Chapter 55 - The Other Nathan

"I only write when I am falling in love,

or falling apart."

Lilly's POV

The knock on my door pulled me out of my endless trance, my gaze lifting from my phone as I mumbled a low, "Come in." I tossed the phone aside, boredom gnawing at my thoughts. I glanced toward the room's entrance, expecting it to be Dad or Chase as they have never left my side since I woke up, only to be proven entirely wrong.

My eyes widened, and I shifted in my seat, straightening up, my palms pressing into the mattress as he stepped into the room, carefully closing the door behind him. My throat burned, the air heavy with unspoken tension. My gaze flickered to the door that let him in before meeting his tortured grey eyes.

"Christian...uh, Dad is here, he would—" I tried to say, the thought of my dad stumbling upon him again made my heart race uncontrollably.

He nodded, his movements slow and deliberate as he took a hesitant step forward, "I know," he said, the muscles of his jaw working as his eyes roamed my face, searching for something. "I asked for his permission," His words didn't help but add a new layer of anxiety to my already frayed nerves.

"And...and he said—yes?" I stuttered, disbelief coloring my voice.

Christian nodded, stopping just beside my bed, "Yeah, he did."

I couldn't comprehend any of it. Dad had always been fiercely protective of me, especially when it came to guys, but with Christian, it was a whole different level. The fact that he would accept this made a heavy feeling settle over my chest, like a stone sinking into the depths of my soul. Something must have happened.

Christian kept silent at first, the air heavy with a million unspoken words. The grey of his eyes mirrored the storm inside me, a whirlwind of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. The longer I stared at his broken gaze, the heavier the tears felt as they welled up in my own, threatening to spill over for some unknown reason.

Almost as if his legs could no longer support him, his gaze fell to the chair by my bed, "Can I?" he asked, his voice heavy with the weight of someone who had fought a war and returned back defeated.

Uncertain of anything anymore, I nodded my head, "Yeah."

He sank into the chair, his eyes flickering around the room, absorbing my surroundings before they settled on me again. The lines on his forehead and between his brows seemed permanently etched by the burden of his worry. His anxious expression was so foreign, a stark contrast to the person I thought I knew.

"Can you really not—" He struggled to form the words, swallowing hard, as he gazed at my useless legs tucked under the blanket, "Is it true? Can you really not...walk?"

I rubbed a hand over my throat, trying to dull the ache building there at the mere thought of it, "For now, yeah," I mumbled, "The doctor said it's temporary," I added, trying to infuse a flicker of hope into my words, "I will start my treatments soon."

But neither my words nor the fragile hope they carried managed to ease the torment apparently ravaging his soul. His distress was palpable, a heavy, suffocating presence that mirrored my own despair.

The room seemed to close in around us, the weight of unspoken words pressing down, threatening to crush us beneath it all.

Christian's gaze eyes flickered down to his lap, staring at his hands as he fidgeted with them, "You know, I keep going back to that day, I just can't stop thinking about it," He started to say, his voice low, aching, and desperate, "The day I ruined everything," He added, his eyes flickering up to my own, filled with a haunting sorrow, "The day I told you everything."

Oh, that day—I never want to recall that day ever again...

"I keep thinking...wishing to have dealt with things differently, if so, none of this would've happened," He shook his head, "You wouldn't be here, hurt, because of me."

I shook my head, "It's not your fault," He wasn't the one to aim and fire, after all.

"It is," He interjected, the weight of his guilt heavy, so heavy, it felt like it could drag him further down, "I started everything, it is my fault."

"I knew that I loved you back then, Lilly, I knew and I fought against it, with everything in me I fought it, trying to remind myself that you were my enemy, that I shouldn't," He said the last words with a scoff, as to address the absurdity of it, "I knew and I purposely ruined it all."

"That day...you were scared, you were worried, you were vulnerable, you were—pregnant for god's sake, pregnant with my child and I..." He shook his head, unable to resume that sentence without unraveling at the seams, the emotions pressed behind his eyes, turning them a shade too dark, watering them with unshed pain.

"I should've been there for you, I should've taken your hand in mine and assured you that it was all going to be okay, I should've thrown away all my plans of revenge because you had no fault in any of it. I should've been there for you on that day, Lilly, and I wasn't," He shook his head, and the first tear fell down his cheek, reminding me of memories so bitter, those that I buried deep down, never feeling strong enough to face them.

"I didn't, instead, I took advantage of your weak state and flipped your whole world upside down."

Another tear trickled down his cheek, triggering my own to fill up my eyes, ready to spill over any second now, "I am sorry, Lilly," He mumbled, his sorrow so genuine like he wished he could go back and change everything, "I am so sorry for everything I put you through."

"If you only knew what I would give to go back and change it all," He added, hopelessly, because he simply couldn't rewrite the past, just like I couldn't. I don't think I blamed him for what happened. He only revealed what was already there, hidden and tucked away. It was my reaction that ruined everything, not him. It was me all along.

Christian's elbows pressed over his knees, his head falling into his palms, trying to hold himself together and failing. A tremor seemed to pass through his shoulders, tensing them up even more. The last couple of days seemed to have caused more damage than I could've possibly imagined.

Edging forward, my hand rested over his head, "Christian," I softly called for him.

Tilting his head up, his tearful tormented eyes met my own, "You can't take all the blame, it wasn't all your fault," I said, swallowing past the lump in my throat, "You and I...we, we were wrong from the very start," Perhaps that's why I was drawn to him, the reckless girl in me always liked wrong, she reveled in the unknown and the forbidden, "Things happen for a reason, right? Maybe there is some hidden bigger reason behind all of this mess."

I couldn't, for the life of me, figure that reason out yet, but I hoped there was meaning behind all this torment, all the pain and hurt that my family went through. Could there really be a reason?

Maybe, just maybe, our suffering wasn't in vain. Perhaps there was a lesson, a hidden truth in the chaos that had consumed us.

"I cared about you, a lot," I mumbled, honestly, "I think I always will," I shook my head, "I don't wish you any harm, ever," He's been through enough as it is, I really wished he'd be okay and happy, "I just hope one day you'll be able to make your peace with what happened to your father, that you'll move on, and not miss out more on the life that you have."

He gazed at me with eyes that held too much, far too much for my fragile state to absorb. Silently, he nodded, the muscles of his jaw twitching as he brought his hand up to wipe away the tear from his cheek, "I only came here because I wanted to say goodbye, Lilly," he mumbled, his tone heavy with finality, "I promise that I won't come barging into your life again, I have to build my distance, far away from you, so I can somehow—move on."

It was the right thing; I knew that. He couldn't be a part of my life after all that happened, after all that we shared. We couldn't just be friends and move on. It was the right thing, but I couldn't help the way my heart clenched, the way my chest tightened, and the tears in my eyes finally spilled over, uncontrollably streaming down my cheeks.

It felt as though I kept losing people I cared about, and I was not equipped for that. I never was.

Lines tightened between his brows, and for one last time, one final goodbye, he edged forward, his arms wrapping around my frail body and pulling me closer to him. Sniffling, I brought my arms up and hugged him back. He cradled the back of my head, his grip over me tightening the slightest and my eyelids fell shut as I tried to make my peace with this too.

When he pulled back, he rested his hand on my cheek, gazing down at me with absolute heartbreak, almost as if he didn't want to leave, never wanted to break apart, but he had to. His thumb brushed the top of my cheek, "I will always love you, Lilly," he whispered, his voice aching, almost as if loving me was a disease, a plague, some type of cancer that ate him alive.

The pain in his voice was palpable, a raw, visceral wound that cut deeper than any physical injury, and it hurt me, hurt me to know that I could do nothing to fix this. What he and I shared, though cursed from the very start, clung to my inside like a haunting melody, a bit beautiful but tragic song that would echo within me for too long.

He brushed my tears away and a very somber smile pulled the corner of his lips, "He is a lucky guy, make sure he knows that," He whispered lowly, making his peace with the fact that what Chase and I have, isn't something he can fight against. He knows that he'd lose.

My eyelids fell down when he leaned closer and pressed a gentle kiss over my forehead, "Take care of yourself, okay," He whispered against my skin before he completely broke apart, stepping away from me and finally, ready to leave me, and his past, behind.

I nodded my head, "You too," I mumbled, ever so weakly.

With one last glance, one last somber broken smile, he turned around and walked away and I felt my eyesight get blurrier by the second; the weight of our goodbye settled over me like a shroud and I felt myself sinking further down. I knew that some part of me would always care for him, bound by memories of what we had. Yet, it was clear that our paths had diverged, and that my heart only ever had one rhythm, for one person only.

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Nikolas's POV

I paused at the room's threshold, my eyes falling on Nathan, watching him, lost in his own world as he scribbled down in his notebook, like it was the most important thing in this world. Trying to understand him felt like grasping at shadows, exhausting and futile. So, instead of questioning him and his behavior this time, I chose to ignore it and carry on.

I walked into the room, my footsteps breaking his trance. He looked up, hazel eyes meeting mine and he paused in his task, his attention solely focused on me.

A heavy breath escaped my lungs as I settled on the couch next to him, the weight of everything we'd been through lately crashing over me like a tidal wave. The emotional fatigue was almost tangible, pressing down on me. After this one hell of a year, I really needed a damned break.

I turned to look at him, and he closed his notebook, pushing it aside as if shielding it from my prying eyes. My eyebrow arched in curiosity, "What do you keep writing?"

Nathan shrugged, sinking back into the cushions. "Words, sentences," he mumbled, his voice distant and weary.

I let out a sigh and roughed a hand up my hair, "You went and saw Lilly?" I said, more of a statement rather than a question.

