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
He had seen models all around the world, actresses and what not, but the beauty Lily held, it was something else, something he had never seen. He loved Riley though, he thought she was beautiful as well but not more than Lily, but he loved her and that's what mattered to him more than anything else. Riley was a pure soul in his eyes but Lily? a cunning one. "Go to the bed" he demanded.Lily turned and lied on the bed, taking the blanket over herself till she covered her neck, she closed her eyes. Zared closed the study's door and went to sleep on the bed beside Lily. He looked at her then turned around to face the other way and closed his eyes. The next morning, as the run rised the rays of the sun entered Zared's room through the window. Charlie climbed on Zared who was fast asleep and barked loudly and continuously. Zared opened his eyes to find Charlie jumping all over him and then on Lily, making Lily wake up from her sleep. She pet Charlie as she woke up and looked at him smil
"I know, mom, you don't have to worry, we just had a small fight and I'll fix it tonight.""You better, she's really precious Zared, she's so young, all this is too much for her to handle, don't shower her with more difficulties, she's alone, you're the only one she has, we already know about her parents, you know how they were. Their behavior and the how they immediately agreed to marrying off their daughter to you, I thanked God she was going to be in better hands now, just don't make me regret my decision alright?""Yeah, mom." Zared's face dropped as he heard what his mom was thinking about him. Zared went to his room where Lily was standing looking out from the window. Zared grabbed her hand and turned her around harshly. "Are you happy now ? You dumbass girl! ARE YOU F**KING HAPPY NOW!? You can't ever see me happy, can you ?! I was talking to my mom so peacefuly and you can't even stand it for a minute....she started lecturing me for 'not being a good husband' I know very well
"Come on, get ready, we'll have breakfast outside and then go shopping" "But, the malls and shops don't open yet.""We can just wander around till then, go to some museums and stuff, get ready!""Okay" Lily smiled widely and went to her room to get ready. She wore a white A line frock with little black hearts all over it with her hair open. She loved modest fashion and always wore something eye catching, though it was not blingy or any thing but simple and cute looking. Clarissa and Lily stopped by at a cafe to have their breakfast and then went to some parks and art mueseums to pass their time. When the shopping malls and shops opened, Clarissa took Lily to all kinds of shops, they went to the biggest brand's shops and Clarissa made Lily try every thing she picked for her, from clothes to bags and heels and make up and what not. All the workers and managers in those shops knew Clarissa and treated her really well. Lily was trying one of Clarissa's chosen pair of skirt and top whic
The penthouse felt cavernous in her absence. Lily’s steps echoed faintly against the polished floors as she carried a small bag down the hall. She had packed only the essentials-clothes, documents, and her favorite book-a conscious decision not to look back. The thought of leaving the home they'd shared stung, but staying felt like drowning. Her mind replayed the scene in Aaron’s study, the damning photographs and the file with her name etched at the top. Every piece of information about her, laid bare-her family, her childhood, her fears. She’d trusted him, and in return, he had dissected her life like a puzzle to control. As she neared the door, the faint scent of his cologne lingered, and her grip on the bag tightened. This was the only goodbye she could give. Aaron had been out since the incident-a small mercy-but as Lily turned the handle, she heard the elevator hum to life. Her heart plummeted. The doors slid open, and Aaron stepped out, his suit slightly dishevel
The day was quiet, too quiet for Lily’s liking. Aaron had been called away for an urgent business meeting, leaving her alone in the penthouse. Normally, she’d enjoy the solitude, but today felt different. Her gaze wandered to the key sitting on her side table, the one Aaron had handed her a few days ago to the study. She hadn’t ventured inside yet, mostly because it felt too personal, too private. But now, with the emptiness of the penthouse pressing in on her, curiosity got the better of her. Sliding the key into the lock, she pushed the door open, stepping inside her fingers brushed against the dark wood of the desk. The view of the city skyline stretched beyond the glass, but her attention was drawn to a folder sitting in the center of the desk. It wasn’t marked, but something about it seemed out of place. “Just a peek,” she murmured to herself, feeling a twinge of guilt. Sliding the folder closer, she flipped it open-and froze. The first thing she saw was a phot
The last few days passed with Lily immersed in his studies and Aaron struggling to manage studies with the company work. Both of them got little time to spend together over the last two weeks-especially in Clara's absence. Aaron insisted they tell Clara about their relationship but Lily protested-too embrassed to admit she was right all the time. It was late in the afternoon when Lily was curled up on the couch with a book again, her feet tucked under her, while Aaron sat nearby with his laptop open. Clara was gone since morning and said she'd return late today. The quiet intimacy of the moment was broken only by the occasional click of the keyboard or the rustle of pages as Lily flipped through her novel. She glanced up, catching Aaron staring at her. “What?” “You,” he said simply, his voice low and teasing. Lily raised an eyebrow, though her lips twitched in amusement. “Me?” Aaron nodded, pushing off the wall and walking toward her. “I’ve been trying to work all day,
