“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
"Either she’s not aware that the hotel belongs to me," Aaron continued "or she has a crush on me that’s why she ran away ?”“So full of yourself, aren't you?”“Always, now tell me, why did she suddenly run away from home ?”“That’s none of your business, it’s about my wife and my personal life.”“Then why is your wife not with you if she's in your personal life?”“You don't have to worry about that, she’ll soon be.”“A lot of confidence there, Williams. I haven't given her back to you yet.”“What do you mean you've not given her back to me-"“I met with her, had a talk, she is my hostage for now, why should I let her go ?”“What did you talk to her about ? What did she tell you ?”“Nothing much.”“I’ll get her-”“You can’t.”“What ?” “I will only let her go once you give me whatever I ask you of.”"This is not the time for jokes, Aaron.""You should let me decide that."“What is that you want ?”“I’m not sure….if you’ll be able to provide it.”“What do you want ?”“Guarantee.”“What
He turned back to Lily again and pulled her into his arms.Lily got startled by his action but she didn't push him away. The moment his arms wrapped around her and her head landed on his chest, it reminded her of the day she kept crying in his arms and he never let go of her. She hugged him back as a sigh of relief mixed with uneasiness escaped Aaron’s mouth.Aaron accompanied Lily as they came back at Zared’s mansion, his presence a silent reassurance. They arrived at the huge mansion where Lily had once lived, but all it looked like to her was plain black and white hellhole where she was hit, beaten to a pulp and left to rot all night long.They looked at the mansion from inside the car.“Lily.” Aaron called at her.She turned around with raised eye brows.“Are you sure you want to go back to him ?”“I am certain." She nodded reluctantly opposing her words.“Why?” Aaron asked in misery.“Because I love him.” Aaron’s breath hitched but he tried not to show that it affected him in an
"I'm sorry, Lily," Zared continued, his voice tinged with regret. "I know what I did wasn't...""You think your apology can make everything as it was before?" Lily interrupted, her tone incredulous. "All I did was love you, Zared. That's all I did, and this... this is what you repay me with? You don't even deserve to be called a human anymore." Pain filled her voice.Zared's demeanor hardened. "Oh, so now you're going to show attitude huh?" he retorted. "I just apologized to you."Frustration and anger surged within Lily, and without thinking, she lashed out, delivering a hard slap across Zared's face. He turned his head down in response, his expression a mixture of hurt and restraint.She remembered the look in his eyes.Similar to the times he would get violent with her. But this time, she sensed a difference. He threw down the spatula, his hand raised halfway as if to strike her, but then hesitated. Lily didn't flinch, meeting his gaze unwaveringly. The veins of his neck popped out
She had hoped that distance would dull the sharp edges of her emotions, but it seemed time was merely a healer of wounds, not an eraser of memories. The city around her buzzed with its usual fervor, oblivious to the quiet turmoil in her heart. Each street corner held echoes of Zared’s and Riley’s laughter, each café whispered fragments of their conversations. She had tried to move forward, to embrace his absence, yet his presence lingered in the shadows of her thoughts. Four months, and she still carried the weight of what could be one day. Nothing changed in her life but herself, the way she acted, the way she talked, she changed everything about her, hoping that she loses feelings for him someday or gains feelings for her someday, none happened. Her love for him had not diminished; it had only evolved into a poignant ache, a testament to the depth of her heart's yearning. She wondered if he ever thought of her, noticed her change, saw how she had grown quiet and doesn't bother h
"Grateful?" she echoed, her voice trembling. "I'm supposed to be grateful that a man was tortured and killed? You don't even care, do you? About what happened to me, about anything other than your own twisted sense of power." He took a step closer to her, his presence menacing. “Watch your mouth, Lily. You're stepping out of line." She stood her ground, a surge of anger and determination rising within her. “No, Zared. I've been out of line for too long. I'm done being afraid of you. I'm done living this nightmare." He smirked, taking a sip of his drink. "And what do you plan to do about it? Run off to Aaron again? He won't save you this time." Lily's heart ached at the mention of Aaron. He had been her savior, her protector. But she couldn't rely on him to fix her life. She had to take control, to find her own way out. She walked back to her bedroom banging the door shut, she picked her phone up and dialled Aaron’s number, not even two rings passed as Aaron picked up the call.
The stark reality was unavoidable,Zared would never love her, and she could no longer sacrifice her sanity and dignity, no longer live as pushover and a people pleaser, no one had pleased her ever but she always cared about them being hurt or disrespected no matter how much disrespect she endured.On the second night, Lily sat by the window, staring out at the moonlit garden. Her mind was made up, solidified by the silent hours of contemplation and the unrelenting pain in her heart. She knew what she had to do. Gathering her courage, she wrote out the words she had rehearsed in her mind a thousand times: "I want a divorce." The finality of the words felt like a liberation, a step towards reclaiming her life and self-worth. She knew Zared would not make it easy, that he would try to manipulate and intimidate her into staying, but she was resolute. She had survived his worst; she could survive his wrath.With a newfound sense of determination, Lily began to prepare for the inevitable c
The penthouse felt lifeless. Every step Aaron took echoed through the empty rooms, each sound reminding him of what he’d lost. He couldn’t stop himself from wandering to Lily’s favorite spots-the kitchen where she used to hum softly while brewing tea, the couch where they would argue about what to watch, her corner of the bedroom where her books were still stacked neatly, her pink and white bedroom-the one she always dreamed about. He stood by the window where Lily once leaned against his chest, watching the city lights together happily. Now, those same lights felt distant and cold. On the coffee table lay a scarf she’d left behind, forgotten in the rush of her departure. Aaron’s hand trembled as he picked it up, the soft fabric bringing back the faintest trace of her perfume. He closed his eyes, clutching it tightly as if it could somehow bring her back. Aaron couldn’t shake the memory of her face when she left, her tear filled eyes, the hurt in her voice as she said goodbye.
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