His head whipped toward me, wary eyes scanning my face, trying to read my reaction, checking if I was angry or not. He nodded, "I did, but I didn't do anything wrong, I swear," he said, immediately defending himself as if I had accused him of anything.

My eyebrows knit together, "Why did you go there, then?"

He shrugged, confusion mirrored in his eyes, "I'm not sure," he mumbled, gaze dropping to his lap, "I just wanted to see with my own eyes if she's okay."

I scrutinized him, trying to decipher the complex web of emotions behind his words and, as usual, failing miserably. There was a bit of vulnerability echoing through him, a silent plea for something unknown that I couldn't quite grasp. Deciding it was better not to question further, I ran a hand over my face and leaned back into the cushions, trying to relax my frayed nerves.

He was very exhausting to deal with. He was like this puzzle with pieces scattered and broken, each fragment more intricate and elusive than the last.

My gaze flickered to the notebook he had tucked aside, its weary edges a testament to its old age. The notebook seemed to hold secrets, a silent witness to his internal battles. I could almost feel the weight of his thoughts, each word could be a reflection of his fractured self.

The sight of it stirred something within me, as if unlocking its pages might reveal the answers that lay hidden in the labyrinth of his mind.

Before I could dwell further on it, little tiny footsteps echoed closer and her sweet soft voice broke through my tired brain, "Daddy? Are you here?" She mumbled, looking around for me. Her baby voice became clearer and her small feet paused by the door, her eyes traveling and falling on me. Almost instantly, a big smile spread over her lips, prompting me to smile as well. Clutching two of her dolls tightly in her arms, she scurried into the room.

She halted to a sudden stop midway, her eyes widening in shock when they registered the other presence next to me, "Uncle Nathan!" She gasped, both in shock and delight.

My gaze flickered to him, watching his lips curve into a soft smile, his upper body leaning forward, urging her to get closer. She jogged toward him, coming to a stop when she was right across from us, "Daddy, look!" She told me, pointing at him, "It's Uncle Nathan," She said, ever so excitedly, as if it was some type of breaking news.

I nodded my head with a small smile at her innocent enthusiasm, "I know," I mumbled.

Nathan edged closer, gazing at her with a raw softness I hadn't seen on him before, "Hey you," he whispered, reaching forward and picking her up into his lap, to which she gladly accepted. Her smile widened as she looked up at him, and then she brought her hand to his face, resting it over the cut at the top of his cheek. Her eyebrows pulled closer in concern. "What happened?" she asked, curious as she tilted her head and gazed at him.

He shook his head gently, "Nothing important," he said, bringing his hand up to tuck her hair behind her ear. "I kind of missed you, do you know that?" he whispered to her, and she smiled again, her small fingers tracing the edge of his cut, as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

She averted her gaze to her lap before she pushed her two dolls at him, "Do you wanna play?"

He chuckled lowly and nodded, "Yeah, sure, why not," He said and she handed him the boy doll.

"This is boy," She informed him and she clutched the girl one, "This is girl," She mumbled, her wonderous eyes looking around, then she gasped, her eyes widening slightly as she looked behind to where she came from, "There was a baby, where is the baby," She mumbled, sadness quenched her eyebrows and she looked at me, pouting, "Daddy, I lost the baby," She mumbled.

I reached for her, and my hand brushed her cheek, "It's okay, I will get you all the babies you want," I said, my assurance brought her smile back and she looked at Nathan, "Daddy will get me new dolls, so we can play then, okay?" She said, nodding her head.

Nathan's eyes softened even more, a tenderness overtaking his expression and he nodded his head. I kept watching them up close, my focus mainly on Nathan and how he gently interacted with her. See, understanding him is so exhausting.

Maria went on, telling him about every little doll she owned, way too engrossed and he intently listened. His smile wavered midway and his expression shifted a bit, his eyelids dropped down for a second and I knew he was struggling with the pain eating him up on the inside. A cough raced up his throat and he turned his face away from her, bringing his fist up to his mouth, attempting to shield his cough.

The sound of it was raw, harsh, and grating, it spoke of the stage his illness must've reached, a sickness that gnawed at his insides, something he was choosing to live through till he breathed his last. And that last was soon, sooner than I'd like to admit or confront. He tried to stifle it, but a small spatter of blood slipped past his lips, staining his fist. He quickly wiped the blood discreetly against his sleeve, hoping Maria wouldn't notice.

She paused in her rambling and gazed at him, her head tilting in worry, "Uncle Nathan," she mumbled, her voice soft as she rested her hand on his cheek, drawing his gaze back to her, "Are you okay?"

He looked at her and nodded, forcing a smile to ease her innocent concern, "Yeah, yeah, I am," he said, his voice straining to hide the truth.

She retreated her hand from his cheek and rubbed at her eyes as a small yawn parted her lips. Nathan caressed her face, "You look tired," He commented. She nodded her head, her eyes flickering to me, "Mommy said put me to sleep," She said with a small pout, extending her arms forward toward me.

"Come here," I said, taking her into my lap. She placed her dolls aside and settled in my embrace, her little arms wrapping around my waist. She rested her head on my chest, and I wrapped her in my arms, cradling the back of her head with my palm. My fingers gently wove through her hair, trying to soothe her as she relaxed, succumbing to sleepiness.

"I thought I'd be able to hurt her," Nathan's low words made me whip my head toward him, and an intense urge to kill him at the mere thought of it surged within me. His gaze, confused and conflicted, met my bewildered wide eyes. He shook his head, "I didn't, I mean I wouldn't. I just... I thought I'd be able to," he mumbled, voicing his inner turmoil.

"Back then, I thought I could inflict harm on her," he confessed, shaking his head as he gazed at her, "But I could never," he added, looking up at me with a sad smile, "I guess I'm not that far gone, huh," he said, a hint of mockery in his voice.

My jaw clenched, and I wanted to punch him, ram his head into a wall, and bury him ten feet under, infuriated at the fact that he had thought of this once upon a time. He sensed my hostility and attempted to distance himself. He gulped down before rose to his feet and grabbed his phone and notebook. "I should head out," he said, his voice heavy, "Nathan could get back any minute now, and it's better if he doesn't see me," He added, injecting a hint of playfulness into his words as he added, "Too many Nathans in one house, won't end well."

"Where will you go?" I asked.

"I'll check up on Christian," He said, shoving his phone into his pocket, "He didn't sound that good last time we talked."

I nodded my head, "Don't forget about tomorrow," I said and he nodded, his eyebrows pulled closer, "Where will we be going to, exactly?" He questioned and I shook my head, "You'll see." I said, my last attempt to shake him back, to convince him to get the surgery and fight to survive. If it doesn't work, then there isn't anything else that I can do.

He gave me a silent nod then he turned and walked away, the weight of his demons dragging behind him.

My gaze left him and fell on my little girl, her tiny body slowly drifting to sleep in my arms. Her warmth felt like a calming balm to my weary soul. I tried to relax my tensed muscles, sinking back into the cushions, keeping her securely tucked close. Leaning down, I pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head, feeling the warmth and softness of her hair against my lips.

Sleepily, she lifted her head, a lazy smile spreading across her lips. Her small hand reached up, caressing my cheek with a touch so gentle it made my heart ache, "Love you, Daddy," she mumbled, her voice a soft, sweet melody in the quiet room.

I dropped another kiss onto the top of her head, my lips lingering on her soft skin, breathing her in, "I love you more," I whispered. Tightening my arms around her, I held her close, my heart swelling with something so overwhelming. My gaze traced the delicate lines of her face, cherishing every moment as she drifted deeper into sleep.

At this instance, every fucked up thing faded away. All that mattered was the precious bundle in my arms, her gentle breaths a soothing rhythm against my chest.

Finally, I relaxed, letting my eyelids drop, surrendering to the calm I had been craving for the past few days, only to open them back up when footsteps echoed close. My eyes drifted across to see my boy walk down the hallway, moving and looking around before his gaze settled on me then flickered to his sister nestled in my embrace.

Lines etched his forehead as he stepped closer, "I was hoping I'd catch her before she fell asleep," he mumbled somberly before he crouched down across from me. His hand reached out, gently caressing the back of her head, and he leaned in to leave a tender kiss on her temple. "I missed you so much," he whispered.

His sight, his innocent words, amplified the tightness over my chest, and the weight of our new reality pressed down on me; of how this chaos stole our peace and normalcy. With everything happening, our lives were more unstable than ever. The constant back and forth between here and home had disrupted all our routines, leaving us adrift in uncertainty.

Nathan's school, our work, and the relentless tide of crises had pulled me away from home more than I liked to admit. When Lilly got hurt, Natalie brought Maria and came here right away, but Nathan had to stay behind for his finals. The separation, the distance, and the instability gnawed at me, and I couldn't help but feel like a shitty father for everything I am putting them through.

Nathan got up to his feet, ready to walk away but my hand shot up to his arm, making him pause in his steps. Confused, he turned around and faced me. I nodded to the spot next to me, "Come here," I said, "Sit with me for a bit," I urged, softly.

Lines deepened between his brows but he listened and sat down next to me, his eyes flickered over my face, reading my inner stress and fear, "Is there something wrong?" He whispered, his head cooking up the worst scenarios.

Truth is, everything was still wrong at the moment, but I was going to fix it all. I just needed time.

I shook my head, refusing to worry his little self about the details, "No," I said, my eyebrow raising, "I can't just sit and chat with my son?" I questioned, my tone releasing the tension from over his shoulders, calming him down, "I feel like we haven't talked in forever," I added, "How's everything?"