“Then I’d wait,” he said simply, his tone unwavering. “However long it took.”Lily felt her chest tighten at the sincerity in his words. “You don’t have to wait anymore. I’m ready.”His eyes searched hers, as if he couldn’t quite believe her words. “You mean that?”She nodded. “I mean it.”There was a pause before Lily resumed."So...are we....exclusive now?” her tone light but her gaze searching.Aaron’s grin widened, his confidence returning. “Lily, I’ve been exclusive to you since the day we met. You’ve been the only one for me.”Her cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head, suddenly feeling shy under the intensity of his gaze.“Since then?" She asked when she realised what he had said.Aaron tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Since then. And you? Am I the only one for you?”Lily smiled, her hand brushing lightly against his chest. “Yes. It’s only you.”His shoulders visibly relaxed, and he let out a breath he didn’t seem to realize he’d been holding. “Good. Because
Lily looked up at him with widened eyes, unsure of what to say. “You don’t have to use it,” he added quickly. “I just thought...if you ever needed anything, it might help.” Clara raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, though she had a massive smirk on her face.“Thank you?" Lily said, unsure.Aaron held her gaze for a beat longer before nodding and leaving the room. As the door closed behind him, Clara leaned in, “You know what that is, right?” “What?” Lily asked. “That’s trust,” Clara said with a grin. In the quiet moments that followed, Lily stared at the key in her hand, her mind racing. Trust, she thought. It was a small gesture, but it carried more weight than Aaron probably realized. The day had stretched into a quiet evening, Lily stood by the large windows of the penthouse, watching the sunset. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions, all centering on Aaron.He had been quieter than usual after their last conversation. She could sense the weight of his emotions every ti
Lily was curled up on the couch at the penthouse, with the same book in her lap. Her mind wandered restlessly, replaying Aaron’s intense behavior at the café and the protectiveness in his eyes. Clara had wisely given her space after their conversation, though Lily suspected she was lurking somewhere nearby, ready to jump in with more pointed observations. Lily sighed, snapping the book shut and leaning back against the cushions. Damian’s voice broke the silence. “Ms. Lily, Mr. Knight wants you, he's at the balcony.” Lily looked up. “Did he say why?” “He didn’t,” Damian replied, his tone as formal as ever. “But he did insist it was important.” Lily hesitated, her heart skipping a beat. “Alright,” she murmured, setting the book aside. Aaron was already on the balcony when she stepped outside, his tall frame silhouetted against the city skyline. The evening breeze ruffled his hair slightly, softening the usual sharpness of his appearance. He turned at the sound of her fo
The day wore on with an unsettling quietness. Lily had hoped for a moment of peace, but the intensity of her recent conversation with Aaron loomed over her like a storm cloud. She spent the morning aimlessly flipping through her to-do list, pretending to work but unable to focus on anything for more than a few minutes. She started to have doubts if she was making the right decision by completely trusting someone so soon after...she shook her head. By the time the clock struck noon, Clara barged into her room. “Okay, enough of this brooding,” Clara said, hands on her hips. “Get dressed. We’re going out.” “I’m fine, Clara. Really.” Lily opposed. “No, you’re not,” Clara countered. “You’re overthinking everything again, aren’t you?” When Lily didn’t respond, Clara sighed and grabbed her hand. “Come on. You need a change of scenery before you lose your mind. Besides, I need coffee, and you’re coming with me.” "Clara, I-" "It's been days since we've spent quality time tog
Aaron lingered near the door for a moment before stepping back inside, his gaze hesitant but resolute. Lily turned to face him, her brows furrowing slightly. “I thought you were leaving,” she said, her voice softer now. “I was.” He walked back toward her, his steps deliberate. “But I realized something.” Lily’s heart thudded against her ribs as he closed the distance between them slowly. She tried to appear composed, but his presence made it nearly impossible. Aaron stopped a few feet away, his expression a mix of determination and vulnerability. "I’ve spent so much of my life walking away-from people, from emotions, from anything that felt... complicated. But I don’t want to do that with you.” Lily blinked, stunned by the weight of his words. “Aaron...” “I’m not expecting you to feel the same way or even to understand,” he continued, his voice steady. “But I need you to know that you’re the first person who’s made me want to stay.” Her chest tightened as his c
He nodded, his gaze fixed on the view outside the window. “And then there was Zared.” Lily tensed at the mention of Zared’s name, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. She stayed quiet, letting Aaron continue. “He wasn’t even family,” Aaron said, his tone bitter. “Just the son of my father’s closest friend as you already know. But they treated him like he was their own flesh and blood. Better than that, actually. Zared was everything they wanted me to be: charming, obedient, perfect. And they didn’t bother hiding it.” Lily’s chest tightened at the pain in his voice. "They seem so different, I never imagined they could do all this." Aaron looked at Lily. "Everyone had their masks, Lily. You can never imagine how worse the sweetest people could get." Lily's eyes held pity as well as disappointment upon hearing the world's reality. "Every time I messed up, every time I didn’t meet their impossibly high standards, they’d bring up Zared. ‘Why can’t you be more l