Yet, in the end, she had shown a strength he had never acknowledged. Her departure, her willingness to leave him, spoke of a resilience he had underestimated. Was it possible that he had been wrong about her all along? Three months had passed since Lily left the confines of Zared's mansion and started living peacefully with Clara. On the surface, her life had taken a remarkable turn. Clara, who had revealed her true self in an unexpected twist of fate, had opened her home and heart to Lily, offering her a fresh start which she gratefully accepted. Lily had settled into Clara's spacious, elegant home, a far cry from the suffocating walls she had known before. She had even secured admission into the top university in London. Lily's days were now filled with the vibrant hues of opportunity and freedom. She attended lectures in grand, historic halls, engaged in lively discussions with new friends, and found solace in the bustling energy of the city. Clara, too, became more than a pro
They had their own struggles, she knew, but they also had a freedom she longed for. A freedom from the relentless grip of fear. She felt a pang of jealousy, wishing she could experience their normalcy, their ability to find happiness in the mundane. Her mind drifted to her classmates at the university. They were vibrant and full of life, immersed in their studies and social lives. They spoke of their dreams and ambitions with an ease that seemed foreign to her. Lily participated, she smiled and engaged, but there was a part of her that remained distant, locked away. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was different, marked by her past in a way that set her apart. As she lay there, the ceiling fading into a blur, Lily felt a deep sense of loneliness. Clara had been a wonderful friend, a pillar of support, but even she couldn't fully understand the depths of Lily's pain. She longed for the days when her biggest worries were academic pressures and social anxieties, before her lif
It was a pleasant morning. The warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze contrasted sharply with the turmoil inside him, feeling a deep sense of regret and sorrow, a constant ache that gnawed at him relentlessly. His eyes fell upon a dead tree in the garden below, its barren branches hanging limp and lifeless. It was a perfect metaphor for his current state; empty, broken, and withering away, just like him. He couldn't shake the regret that plagued him every moment of his every day. If only he had trusted Lily, even for a second, he might not be standing here alone. The thought tormented him. He imagined a different life, one where he had a family, one where he hadn't driven her away with his baseless accusations and mean behaviour. The weight of his actions had become too much to bear. He needed to find a way to heal, to make everything alright. Zared's thoughts constantly drifted back to Lily. Every time he remembered her painful smile, a clenching pain gripped his heart. How had
Why was he here? His face still looked as angelic as it had before to her, but now there was a depth to his eyes, a sorrow and longing that hadn’t been there before. Under eye bags, messed up hair and he was in his pyjamas, he never left home like this? Never in his pyjamas, his under eye bags did injustice to the sleepless nights he had endured. She could see her galaxy in his eyes, the same eyes that once seemed indifferent and cold. Now, they were filled with an emotion she could scarcely believe. His expression was one she had never seen before, one that spoke of regret and a yearning. His lips parted, trying to form words, but he seemed unable to speak. His eyes were locked on hers, filled with an expectation that made her heart clench. For the first time, she could see something in his eyes other than coldness. Was it for her? Was he guilty for everything he had done? Does he expect her to go back with him? No... she thought, how can you even expect anything but inhumane beh
Her eyes widened in horror as she saw Lily unconscious in Zared’s arms. “What did you do to her, Zared?” Clara shouted, her voice a mixture of shock and accusation. “I didn’t do anything to her!” Zared protested, his voice cracking with anguish. “For God’s sake, Clara, call an ambulance. I swear, I didn’t hurt her! No I’ll take her!” Zared held Lily gently, his tears falling onto her pale face. He felt helpless, consumed by the weight of his actions and the consequences they had caused, carrying her to his car. Soon, they arrived at the hospital and Zared followed closely behind as they took Lily on a stretcher, his heart heavy with guilt and fear. At the hospital, they were met by a doctor who examined Lily. The diagnosis was that Lily had fainted due to her weakened state, consumed by the depression she was suffering from. The doctor’s words felt like a crushing blow to Zared, who could only blame himself for the turmoil Lily was enduring. The doctor discharged Lily afte
“Zared, you don’t understand. You broke me. You shattered everything I believed in. How can I ever trust anyone again, especially you?"Zared fell to his knees, his voice choked with emotion. “I know I’ve done terrible things, but I love you, Lily. I always have. Please, give me a chance.”Clara stepped in front of him, her voice firm.“Zared, enough. You’ve said your piece. Now go or else I'll kick you out of here if you don't leave."Zared looked up at Lily, his heart breaking. “Please....Lily.”Clara picked up her phone and dialled some number.Three well-built men in black suits, Riley's bodyguards, entered and picked Zared, forcing him out as Clara asked. Lily looked at him, her heart torn. She had loved Zared deeply, but the pain he had caused was too much to bear. “I can’t, Zared. I’m sorry.” Zared’s shoulders slumped, the weight of his regret crushing him. “I understand. I’ll leave you alone.”Clara watched as Zared slowly stood up, his eyes never leaving Lily’s. She cou
New York, with its endless possibilities, was a place where they could dream without limits. One night, as they stood on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, looking out at the city lights that stretched as far as the eye could see, Lily felt a sense of clarity. The city had given her a new perspective, a reminder that life was vast and full of potential. Clara, standing beside her, squeezed her hand. "You know, Lily," Clara said softly, "New York might just be the start of something amazing for you." Lily smiled, feeling a warmth in her heart. "I think so, I spent too long working on others, maybe it's time I should start writing my story." Their vacation was a whirlwind of excitement and discovery, but it also provided the space Lily needed to reflect and heal. She realized that while the past had shaped her, it didn't have to define her future. New York was a reminder that she had the strength to move forward, to find happiness on her own terms. One cr
He quickly followed Zared while making sure to keep a safe distance. When Zared entered a nearby hotel, Aaron noted the name and decided he needed answers. He couldn’t let Zared disrupt the fragile peace Lily was beginning to find. Aaron spent the next few hours digging for information, using his contacts and the internet to track down Zared’s hotel room. His anger simmered beneath the surface, ready to erupt. By the time he reached the hotel, his resolve was steeled. He wasn’t going to let Zared hurt Lily again. He marched into the hotel lobby and headed straight for the elevators, bypassing the front desk with a determined stride. Once he reached Zared’s floor, he took a deep breath and approached the door. Without hesitation, he knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. He knocked a few more times before noticing a response. Zared opened the door, his expression shifting from surprise to recognition and then confusion. “Aaron? What are you doing here?” Aaron didn’t was