A low sigh parted his lips and his back sank against the cushions, "It's good, just had a couple of stressful days at school," He mumbled, his eyes meeting mine again and a very small smile touched his lips, "But nothing I can't handle."

My lips lifted up as well and I nodded, very much aware of that. "Okay now, school aside," I added, trying to reach deeper, "How are you?"

He sensed the underlying meaning of my words, because his expression shifted a bit and I noticed the color of his eyes dimming slightly. His throat bobbed, "I am good," He answered, his eyes drifting away from me on purpose as he ran an anxious hand over the back of his neck.

With one arm wrapped around Maria, I brought the other one up and wrapped it around his shoulders, cupping the side of his neck, and urging him to look at me, "Talk to me, Nathan," I said, "Anything, say whatever you want, ask anything you want, just talk to me, please. Whatever it is, I can take it," I added. I was okay with anything now, anything but his silence and distance.

He gazed at me with a mixture of vulnerability and hesitation, his eyes, were a lot like his mother's, they expressed everything he felt before his mouth ever could. My heart twisted in my chest, it ached so bad, because all I ever wanted was for them to have a normal life but my past managed to steal that away from them too, "Just say it, whatever it is, Nathan, just say it."

I would be okay with his anger, even if he stood up, screamed, and shouted, anything was better than watching whatever was bothering him eat him up on the inside.

His head tilted down and his eyelids fell for a second as he attempted to gather himself. When he opened them again, when they met my own, they were more liquidy, more tortured, "Mom and I talked," He said, "I asked and she gave me answers," He explained, "She told me about what you went through when you...when you were even younger than me," His eyebrows pulled closer and he shook his head, the tears gathering in his eyes, "And I couldn't understand how could someone ever do that to you."

The first tear fell down his cheek, breaking my heart as it slipped through. With my grip over his shoulder, I pulled him closer to me. He wasted no time and wrapped his arm around me, almost like he was aching for it. He buried his head into my shoulder and I cradled the back of it, "Hey, hey, it's okay," I said, unable to comprehend that his inner pain was for me and not because of me, "That was way in the past, Nathan, it doesn't matter anymore," I added, edging backward so I could look at him.

I cupped the side of his face, feeling the tremor in his cheek as he shook his head, sniffling lowly. "But it's not fair," he mumbled, his voice cracking under the weight of my old pain.

I brushed the side of his hair, I tried to wipe away his tears, my heart aching with every stroke, "But it doesn't matter, do you know why," I said, smiling somberly as I gazed at him, "Because I have you, and your sister and your mother, and I don't need anything else," I said, "Because watching you become the best version of yourself has been more fulfilling than anything else, and now—it's killing me to put you through all of this."

He shook his head as he brought his hand up and brushed his tears, "I just want our old life back, Dad, that's all, I just...I don't want to be worried all the time, about you, about something happening to you, or to Mom, or to Maria, or to anyone in our family, I—" He shook his head, reflecting the heavyweight he was silently carrying around, "I wouldn't handle it if anything happened to any of you."

"You don't have to worry about anything," I assured him, "Leave that to me, okay? Things are falling back into their right place and I will take care of the rest, I promise," I added, "In no time, it will all go back to the way it used to be, it's almost over."

"I won't let anything happen to you, or to your mother," I said, "Or to your sister." My gaze flickered down to her, still fast asleep in my embrace, innocently unaware of everything unraveling.

I looked back at him, his eyes searching mine, desperate for reassurance, "Or to yourself?" he stressed on.

I nodded, smiling softly. "Or to myself," I assured him.

I pulled him close, side-hugging him, savoring the warmth and the fragile peace of this moment. Him on one side, his sister on the other—my heart was almost too full, even in the midst of all the chaos.

I ran my hand up and down his arm, "Nathan, there is something that I should tell you," I said, ready to let him in on all that I was doing, ready to explain all of my reasons behind helping Nathan, "About —your uncle," My eyebrows pulled closer as I confusingly added, "It does feel weird to call him that."

Nathan looked up at me, and his eyebrow raised, "You mean the other Nathan," He said with an annoyed tone, rolling his eyes at the mere mention of him.

Yeah, this is not gonna be very easy to explain...

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One day later...

"So...Italy?" Nathan asked, his gaze confusingly drifting around and taking into our surroundings with a mix of bewilderment and displeasure. We had just landed half an hour ago, and throughout the two-and-a-half-hour flight, he had been relentless in questioning our destination. Now, he looked utterly unamused, sighing as he turned to me, "Why are we here?" He asked, pushing his hands into his jacket's pockets, "I don't like it here," He added, for some reason.

"I don't want to spend my last days in places I don't like," He added, never shutting up.

I roughed a hand over my face, getting annoyed by the second, "Also, I wanted to stay by Christian's side, he is going through the whole heartbreak thingy and whatnot," He said, his eyebrow raising in dissatisfaction, "See, this is why I don't like Lilly, god she makes me question my sanity," He grumbled, jumping from one conversation into another, "Anyway, Christian needs me to keep him in check, I should be there, not here," He added, his words hinting on something.

"In check as in?" I questioned.

The muscles of his jaw worked, twitching and he sighed, "You know in what," He mumbled.

His gaze flickered around, restless and uneasy, "Anyway, why are we here again?" he asked, still whining.

I sighed, exasperated, "You talk a lot, anyone tell you that before?"

He shot me a glare before letting out a very loud, dramatic sigh, finally accepting my invitation and getting into the damned car. I joined him inside and ushered the driver to get started. Nathan sank into his seat next to me, his shoulders slumping, his eyes flickering to the window, gazing at the outside world with a sense of dread and unease.

"Why don't you like it here?" I asked, breaking the silence.

His gaze shifted from the window to me, his eyes darkened with old memories, "He used to bring me here a lot," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper, associating the country with memories of Isaac he didn't want to recall.

I kept silent for the rest of our drive, and so did he, lost deep in his thoughts as he stared out of the window. His discomfort echoed louder than words could. His fingers tapped rhythmically against his thigh, a nervous tic betraying his inner stress. His eyes, though fixed on the passing scenery, seemed unfocused, as if he were seeing ghosts of the past rather than the present.

The car slowed to a halt as we reached our destination. I stepped out, and Nathan followed hesitantly, the frown deepening between his brows as he scanned the surroundings, trying to make sense of it all. He paused beside me, confusion etched across his features.

I started walking toward the entrance, pausing when he stood frozen in spot and I nodded ahead, "Come on."

Pushing his hands deeper into his pockets, he stepped forward hesitantly, his wary gaze flickering around, taking in every detail with guarded suspicion. We ventured through the cemetery, each step weighed down by an unspoken heaviness, until we reached the designated spot. Nathan's eyes were on me, seeking answers, searching my face for clues.

They flickered toward the headstone, and comprehension dawned, his questions finally answered.

His expression shifted to one of bewilderment, eyes widening before they snapped back to me.

My gaze remained fixed on the headstone, each bold letter carving out a name that haunted us both: Isaac Viarchi.

"After he died, I wasn't planning to just leave his body there as I did," I began, my voice low, "I wanted to rip it to pieces, to show it to his men, to shatter his legacy and prove that all his grand theories about his name living on after his death were mere delusions. But...it was at that moment I learned the asylum was bombed, and you were in it." I explained.

"So, I just rushed out of there, leaving it all behind."

Nathan's eyes stayed on me, a mixture of confusion and fear battling within them as he listened.

"After some time, I learned that his men came after us," I continued, my gaze finally meeting Nathan's. "Alastor, I suppose. He had taken his body and buried him here, out of all places."

Nathan's jaw clenched. His hands fisted in his pockets, his body tense with too many conflicting emotions, an urge to bolt intensifying in his wavering gaze. The air around us felt heavy, the cemetery silent except for the whisper of the wind through the trees.

He focused his gaze back on the headstone, his eyes clouded with so much anger, so much fury, "Why here?" He asked.

I was just as confused about the significance of this place at first, but after some digging, I unearthed the real truth, "His father—my grandfather, he is buried here too," I said, my eyes flickering to Nathan, explaining it all, "It was then that I figured how Isaac spent all of his life trying to prove to a dead man that he could amount to something, be someone," I said, "And he did, he sacrificed everything and everyone to become the supreme leader; his brother, the love of his life, his wife, his kids, all for power only."

"He thought power could finally erase that voice from his head, his father's voice, that told him he was nothing, that he was no one," I added.

Lines etched on Nathan's forehead, "How do you know that?" He whispered.

I tucked my hand into my front pocket, my gaze falling to the grass below our feet, "Because I couldn't move on that easily either, Nathan, not from his death nor from yours," I confessed, revisiting the ghosts of my own past.

I lifted my gaze back to him, "You see, when you have a target on your hand, someone that you are fighting, it is much easier, because you are busy all the time, your head is occupied with thoughts and plans on how to carry it, on how to fight and get rid of that person," I added, "But, when that's over, when that person is finally gone, you're left with to grapple with the aftermath, with the silence—it's so deafening. You have time, so much time, and your brain starts to sink down that pit, and you question every damn thing."

"Back then, I might've looked okay, but I wasn't," I said, "I was doing exactly what Isaac did, I was trying to prove to a dead man that I was better than he thought, I was trying to figure out answers, trying to learn—why...why did he do what he did, why did he hate me so much, why was he who he was," I added, explaining a period of my life probably only Natalie knows about, "I fell too deep into that hole. I dug around for anything about him, about who he was and all that he did."

"I found about a lot of things but at the same time, it's almost like I found nothing," I added.

