just slightly. Clara marched in ahead of them, opening the refrigerator door. “Alright, chef Aaron, what’s on the menu?”Aaron walked over to the stove, his tie slightly loosened now. “Damian, did you cook anything or just stand there intimidating the toaster?” Damian raised an unimpressed brow. “I made coffee. You’re welcome.”Clara let out a snort, pulling out a carton of eggs. “Alright, coffee king, move aside. Aaron, y
The walk to the bookstore was shorter than she expected. Nestled between two larger buildings, its faded sign read "Willow’s Nook.” A small bell chimed as they stepped inside, and the scent of old paper and polished wood greeted them. The librarian was a small lady with a bob cut and cat eyed glasses, probably in her fifties.The space was cozy, with narrow aisles lined with overflowing shelves and dim lamps casting a warm glow. It felt like stepping into another world, one untouched by time.Aaron guided her to a section near the back, where mismatched armchairs sat tucked in a corner. “This is the best spot,” he said with a grin. Lily wandered over to a nearby shelf, running her fingers along the spines of old books. Aaron watched her. Minutes passed, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Lily finally pulled a worn poetry book from the shelf, her eyes scanning the faded gold lettering on the cover. When she looked up, Aaron was watching her from across the aisle, a faint smile pl
Aaron’s expression sobered slightly as his silver eyes locked onto hers. “You learn because you’ve had to. Because no one was there to do it for you, so you want to do it for someone else." The weight of his words hung between them, heavy but honest. "Empathy." Lily said before sipping the hot chocolate. "Yes, but this is not empathy...it's not just empathy." Aaron's eyes bore into Lily's and she held them for two seconds before dropping her gaze to the mug of hot chocolate in her hand. They sat there for a while, sipping their hot chocolate and letting the warmth settle into their bones. Lily found herself studying Aaron-his sharp jawline, the faint crease between his brows, the way his lips curled ever so slightly when he caught her staring, how he sipped his hot chocolate and how his adam's apple moved when he swallowed it. “Thank you,” she said softly. Aaron looked up, tilting his head slightly. “For looking charming?” Lily's lips curled slightly "Shut up." “For… e
Lily ran her fingers over the worn cover, the leather warm under her touch. “Thank you, it means a lot.” she whispered. Aaron nodded once before leaning back against the alcove wall, his eyes drifting closed as the sunlight warmed his face. Lily stayed where she was, clutching the journal tightly in her hands. For the first time in what felt like forever, the storm inside her didn’t feel so suffocating. Aaron saw her worthy of this journal-last gift from his grandmother. And as she glanced sideways at Aaron-this man who carried his own scars but still found ways to help her breathe-she realized something. Maybe healing wasn’t about finding a cure. Maybe it was about finding someone who made the weight a little easier to carry. Here’s the next chapter, continuing the emotional depth and exploring the growing connection between Lily and Aaron. The rooftop had become a fragile cocoon, shielding them from the noise of the world below. Time felt suspended, the morning sun rising high
"Aaron Knight can." He replied. "It's your's now."Her throat tightened again, but this time, she didn’t look away. “Thank you, Aaron,” she said softly. Aaron pushed himself up from the swing and held out his hand to her. “Come on. There’s one more thing I want to show you.” Lily hesitated for just a second before slipping her hand into his. His grip was firm, warm, and steady-the kind of touch that felt safe. Maybe it really was the truth-she was safe with him.As they walked across the rooftop, side by side, Lily realized something; the storm in her mind hadn’t disappeared, but for the first time in a long while, it felt… quieter, like the voices had gone for a power nap.And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now and she was grateful for it.Lily’s hand stayed tucked in Aaron’s as he led her across the rooftop. His grip was firm and warm. They walked in silence, their footsteps soft against the weathered stone floor, the faint sound of distant traffic blending with the breez
Aaron led Lily through a narrow hallway, up a metal staircase, and finally to a door with faded paint. He pushed it open and stepped aside, his hand lightly touching her lower back as he guided her forward. Lily froze in the doorway as her breath caught slightly. The rooftop garden stretched before her, wild and unkempt but undeniably beautiful. Overgrown ivy clung to the railings, and clusters of flowers-violets, daisies, roses, peonies, sunflowers and something yellow she couldn’t name-poked through cracks in the stone floor. In one corner hung a double seater swing, sun-bleached and inviting. Beyond the edge of the roof, the sprawling city skyline glittered in the sunlight, a sea of glass and steel shimmering under the morning glow. “It’s…” Lily trailed off, words failing her as she stepped closer. “Peaceful?” Aaron offered, his voice low but steady. She nodded faintly. “Yeah.” Aaron’s lips twitched into a faint smile as he stepped forward. “Come on.” They walke
“I meant what I said, Lily. I won’t push you into anything you’re not clearly ready for. But if you’re asking whether it meant something to me-then yes. It did. It was a distraction for your sake, not mine.” Lily’s breath caught, her hazel eyes wide as she stared up at him. With that Aaron got up and made his way out the door.Lily sat still, the warmth of the blankets wrapped around her shoulders, her gaze lingering on the spot where Aaron had sat just moments ago.His words echoed in her mind: "If you're asking whether it meant something to me-then yes. It did."Her chest tightened, and her fingers clutched the fabric of the blanket as if it could anchor her to the moment. The vulnerability in his voice, the honesty in his eyes-it all lingered, pulling her deeper into emotions she wasn’t ready to name, it should feel like too much-too much happening too fast, but it didnt. It felt like what was happening should happen.But even now, her mind waged war with itself. One voice remin
It wasn’t just a distraction. It couldn’t be. At least not for her. Maybe she should wait till her mind cleared, she told herself, maybe she was too high on stress and emotions. But then she closed her eyes for a brief second, swallowing the pang of disappointment that threatened to rise. It was just a distraction, she told herself again, trying to convince her heart to accept the truth. But no matter how hard she tried, the feeling that there was something more-something deeper between them-lingered. Yet, she didn’t say a word. She only nodded again, trying to mask the confusion and longing stirring within her. The room had settled into a fragile silence, the air still charged with the remnants of everything that had passed between them. Lily sat on the edge of the bed, her knees pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around them. Aaron had stepped away, giving her space, but he lingered nearby, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest, he got up s