My lips lifted into a sneer, "I mean, look," I said, pointing at the headstone, "Even after he died, he was still trying to prove something to his father, he still wanted to show him that he was someone, with his title written on stone, so he chose here out of all places to be buried, as if that could change anything."

Nathan listened intently to every word, the red lines in his eyes becoming more pronounced as he struggled with an ache so agonizing, so deep, that it mirrored the old turmoil that once surged within me. I was trying my best to help him face it, to come to terms with it, to pull him out of the same abyss I had once found myself in.

"When I saw this, learned this truth, I just stopped," I said, "I had to stop or else I would've spiraled into that same madness. I stopped questioning why he did what he did, I realized it wasn't about me after all, it was only about him," I said, "The abnormality was never me, it was him from the start."

"Because I could've gone on with the same cycle and did the same to my kids, but I didn't, I could never," I added, "And that says a lot of who I am and who he was."

"Nathan, I know that you keep asking yourself...why," I added, his eyes watering with moisture as they stared at me, "Why did he do this to you," I said, shaking my head, almost tasting the gravity of his pain, "But you shouldn't. Trying to search for answers to that question could only wreck you."

"And I know that you are choosing to die, to give up, just because of him, just because you want to prove something to him, that he can't dictate this part of your life, that death is a choice you are making on your own, fighting against the way he shaped every aspect of your life," I added, "But you shouldn't, trying to prove something to a dead man won't take you anywhere."

The first tear fell, and slipped down his cheek, "You can do what I did, you can choose to fight, to survive, to fight for everything that is good," I added, taking a step closer to him.

Another tear fell from his eyes, holding in its molecule a pain too heavy, too agonizing for anyone to bear, and he shook his head, "But I don't have that," He whispered, referring to the good he should be fighting for.

"You do," I reassured him, "Believe me, you do, you just can't see it yet, you are filled with so much hate that you are refusing to acknowledge it," I added, "I brought you here and the first thought on your mind was Christian," I laid it out before him, piece by piece, "You care about him too much, and if you die, who is gonna...who is gonna keep him in check?"

Silently, he kept listening, "You went out of your way to go and see Lilly, just to talk to her, why?" I said, bringing them all, "She told me how when Alastor was about to make his shot, you ran for it, ready to talk the bullet before she did, why?"

My jaw ticked, "You could've hurt my little girl, but you didn't, why is that?"

More tears spilled from his eyes but I wasn't done, "You have your sister and your brother, who are willing to forgive you even after you hurt the people closest to them," I added, "You have a father, who might not have that much time left, but his only wish is to see his son, the son he kept losing," I added.

Nathan pressed his eyes shut, and he took a step back, running away from this cruel reality, from this truth.

"And you have me, Nathan," I said and he pried his eyes open, "You have me, from start to end. I won't give up on you, I won't turn my back on you, I will be there to pick you up every time you fall," I added, "Nathan, I went against my brother and sister for you, that ought to tell you everything."

He shook his head, "But why...why would you?"

I edged closer, "Do you really not know why," I said, "I care about you, I did ever since you were a little boy," I really did, "I understand you because I was you, because you and I were created by the same monster and I can't let him ruin you any further than he did."

His tears flowed freely, and his chin quivered slightly as he raised his hands to cover his face. A tremor passed through his shoulders, threatening his fragile composure. I closed the distance between us, my hands curling over his arm, trying to steady him before I pulled him closer and wrapped him in my embrace, trying to shield him against something erupting from within.

He collapsed into my chest, his body failing him. I tightened my grip and held him up in a world that seemed determined to bury him. He clung to me as if I were his last breath, his grip desperate and trembling, "I did everything for him," he cried into my chest, his voice broken and raw, "I hurt you for him, I hurt Max and Nathan for him. I was ready to kill...to kill everyone just for him. Just because he wanted me to."

I wrapped my hand over the back of his neck, allowing him to let it all out, "I believed everything he said, all the lies Alastor fed me about you, I believed them, I believed that you hated me, that you've hurt me all those times, I thought...I really thought you hated me," He mumbled.

I edged backward, my hand stayed on the side of his neck, keeping him focused on me, "How could you ever think that, I named my son after you," I said.

He sniffled, "Yeah, true," He wiped his tears with his sleeves, "The other Nathan," He said, his lips twitching even through his tears.

My eyebrow raised and I lightly punched his shoulder, "Shut up, he is the original."

His lips curled up faintly, a smile so innocent, that reflected the kid who still resides in him, the one still stuck at that asylum, under the rubble and beneath the fire. He was still there and maybe I could finally get him out.

"I need you to fight, Nathan," I said, my tone turning back to serious, "You can't let Isaac win."

He tried to kick away his tears, kick off the weakness that tugged at his inner self and he composed himself, "I will, on one condition only," He said and my eyebrows pulled closer at his words, "I will do the transplant only if —Max and Nathan agree on it too. I've hurt them, and if I am going to...live," He whispered the word as if it was so foreign, "They should be okay with it too."

His words took me by surprise a little, but I nodded my head, nevertheless, "Okay, deal," I said.

My direct acceptance confused him slightly, "You seem so sure," He mumbled.

I nodded, "I already talked to Nathan last night, I explained it all and he agreed with me," I informed him, the news took him by surprise, "As for Max, well, he is his father's son after all, like Alex, he has a big heart and will forgive you too."

Nathan's eyebrow raised, "You seem to forget that Alex wants me dead as well," He commented.

I shook my head, "Not anymore."

His eyebrows pulled closer, "So, if I were to go near him, he won't kill me?"

"He might punch you, break your jaw or your leg, but he won't kill you."

"Oh," Nathan mumbled, taken aback.

"And Emma?" He checked.

"Oh, she still wants you dead alright," I said and his lips pressed into a thin line, "Nice," he mumbled sarcastically.

I shrugged, "I can control Alex, but I can never control Emma," I said, "You are on your own with her."

He gulped down, preparing himself for the worst, "Good thing I didn't come near Wyatt."

I tapped my hand over his shoulder in pity, "You'd be long dead, believe me."

He sighed, "She really owns her title with grace, huh," he mumbled.

I nodded with a proud smile, "Only she can."

───────౨ৎ ───────

Lilly's POV

Today was my first day of physiotherapy treatment.

And it went horribly.

The pain was excruciating, a relentless wave crashing over me every time I tried to move my legs. We had to cut the session short, my body betraying me, the agony was too intense to endure that I almost broke down in front of everyone.

Afterward, I tried not to let my inner torment show to all those around me. I buried my face in my pillow, seeking refuge in sleep, hoping it would dull the sharp edges of my suffering.

After a couple of hours, I pried my eyes open, emerging from a restless slumber, my hazy gaze wandering around the room as I fought back a yawn. My eyes settled on Chase, slumped on the small couch in the corner. His head tilted uncomfortably, eyelids heavy with exhaustion. A pang of guilt tugged at my heart, forming a pout on my lips. He kept refusing to leave my side, no matter how much I pressured him to go home and rest. He never budged.

A cold breeze bellowed around us, likely seeping through an open window in the hallway. My gaze flickered around, spotting an extra blanket at the foot of my bed. Groaning, I lifted my body and shifted it around as I reached forward, grasping it before glancing toward Chase. My eyes drifted from him to the floor, the few miles separating us, the distance between us felt like an insurmountable chasm, one my legs wouldn't allow me to traverse.

My body felt weak, fragile, as if the simplest movement could shatter me. Each heavy breath that climbed up my throat was a reminder of my limitations, a silent testimony to my struggle within.

I felt like I could cry.

I can't even cover him from the cold. That's how helpless I've become.

Tears welled up in my eyes, my throat closing up under the weight of my failing body. The sound of the door opening and footsteps echoing closer pulled me back from my despair. I sniffled quickly, blinking away the tears, terrified anyone would catch my moment of weakness. They all had enough to worry about; I couldn't add more.

My gaze flickered to Dad as he stepped further into the room, his eyes meeting mine. "You woke up," he stated, and I nodded.

"Yeah, just now," I mumbled, clearing my throat. "Uh, Dad," I mumbled, "Can I ask for a favor?"

He walked closer to me. "Yeah, sure, anything," he said, ready to shatter mountains and cross oceans for me.

I held up the blanket. "Can you put this on Chase? It's cold," I mumbled.

Dad's eyes flickered from the blanket to Chase, then back to the blanket. His jaw clenched, annoyed but silent. He would cross oceans for me, but he'd rather have all the boys as far from me as possible.

He sighed loudly and took the blanket from me, walking toward Chase and throwing it over him without care. I gave him a knowing look and he rolled his eyes, "The last thing I need is to cover up your boyfriends," he grumbled, moving away from Chase's side before sitting down on the edge of the bed next to me.

I smiled, the first genuine one in a while, because this was the closest he'd been to his old self. He'd been so distant lately, so silent, so reactionless toward everything and everyone. He doesn't smile anymore. I noticed that. I hadn't seen him smile since I woke up, not once, not even in relief or mockery. His face was expressionless, neutral, guarded.

My heart ached, so badly, for my father, for the man who used to light up the room with his laughter and wit. Now, he was a shadow of that man, and I feared he was slipping away from me too.

The burden of my pain and his own seemed to weigh heavily on his shoulders, dragging him down into a void of numbness.

I wanted to reach out, to hold him, to tell him it was okay, that he could be angry at me if he wanted, he could shout and scream, he could cry and break the whole room, anything, he could do anything but sink deeper into this terrifying state.

Before I could gather my next thought, I was interrupted as the nurse stepped into my room, wheeling a tray of food. The clinking of cutlery and the nurse's voice had Chase stirring from his sleep, his eyelids fluttering open in a daze. He rubbed his face wearily, his eyes searching until they settled on the blanket carelessly draped over him. Confusion knitted his brow before his gaze found mine.

Instantly, I smiled and threw him a kiss. He returned my smile and rose from the couch, his footsteps echoing softly as the nurse departed. He reached my side, taking my hand in his, the warmth of his touch helped me breathe better, "Why won't you listen to me and go home to rest, just for one night? Please," I pleaded, my concern etched in every line of my face as I looked up at him.

He squeezed my hand gently and I could feel Dad's watchful gaze on us, especially on our intertwined hands, "I am very well-rested here," Chase said, refusing still and I wanted to punch his handsome face before kissing it.

"I'll go get coffee," He said, his eyes drifting to Dad, extending an olive branch, "Do you want anything?"

Dad shot him a glare and shook his head curtly, audibly exhaling in what seemed like a mix of frustration and relief as I withdrew my hand from Chase's grasp. Will he ever make his peace with this? I think not.

Dad pinned Chase with an intense glare, his eyes narrowing with annoyance. "Don't you have a job or something?" he grumbled, his voice tinged with frustration. "Don't you have bills to pay? Shouldn't you work for that instead of hanging around here forever?"

Chase, accustomed to Dad's prickly demeanor, responded nonchalantly, a teasing grin playing on his lips. "Well, thankfully, my dad has a million-dollar company," he quipped, a hint of mischief in his tone.

"Billions, billions of dollars, you son of a—" Dad caught himself mid-curse, his lips pursing in restraint, stopping himself from cursing Auntie Katherine.

Chase's eyes flickered to mine, trying to hide his smile, a playful spark lighting up his gaze as he winked before strolling away.

Dad watched him depart, his gaze following his back until he vanished from sight. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, a muttered curse slipping out under his breath. I rolled my eyes knowingly. "You love him," I stated matter-of-factly.

Dad turned to me, his eyebrow raised incredulously, "Not when he's next to you," he grumbled with feigned annoyance.

I shook my head, refusing to engage further in their banter. Dad rose to his feet and nudged the tray of food closer to me. My stomach churned uncomfortably, and I shook my head in refusal, "I don't feel like eating."

"And I'm not asking for your opinion," He retorted firmly, settling down beside me again. He filled a spoon with the peculiar-looking soup and guided it toward my mouth, feeding me with a tenderness that belied his gruff exterior. It felt oddly nostalgic, how he was feeding me like I was a child again. Especially with my useless leg and how I'll need to learn how to walk all over again, I do feel like a child.

The soup tasted bland, the flavor lost amidst the weight of unspoken words and the ache in my heart. After a few hesitant spoonfuls, I gently took the spoon from Dad's hand and set it aside, reaching for a napkin to dab at my mouth before I turned around and looked at him.

His eyes confusingly followed my movements, his brows pulling closer as he watched me watch him, "What?"

It's now or never. We had to talk about this, about everything. We had to unravel the tangled threads that had strained our bond.

"I miss your smile," I whispered.

His eyes dimmed with something unspoken, a turmoil I had sensed but never fully acknowledged. Avoiding my gaze, he turned his attention back to the untouched food. "Lilly, you should eat, you heard the nu—" he started, attempting to deflect.

My hand gently closed around his arm, halting him before he'd get up and distance us further. "Dad," I whispered, urging him to stay.

He met my gaze reluctantly. "Can we talk about it, please?" I pleaded softly, my heart aching.

The muscles in his jaw clenched, and he relented, sinking back beside me with a heavy sigh. "Talk about what?" he asked, his tone guarded still.

"Everything," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "Dad, everyone can see it. You're not the same anymore—"

"How can I be?" he interjected sharply, his anger seeping through, "Tell me, Lilly, how could I be the same?"

"There isn't a thing that hasn't happened in this past year. For god's sake, it was a year where nothing good happened, not one thing, Lilly, so how could you expect me to be the same," He said, his jaw twitching.

"You came back from this goddamned country, and you stood in my house, the one that you grew up in and you called me a killer, Lilly," He said, "You called me a liar," His words dug up that old pain, it pushed that guilt and that self-loath back into my chest.

"Max looked me in the eye and told me that I am not his father," He grated out, the emotions of everything we've been through darkening his gaze to the point of no return, "He got hurt, I saw him bleeding and I almost lost him, Lilly," He said, "And to be honest, after that accident, I feel that I did, because he's been so distanced ever since, he never talks to me like before and I feel that I lost my little boy too."

Tears welled in my eyes as I listened, his agony echoing through my soul. His pain reverberated within me, tearing at my fragile heart, "Then there's Nathan and his fucking games, there is Christian following you around, there is Nikolas, Emma, Noah..." His voice faltered, choked with the weight of everything he couldn't voice, "And everything Lilly, just everything..."

"And on top of that," He said, and I saw such a raw weak look in his eyes I couldn't recognize, one I'd never seen on him before, "You got hurt, because of me," His voice lowered, his words choked, like he was fighting against the lump forming and clogging his throat, "You took a bullet that was meant for me, Lilly," He said, almost like that act killed him a hundred times more than the bullet would've.

"If you...if you died, do you think I would've been able to get over that?" He questioned, and I saw them gather in his eyes, they were enough for mine to spill down uncontrollably, "Do you really think I would've survived losing you?" He whispered, his broken eyes flickering all over my face, "Lilly, the parent doesn't outlive the kid, there is a reason for that," And the first tear fell down his face, breaking me apart at the seams.

"I am sorry," I whispered, not sure for which sin exactly, there were so many, "I am sorry, Dad, but I would do it again, and again," My voice was unrecognizable, my vision blurry I couldn't see through anymore, "Because I wouldn't survive losing you either," I mumbled.

He sucked into a stuttered breath, "Don't say that," he whispered.

I lowered my head down, my tears falling through, because I couldn't absorb all of that pain, his pain, and mine, they were too heavy, and they'd wreck me. I tried to contain them but they left me as a choked sob, it tore up my throat and before I could suck into my next breath, Dad's arm wrapped around me, pulling me into his embrace.

His embrace was still the same, still warm, still safe, still ready to carry me and carry the heavy weight of my guilt and mistakes.

"I am sorry," I sobbed into his chest, my words incoherent between my sobs as my arms frantically wrapped around him, needing him more than anyone, more than anything.

Dad cradled the back of my head, and he ran his hand through my hair, "No, little bug, I am sorry," He whispered, as brokenly, "Because since you came back, I've done nothing but hurt you back as well," He murmured into my hair, "I ignored your pain, I didn't take your feelings into consideration and I was just focused on keeping you safe, yet I still failed."

I pulled back, gazing at him as he wiped my tears, shaking my head, "No, no, you didn't."

He cupped my face between his hands, "I did," He whispered, his guilt much heavier than mine, "Lilly, I was always so terrified of losing you again, that I never gave you a chance to grow on your own, never allowed you to trip and fall and learn how to get up on your own, I couldn't, how could I?" His tearful eyes gazed into my own, "You're my little girl, how could I ever let you go?"

"My fear of losing you, since you were two years old, controlled everything else, Lilly," he said, reflecting on his inner trauma, "It controlled the way I raised you, the way I dealt with every problem you faced," His tortured eyes flickered all over my face, as if to memorize every edge, like some force was going to take me away from him again, "When you— got shot," His voice was trembling, "When I held you in my arms, and you were bleeding, Lilly, I—" He couldn't voice that inner pain out, it was more excruciating than anything, words would fail him now.

So, instead, I leaned forward, my arms going around his neck and I buried my face in his shoulder, holding into him as he held into me, "It passed, Dad, it passed, and I am okay, and I am here, and you're okay, you're here," I mumbled into his shoulder, "We will figure the rest out, and it will be okay again."

"I will learn how to get up on my own," It was ironic how that suited me, both mentally and physically at the moment, "And you will learn how to let me go, from time to time," I whispered, pulling back slightly so I could look at him, "We will teach each other, right?"

He nodded his head, using his hand to smooth away the bunched-up strands of my hair, he tucked them behind my ear and gazed at me with that same look that I remember so well, the one reserved only for me.

"I remember something," I spoke, my words a bit out of the blue, "But I am not sure if it's really a memory or my brain cooked it up," I said, recalling that one specific scene. Involuntarily, a small smile broke onto my face, amidst my tears, "I think I remember the first time you called me a little bug."

His eyebrows pulled closer as he listened to me explain it, "You were sleeping and I kept poking your face," My smile widened at the memory, "You kept swatting my hand away, thinking I am a bug of some sort," My words finally gave me that smile, it curled up the corner of his lips and he nodded his head, "It was your first day back home," He recalled it as well, "You had walked all the way down the stairs, leaving your mother to sleep and purposely woke me up to make you breakfast."

I chuckled lowly, "I was a headache since day one, huh?"

He nodded with a soft smile, "You have no idea."

He leaned back and pulled me to his side, his arm around my shoulders, tucking me so close. He left a tender kiss over the top of my head and I taught my heart how to calm down, relax, and bask in his warmth.

My eyelids fell down, happily sinking into his hold, "I love you so much, Dad," I whispered.

He tightened his grip around me, his cheek rested on the top of my head, "You're my whole world, little bug," He said, "I love you more than life itself," He added.

And I knew I was slowly going to get my dad back; the one who smiles and jokes a lot, the one that makes everyone laugh, the one that pretends to hate Chase and would throw a sexual comment in the most inappropriate moments, the one who loves so fiercely, who has the biggest of hearts, who forgives —and who is out of this world. I was just the luckiest person alive to have gotten him as my dad.

────────౨ৎ ────────

BONUS SCENE

Nathan's POV

"Why aren't we returning with the jet?" I asked, a touch of confusion in my voice, as my gaze flickered around, observing the other passengers boarding the plane.

I turned to Nikolas, who was seated next to me by the window. I bet he took the seat on purpose and left me to suffer in the aisle seat, "There is a problem with the engine and I didn't want to wait," he said, flipping casually through a book, his eyes skimming the pages.

"We could've waited—" I mumbled, feeling uneasy in the crowded space, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.

Nikolas glanced up, his eyes betraying annoyance at my never-ending complaints. "It's only a two-hour flight. Sleep or something," he grumbled.

I shot him a glare and slumped back into my seat, arms crossed over my chest. My eyes wandered over the crowd, each person immersed in their own world. They flitted from elderly couples to young families until they landed on—someone else entirely.

Someone who captured my attention in a span of mere seconds.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, I first caught a glimpse of her smile, so warm and soft as she leaned down, helping a young boy buckle his seatbelt. Her green eyes sparkled with something ethereal as the kid handed her a candy, his way of thanking her for the help. Chuckling softly, lines crinkled at the side of her eyes, her nose scrunched ever so adorably as she took it from him before she gently tapped her hand over his hair.

I felt the air leave my lungs by a force other than my sickness. My eyes stayed glued, for some reason, following only her around, taking notice of each gesture, every twitch of her face, and every slight movement.

She turned to assist an elderly man with his luggage, her smile warm and reassuring.

Her blonde hair was meticulously styled, pulled back under her hat—a uniform code, I supposed. Stray tendrils framed a face that seemed to be meticulously carved from the dreams of poets. She wore the crisp uniform like the rest of the flight attendants, but the navy blue and white attire fit her like a second skin, clinging to her curves ever so sinfully.

It felt as though time slowed, the cacophony of the plane fading into the background. All external sounds dimmed, only my heart pounded in my chest, so loudly, the rhythm quickening like I had just injected it with adrenaline. Each interaction she had, each smile she shared, only heightened the very weird feeling clamoring in my chest.

"Nathan," Nikolas's hand on my arm was the only thing to pull me out of my trance and I wanted to hit him because I was so focused. I tore my eyes away and looked at him, "Huh?"

His eyebrows pulled closer as he looked at me with confusion, almost as if he had called my name several times, but I hadn't heard him. "Your seatbelt," he pointed out, and that's when I realized we were preparing for take-off.

My eyes flickered back to the spot she had occupied earlier as I buckled my seatbelt, only to find it empty. My gaze drifted left and right, desperately trying to catch another glimpse, but my attempts failed. She had vanished, and the tinge of disappointment settled heavily in my chest, gnawing at me with unease.

I waited until the plane took off and the seatbelt sign was turned off. Pressing the button on the screen across from me, I requested assistance. A few seconds later, another stewardess appeared next to me, smiling warmly. Not her. "How can I help you, sir?"

Dammit.

I turned to Nikolas, searching for an excuse. "Do you want anything to drink?"

He gave me a bored nod, his gaze still focused on his book, "Yeah, sure," he said. "Scotch, neat."

The brunette noted it down before she looked at me, still smiling ever so sweetly, "Anything for you?" she asked, and I shook my head, dismissing her.

Nikolas gave me a puzzled look, considering I was the one who called for her in the first place. A few minutes passed and I kept shifting in my seat before I pressed the call button on the screen again, internally praying she would be the one to come by this time.

Nikolas's eyes flickered from his book, giving me a baffled look, trying to understand what I was doing. Yet another stewardess came next to me, and I wanted to curse my goddamned luck. "What can I help you with?" she asked, and the urge to pull out my knife and threaten everyone on board until I found that blonde girl became more insistent.

I tried to suck in a deep, calming breath, kicking my head out of the gutter, and fished for an excuse. "Can I have a pair of headphones?" I asked, and she nodded. "Yes, sure, just a second." She moved away only to return with the useless headphones. I discarded them away immediately, a loud breath pushing off my lungs as I kept looking around, all the while feeling Nikolas's eyes on me, trying to make sense of my sudden agitated state.

He let out a sigh after a couple of seconds. "Can you stop moving?"

I turned to him, my lips pressed into a thin line before I got up to my feet. "I'll be back," I mumbled as I walked down the aisle and headed for the lounge, hoping that I would find her there.

A few steps more, and the lounge area came into view. My pulse quickened. My eyes scanned around the entire space only to find it completely empty, devoid of any presence. Frustration mounted within me; I really hated not getting what I wanted.

The ache pressed harder and my jaw ticked. I leaned against the plane's inner wall, trying to steady my breathing. The heavy push and pull in my chest was due to my sickness this time, my failing lung, stripping all of my oxygen away.

Dizziness washed over me in crashing waves, and I pressed my hand against the nearest surface to stabilize myself. The sound of heels clicking against the floor snapped me out of my haze, my head instantly tilting up, my gaze zeroing in on the source.

I watched —her, as she walked down the little stairs leading from an upper compartment, her heels softly clicking against the aluminum surface. The air caught in my throat, my gaze flickering over her side profile as she descended, but she was oblivious to me still, unaware of the one other presence in this area.

The second her feet touched the last step, sudden turbulence rocked the airplane. Her eyes widened in surprise, a low yelp escaping her lips as she nearly tripped, her balance faltering. Instinct took over faster than the speed of light, and I rushed to her side.

My arm reached forward for her, wrapping around her waist, and instead of crashing down to the floor, she crashed harshly into my chest with a gasp. Her wide green eyes flickered up, meeting mine in a bewildered shocked stare. And up close, they were even more stunning, stripping my logic and better senses.

Like the deepest emeralds, they shimmered, as if they were a universe unto themselves, mesmerizing, and captivating.

I felt an inexplicable pull, a curiosity so intense it bordered on obsession.

The fuck is happening? I just met her five seconds ago.

"I'm so sorry, I—" she stammered, but her words died in her throat, dissolving into another gasp as the turbulence persisted, it felt as though the plane rocked and swayed.

Fear wove into her eyes, and her fingers clung to my arm in a desperate attempt, her nails digging into my skin, seeking balance amidst the chaos, the shakiness made me press my other hand over the stool's surface, balancing her and myself and I just...I just watched her. Every detail of her face stood out, so unique, something familiar but also like nothing I'd ever seen before; the delicate furrow of her brows, the slight flush on her cheeks, the way her lips, so full and plump, parted slightly in a mix of shock and panic.

The floor beneath our feet steadied, and it took her a second too long to grasp that fact. She abruptly pulled her hand from me before she edged backward, tearing herself away from my touch. A nervous smile touched her lips as she sought to get back her composure, "That was something alright," she remarked softly, her voice weaving a spell that stirred something utterly unfamiliar within me.

"A flight attendant who is scared of a little turbulence," I commented, my eyebrow raising in amusement.

A faint blush tinted her cheeks, "Yeah, who knew, huh," she said before she moved behind the bar, busying herself with unnecessary tasks, perhaps seeking to distract herself from the fact that she clung to me like she was clinging for dear life.

I settled down on the stool across. Now that I had her trapped, I wasn't planning to leave anytime soon. This two-hour flight is turning out to be more appealing than I anticipated. Her gaze flickered to me, her lips pulled up into a professional smile, "Can I get you something?"

I nodded, my voice suddenly lowering, my throat dry as my brain weaved very dangerous thoughts, "Water would be fine."

With ease, she poured the water and set it before me, her eyes flickering up to meet mine just as I asked, "You're not from around here?" My question was more of a statement, catching the subtle nuances of her American accent.

I picked up the glass, taking a slow sip as she shook her head, "Not really," she replied.

"What took you so far from home?" I asked.

She rested her hands on the table's edge, her gaze drifting into the distance before it refocused on me. "Needed a fresh new start," she said, a soft smile touching her lips, but I noticed the hint of melancholy dancing at the edges of her eyes.

"We all need that, from time to time," I stated as I rested the glass back down.

She nodded her head, agreeing, "Yeah, let's hope it works."

"Let me guess, a guy problem?" I asked, intruding and pushing the boundary slightly. Her eyebrow raised, "Well, Mr. Stranger, would you like to have something else with your water?" She asked, deflecting and trying to push me back to my limits, a subtle warning in her tone.

She has an attitude, I can see it; I'd gladly volunteer to fuck it out of her system though. There was an edge to her too, a glint, a spark in her eyes, it was devilish in a way, drawing me further into her web.

I was piqued. Interested. That rarely ever happens.

"I'm just trying to make a conversation over here," I said, my tone ever so casual as I ran my finger along the rim of the glass, "Flying makes me nervous," I lied, searching for any excuse to keep talking to her, "And isn't this part of your job description?" I added with a teasing lift of my eyebrows, "Customer satisfaction and all."

Her jaw tightened slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing her features, getting slightly ticked by me but she maintained her fake professional kindness. Leaning forward across the counter, she defiantly met my gaze, smiling, "And how exactly can I satisfy you, sir?" she asked, her attitude simmering beneath her polished exterior. It crept beneath my skin and my fingers tightened over the glass.

I leaned in as well, narrowing the space between us, breathing the same air, "The answer to that is infinite, princess," I whispered with a wink.

She couldn't help but roll her eyes, and ever so innocently, she licked her lips. Involuntarily, my gaze flickered to them, tracing the edges, their little curves in my mind. There is no way I am leaving this plane before tasting them.

"Can I kiss you?"

My direct words took her by surprise at first, her eyes widened but she regained her composure rather fast, "You're so full of yourself, aren't you," She remarked, her eyebrow raising at my audacity to ask.

"Yeah, very," I said, "So, can I?"

She chuckled lowly in disbelief, "I advise you to back off and get back to your seat," She said, wait no, she ordered, challenging me. Oh, the things I'll do to that mouth.

"And if I don't?"

"I'd throw that drink in your face," She threatened, flashing me another fake kind smile.

My lips twitched, "You'd be wise not to do that," I said, the threat in my voice as clear as day.

"And why so?"

"Because I'd get angry," I said, my eyes locking onto hers with a dangerous glint, "And I tend to do very bad things when I am angry. We don't want that now, do we?"

She chuckled and was the first to back away, creating distance as she stood behind the counter. "You're cute," she said, unaffected.

"And you're so adorable," I replied, my patience wearing thin. "Now, about that kiss?"

Her eyes shot back to mine, disbelief clouding them. Her little hands fisted on the side, her irritation hitting the roof, "Can you go back to your seat, please?" She grated out.

I shook my head, "I am not satisfied yet."

She circled around the counter, ready to be the one to escape, running away from me, "I'll show you satisfaction," she grumbled under her breath.

I got up to my feet, stepping to the right and blocking her way. She halted abruptly, her fiery eyes flickering up to meet mine. "Move," she demanded. She was really adorable, thinking she could order me around.

I gazed down at her, noticing the frustration of my persistence painting her neck a shade of red. Her eyes darkened slightly, furious yet with a hint of something else, something —sultry. God, I liked her angry. "I like your eyes," I said. They were so pretty, so full of fire.

Her eyebrows pulled closer, taken aback by my forwardness. "Do you just say what's on your mind?" she mumbled, unable to comprehend me and my brazen words.

"Yeah," I nodded, bringing my hand up to twirl a loosened lock of her hair around my finger. "I like your hair," I said softly, leaning in closer. She smelled so good, like jasmine, "Although it would look better with my fingers wrapped around it, tugging it back as I claim that bratty mouth of yours."

Her eyes widened, the red hue spreading across her face, coloring her white skin with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "What...what's your problem!" she shot out.

Her irritation doubled by the second, but her body language betrayed her. She was thinking about it too, I could see it flip in her gaze. The blush on her cheeks deepened, her chest heaving with every breath, drawing my attention to the curve of her breasts, peeking from beneath her uniform shirt.

"You crawled under my skin, for some reason," I answered her previous question, my jaw twitching, something building up within me, almost eluding my control, "I just want to brush you off, get you out of my head, that's all."

"By kissing me?" She said, her eyebrow raising at my logic.

I nodded, smiling, "Yeah, and maybe more if you let me."

"You're insufferable," she muttered with a shake of her head.

"And you," I said, my hand brushing against her arm, sensing the shiver rush beneath her skin and down her spine, "are irresistible."

My simple word seemed to hit something in her and she gazed up at me with an inexplainable look. Almost like no one ever told her that before. My eyebrow raised, "You want a fresh start, yeah?" I said, my tone light and playful, "You can start with me. I am a very very good way for you to start with."

Her lips twitched, amused, "And why is that?"

"I can erase him from your mind," I said, hinting at whoever he is, "Hundred percent guaranteed."

"I doubt that," She murmured.

"You won't know without trying," I said with a wink.

She seemed to be finally contemplating it. A couple seconds of silence slipped between us. Then, a small smile played over her lips, her gaze locked onto mine, trying to dig a bit deeper, and then she said, "One rule," She murmured, "No names will be exchanged."

I pouted playfully, teasingly. "But I was gonna make you scream my name," I countered, earning an eye roll from her in response.

She edged closer, her hand gripping my shirt firmly, tugging me down until our faces were inches apart, "Just shut up and kiss me," she demanded, her tone laced with a challenge that ignited a fire within me. Yeah, she was bratty, and damn if I wasn't falling for it.

She didn't need to ask me twice. In an instant, my lips descended into hers, colliding, and that mere touch unraveled the madness swirling in my mind. A groan rumbled from my chest. Her taste was intoxicating, her plump lips a revelation that spurred me forward, mixing with the darkness clamoring in my chest. I seized her hand, wrenching it from my shirt and pinning it above her head as I slammed her back against the wall.

My free hand traced up from her hip, exploring the delicate curve of her waist, brushing against the soft swell of her breasts. I could feel her nipples strained beneath the fabric, igniting a primal hunger within me. I couldn't help but imagine how they would feel against my tongue.

"You taste even better than I imagined," I murmured against her lips, my voice thick before my tongue slipped between her lips, parted them, seeking dominance and invaded her mouth. Conquered it. Like it was my god-given right, like her mouth was made only for me to annihilate.

She matched my speed and hunger, her mouth warm and welcoming and I wanted to take residence in it forever. My hand ventured upward, gliding over her collarbone before my fingers circled around her neck. The silkiness of her skin beneath my fingertips sent a shiver down my spine. It was soft, inviting, like velvet beneath my touch, fueling the fiery pull within me.

A soft, breathy moan escaped her lips, a sound that reverberated through the air and awoke the predator in me. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breasts pressing against mine in a tantalizing rhythm. A low whimper slipped from her throat when my grip tightened around her neck, my teeth grazing her lower lip in a primal tease. I was about to go mad. One kiss won't suffice.

I eased back slightly, my thumb tracing the sinful curve of her lower lip; the sinner in me ached and longed to brand them as mine, "Anyone up in the crew compartment?" I managed to ask, my voice thick, every word laden with urgency.

She shook her head, her eyes on my lips before they flickered back to my eyes, ready for everything I was willing to do.

"Good," I breathed, releasing her neck and wrist only to seize it again, pulling her urgently behind me. With quick strides, I ascended the stairs, swung open the door, and ushered her inside before locking it securely. Before she could draw her next breath, I pressed her against the door and reclaimed her lips again.

"How long..." I murmured, and kissed her in between, "...before someone," My hands gently cradled her face, my tongue tracing the seam of her lips with desperation, "...gets here?"

She responded to my assault with a fervor that matched my own, by wrapping her arms around my neck, her fingers tangling in the back of my hair, urging me closer. As I nibbled on her lower lip, she whimpered softly, "We have shifts," her voice a breathy whisper.

My hand traveled to her hair, removing her hat and tossing it aside before releasing her bun, allowing those soft locks to frame her pretty face. My lips left hers momentarily, trailing kisses along the curve of her jaw and down to the tender skin of her neck.

"How much time do we have?" I whispered against her neck, nibbling gently at the sensitive skin as my fingers dove into her hair, wrapping around the silken strands.

Her nails dug into the nape of my neck, "Five...maybe te...ten minutes," She breathed out.

I edged back to gaze at her, a mischievous smile curling up my lips, "We have to be so fast then," I said, her sultry eyes on me and she nodded her head, her breath hitching in anticipation.

The next task was getting rid of clothes, I discarded her blazer away in no time, my fingers deftly unbuttoned her shirt, my lips finding hers again hungrily, unable to quench my thirst for her. Sliding the shirt off her shoulders, I let it fall to the floor, my hands moving to unclasp her bra. As her breasts spilled free, I sucked in a sharp breath, a feral hunger taking hold of me as I drank in the sight of her, clad only in her skirt and heels.

She was a goddamned vision.

She wasted no time either, her fingers curling around the hem of my shirt, pulling it off over my head in between kisses. She allowed it to fall away before her eyes flickered over my chest and abdomen, freezing momentarily. Her hands stopped midway, the horror, widening her eyes but before she could speak, I pressed my fingers under her chin, lifting her head to meet my eyes. "My eyes are up here, princess," I teased softly.

"But—" Leaning closer, I swallowed the rest of her words into my mouth. I wasn't doing this for emotions and whatnot. I wanted to fuck her out of my system and get on with my day, that's all. Harshness began to hammer in my veins. Needing something, wanting a lot of things. To take, bend, twist, capture, hold, annihilate, and violate.

I silenced her thoughts with a hungry kiss, my hand sliding up her inner thigh, sneaking beneath her skirt and panties to find the softness beneath. My fingers trailed over her folds until they found her clit, where I began to circle in slow, methodical motions. Soft whimpers and pants escaped her lips, and a throaty groan escaped me as I felt her wetness, "Princess, you're so wet for me and I haven't even touched you yet."

Fuck, she was drenched, her arousal coating my fingers as I teased her. Every muscle in my body throbbed with desire, my cock straining against my pants, begging to be released and buried deep inside her warmth.

"I was wishing to have my sweet time with you," I whispered into the crook of her neck, biting down on her smooth skin, "You feel so fucking good," I groaned as I slid a finger into her tight warmth, feeling her arch against me, her nails scratching lightly at my back as she buried her face and kissed my neck, "Your skin is so soft, so smooth," I murmured, and I wanted to write pages and pages of poems to the satin texture of her skin, to immortalize the way she felt against me in ink and paper.

My fingers worked their magic between her legs, and she squirmed, tightening around me with palpable need. "Oh my god," she breathed into my neck, her voice a melody of pleasure. Adding a second finger, I withdrew slowly before plunging back inside her with agonizing slowness. My body hummed with the urge to thrust deeply into her, to hear her cries as she came undone beneath me, but I wanted to savor every moment, to draw this exquisite torture out for as long as I could. I never wanted it to end.

"Fuck, you are so tight, and it's only my fingers—" I groaned, moving my head down her collarbone and to her breasts. She let out a small whimper when I closed my mouth around her nipple, licking and sucking and she pulled my hair hard enough to hurt, "—what will you do when it's my cock pounding into you."

"Oh...god. Now, do it," she panted, bucked against my hand in search of more friction. "More. I need more."

I grazed my teeth over her nipples and soothed them with soft, leisurely licks, "More as in?"

"More," She whimpered, "We don't have time," She panted, her hands going to my chest, pushing me backward before she urgently unbuckled my pants and pulled them down along my boxer briefs, freeing my aching cock.

Heat raced down my spine and drummed in my pulse as I watched her watch me, her sultry eyes flickering all over my length with awe and desire, her bare chest heaving, rising up and down erratically. My kisses and nibbs had left red marks all over her neck and breasts. Fuck, she looked like a goddess. I was no religious man but I was ready to worship at her altar.

Her lips met mine again and I flattened my palms over the back of her thighs, carrying her up. She curled those beautiful legs around my waist, her heels still on, my hardness pressing into her and she threw her head back, a breath tripping out of her at the mere sensation.

I dropped her over the counter, and she fumbled with the drawer, opening it before she pulled an item out. My lips twitched when my eyes fell into the condom she held out for me. Her skin flushed more if possible, "Ahh, it's not...mine," She mumbled, trying to defend herself, "I mean, I never did this before."

My eyebrows pulled closer, "Never had sex?"

I took the condom from her, ripping the wrapper open with my teeth and she watched me intently as I rolled it on, licking her lips in anticipation.

Her gaze flickered from my needy boy up to my eyes, and she gave me an incredulous look, "Sex on an airplane, one night stands," She explained, "It's...not my thing."

I moved my hand over her waist, caressing her perfect skin, and the curves of her breasts, "What's your thing?" I asked, my voice soft, a contradiction to everything going on inside my head.

She shook her head, "Not important," She swallowed hard, her eyes flickering down my chest, taking into every detail before they met my eyes again, "Come on," She urged.

I smiled, "What do you want?"

Her jaw tightened, and she looked at me with fierce determination. "Your cock inside me, what else," she grumbled. God, I really wish I had more time with her.

I arched an eyebrow, teasing. "What do we say, princess?"

Her chest heaved, and she licked those full, tempting lips. Fuck, they would've looked exquisite choking on my cock. Too bad we don't have time.

"Please," She whispered, rubbing her legs closer, aching for a release like I was.

"That's a good girl," I whispered, edging closer, "Now, spread those legs for me."

Doing as she was told, she opened up for me, her skirt riding up and bunching around her waist. My hands gripped her thighs, parting her sweet folds, and I slid my cock against her soaking slit, up and down, in a torturous rhythm that tightened my stomach and heart, "What's your name?" I whispered tortuously.

Her eyelids fluttered shut, her lips parting with her soft breaths as I teased her entrance, "No names, remember," She panted, refusing even when she was at my mercy.

My jaw tightened, and without further introduction, I pushed and thrust it all the way inside her in one go, groaning at the sensation that shot all the way to my head, draining my fucking blood. The sudden motion rendered her frozen and a choked breath fell from her sweet lips and into mine as I claimed them again, kissing and biting, trying to memorize what she tasted like.

She tightened around my cock, strangling me for dear life. I gave her a second only to adjust, my harsh breathing matching her strained pants before I pulled back and pumped it into her again.

My fingers closed around her hair, fisting it at the base of her neck, tugging harshly and I thrust inside her again and again, filling her wet pussy until I was balls deep. With an arm around her perfect body, I pulled her hips up slightly, adjusting her so she could take all of me.

I pulled out and then pushed back inside and she cried into my shoulder with every move, with every thrust, her teeth biting into my skin.

I felt her pulse around me and my cock throbbed, "You're dripping for me and taking my cock so well, princess," I heaved the words out of my chest, my hand releasing her hair before it wrapped around her neck, tilting her head up, making her face me as I rammed into her, relentlessly.

Pleasure danced in her watery eyes as she watched me, "Your name," I insisted, my obsession amplifying. I needed to know.

She shook her head, "No."

My fingers tightened over her neck, choking her, it had her lips parting open, her nails scratching my shoulders as she tried to absorb all of me in, "Tell me," I urged, my voice strained.

She shook her head again, defiance and desire in her eyes, as I fastened my pace. I slammed into her with brutal, relentless thrusts, molding my body to hers as I continued to pound into her. Each thrust, each press of my fingers against her neck, pushed her closer to the edge of her release. My breathing quickened, my heart erratic and her breaths came in ragged gasps, her skin flushing with redness.

I could feel her tensing, her body trembling as she neared the brink. I didn't stop, the rhythm of our bodies matched my crazy heart. I released her neck, my arms wrapping around her back, holding her close as she shattered around me. Her orgasm hit her, the sound of her euphoric cry echoed in the small chamber, her body convulsing with the force of her release.

The sound of her pleasure reverberated within me, it was enough to push me over the edge. I felt myself coming apart at the seams, my release crashing over me with a force that left me breathless.

She clung to me as I held her so close, our bodies entwined, riding the wave of our shared climax.

I edged back a fraction, watching every detail of her pleasure play on her face and I was more than ready to take her again and again but the knock on the door startled us. Her eyes grew wide and she pushed away from me so fast, "Just a sec," She mumbled as she hastily picked up her clothes and started to wear them so fast, almost tripping down in her rush.

I sighed in defeat as I gathered my clothes as well and wore them up. When she was done and ready, she turned to look at me, her face flushed as she recalled what we just did. My lips twitched at her adorable face, at her swollen lips, and the red marks over her neck.

"You won't tell me your name," I pressed on again.

She swallowed hard and tried to smooth her hair, "No, but uh...thank you, I guess. That was—"

She was at a loss for words, so I resumed them for her, "Phenomenal? Record-breaking? Enough to make you forget him?" I teased with a playful wink.

Her face flushed again and she tried to push me out of the room, "Just leave, please," She mumbled, "I don't wanna lose my job."

I nodded my head, "As you wish, princess," I said, before I leaned down and softly pecked her cheek, "Check the back of the seat before you leave," I murmured against her skin.

I pulled back, her confused eyes stared up at me, and her brows pulled closer, "What?" She asked.

I only threw her a wink as my fingers curled over the knob and I stepped outside. I was met by one of the stewardesses. Confused and taken aback, her eyes flickered from me to the beautiful mess of a girl I left behind. I flashed her a smile, "You guys are the best airline ever," I said playfully before I descended down the stairs and left the longue area to return back to my seat.

Nikolas's eyes flickered over me as I walked closer and dropped to the seat next to him. His gaze flickered back to his book, "Where were you?" He asked, unbothered.

"In the bathroom," I said, going for the easiest lie as I leaned into my seat.

There was a short pause on his side. "There is lipstick on your neck, Nathan," he added, ever so casually, never once looking at me as he flipped the pages.

Feeling conscious, my hand went to my neck so fast and I wiped at it. Damn it.

I looked at Nikolas, and even though he didn't look at me, his lips twitched slightly as his eyes went through the lines he was reading.

Ignoring him, I reached for my bag and pulled out my notebook. "Where is my pen," I grumbled lowly, looking around for it. I turned to Nikolas. "Do you have a pen?" I asked.

He gave me a very bored look and shook his head.

I called the nearest flight attendant and asked for a pen. Words. They were racing in my head, and I needed to write them down. When she returned with the pen, I thanked her and clutched it in my fingers, backing into my seat as I scribbled on the empty page, filling it up.

I felt Nikolas's eyes on me for a moment too long. I paused my writing and looked at him, my brows pulling closer. "What?"

He let out a defeated sigh and shook his head in frustration, "I give up."

I smiled, "On what?"

"On trying to understand you."

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Aylin's POV

We checked the seats and cabinets after all the passengers had disembarked, ensuring nothing was left behind. The memories of what had happened not long ago were still vivid in my mind, making my skin flush and causing me to tighten my legs every now and then.

Thoughts rushed in full force, and his last words lingered in my head for a moment too long.

Check the back of the seat before you leave.

Wait, did he mean—?

I whirled on my heels and headed for his seat, the one I knew he was sitting in because I had kept peeking at him through the curtains. I reached the spot and felt a surge of anticipation as I looked inside the pocket at the back of the seat. My fingers brushed against something textured—a paper.

Heart pounding, I pulled it out. It was a folded piece of paper indeed.

My eyebrows pulled closer before I slowly unfolded it to reveal what was inside.

Words were scribbled neatly, lines and stanzas arranged below one another, forming a...poem, I supposed.

"At thirty thousand feet, I found her,

in the hush of the midnight flight,

Her eyes, a tempest of secrets,

her smile, a shadow of light.

I wrote poems inside her with my fingers,

tracing lines on her satin skin,

Each touch, a verse of longing,

each kiss, where our lust begins.

Our story began with her gasp,

a symphony in the silent skies,

Her nails etched desires deep,

marking passion where it lies.

In that dark, confined cabin,

we moved to a primal song,

Her body, a mystery unveiled,

her soul, where shadows belong.

She tasted of midnight and danger,

her whispers, a sultry spell,

We shared a darkness, a demon,

a thirst from a deeper well.

Her breath, a warm caress,

her touch, a burning fire,

Our souls entwined in ecstasy,

consumed by wild desire.

Yet, as dawn kissed the horizon,

her presence still lingers on,

Her essence, a sin on my lips,

a memory never gone.

I will find her, learn her name,

trace the paths where she roams,

Chase the shadows, seek her out,

and in her arms, reclaim my place.

In the echo of that one night,

she's the phantom I can't dismiss,

Our story, a poem unfinished,

her soul, forever on my lips."

My eyes grew wide as I read it over and over again. Holy hell, what did I get myself into?

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One more chapter to go :)

Which characters would you like to see more of? So I can add them to the last chapter.