"It has been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly's wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world."

***************

Nikolas's POV

Throughout this unfortunate day, my entire being has been consumed by thoughts of Emma and Lilly, though my heart weighed heavier for Emma. I witnessed the war raging within her, the storm clouds of despair casting shadows across her features. Yet, she remained resolute, standing strong amidst this turmoil, playing her role as the leader, unwilling to break down or reflect weakness among the big crowd.

Toward the end of the day, when it became too much for her to bear, I saw her step out of the crowd and head somewhere else, a solitary figure retreating down the dimly lit corridor. I felt an urgent compulsion to follow. Each step of hers and mine echoed into the silent hallway until she disappeared behind a closed door.

I paused to a stop there and with a hesitant hand, I rapped gently upon the wooden surface, whispering her name, "Emma."

Silence lingered in the wake of my voice, but I could feel her immense pain still, reverberating through the walls, hitting and pressing upon me like a weighty burden. I grasped the cool metal handle and turned it, intruding into her moment. In the mirror's reflection, her sorrowful eyes met mine, tear-stained cheeks betraying the facade of composure she struggled to maintain.

"Emma," I murmured again, stepping into the room and sealing us within its confines.

She shook her head. Her voice, rough with unshed tears, sliced through the silence like a jagged blade, "Nikolas, not now. Please."

I shook my head, the sorrow etched deep into the furrows of my brow. I closed the distance between us. At this moment, all of our previous differences in opinion dissipated, leaving only the raw intensity of her anguish. No longer able to uphold the facade of strength, she averted her gaze away from me, her fingers on the side twitching and trembling as she clenched her fists.

My hand rested over her face, tipping her head up, forcing her to face this and me. My chest constricted at the possible pain she must be experiencing and my arms reached for her frail body when I felt her flailing within. I wrapped her tight in my embrace and she fell into my chest with a low sob, her fingers tightly clutching into my shirt, holding onto something as everything around her felt like it was falling apart.

"He is gone, Nik," She mumbled, crying into my chest, "And it's all my...my fault."

I shook my head, tightening my grip around her, "No, Emma, no, it's not—"

"It is, it is," She mumbled, "I failed him. I made a lapse in my judgment. I gave the wrong order. I...it's me, it's all on me. I failed; as a leader and as a...a mother—"

I edged back just slightly, my hands curling over her arms, holding her as my gaze flickered all over her face, "It's not your fault, Emma, you didn't do this," I said and she shook her head, refusing to believe anything but this. Tears traced rivulets down her cheeks, each droplet a testament to the burden of guilt she carried, clinging to it as if it were her only anchor amidst the tumult of loss.

I didn't know what to say next. I couldn't deny the truth that lay heavy upon my conscience. Truth is, it was our fault. All of us. My fault. Nathan's fault.

It was a collective failure; a cascade of decisions and actions that inevitably led to this tragic outcome.

I decided to keep Nathan alive. Nathan decided to threaten Lilly's life. Lilly decided to stay and search for Chase. Emma decided to haunt and eliminate any threat. Noah decided to protect Lilly...Each decision, each action, a butterfly's wingbeat setting in motion a chain of events that culminated in heartbreak and despair.

After Emma composed herself and returned to the crowd, assuming the facade of unwavering strength and undefeated, I seized the opportunity to slip outside the church, scanning the surroundings in search of Lilly. My pace slowed as my gaze landed on Alex and Cara, standing a short distance away from the church.

The sound of my footsteps drew Alex's attention, his eyes meeting mine briefly before his expression hardened, a silent testament to lingering anger from our previous encounter. He turned away, not the least interested to talk or hear me out. To be honest, I can entirely blame him. I've been making all the wrong decisions lately, but that doesn't mean I am going to stop.

Exhaling a low breath, I resumed my search, coming to a stop by the cemetery gate, from where Lilly emerged, accompanied by Chase, his arm around her back and he was saying something. Her tear-stained eyes were focused on him only and for a fleeting moment, her lips twitched slightly, forming a ghost of a smile.

Her gaze shifted away from Chase and fixed ahead, taking notice of my presence as they halted by my side. I moved closer, consumed by worry ever since she had called me in tears. We haven't gotten the chance to speak yet. Her broken eyes met mine, the redness surrounding them spoke volumes, a testament to the countless tears she had shed. Her lashes glistened with moisture, her pallor betraying a fragility that tugged at my heartstrings in ways I didn't like.

I rested my hand gently on her arm and whispered, "You okay?"

She responded with a small shrug, her vulnerability tugging at my overprotective instincts for her.

I longed to envelop her in a comforting embrace, to shield her from the world's cruelties, but my attention was drawn to his fucking hand firmly clasped around her waist, keeping her tucked and close to him. My jaw worked and my hard gaze flickered to him. Unfazed, he gave me a neutral look in return. You know what, I am never going to like him.

His focus returned to Lilly, "Let's go," he said, preparing to move forward, but I instinctively reached out, my hand pressing against his chest, halting him, my frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"Nikolas," Lilly's soft voice broke through the tension, her hand reaching out and gently encircling my wrist, silently urging me to let go of him.

I shot him a piercing glare before redirecting my attention to Lilly in an attempt to cool down. Just as she began to withdraw her hand from mine, something caught my eye, and I quickly grasped her hand, inspecting it closely, "Is this blood?" I shot out, bewildered as I scanned for any sign of injury.

She withdrew her hand abruptly, wiping it harshly against the side of her coat. "It's nothing," she dismissed it curtly, before pushing her hand into her pocket, shielding it away from me.

"Lilly—" I began, but she cut me off.

"We should go, Mom and Dad are waiting for us," she interjected, her tone final as she took Chase's hand and led him away, leaving me standing there, unsettled.

My gaze lingered on their retreating figures before shifting back to the cemetery gate, a sense of unease settling over me. Despite the urge to follow them back to the church, an instinct, a sixth sense, propelled me forward. I stepped into the cemetery, scanning my surroundings, searching for something unknown.

As I approached Noah's grave, a faint noise reached my ears, akin to a suppressed groan of pain. My senses instantly heightened, and I instinctively reached for my gun, cautiously advancing toward the source of the sound. There, amidst the damp grass, I spotted a figure hunched over, his back against the headstone, one hand tightly clasping his stomach while blood furiously seeped through his fingers.

Shock washed over me as I recognized the wounded form, "Nathan," I whispered out, my voice betraying disbelief as I hastily tucked the gun in my waistband and hurried to his side, crouching down beside him, my gaze taking in the extent of his injuries, "What the—"

His eyelids fluttered open, his features contorted in raw pain, yet a faint smile lifted one side of his face, "I never thought I'd say this, but..." He grimaced, attempting to shift his body forward, "...it's so good to see you."

I reached for him, my hand moving his away to check the deepness of his injury, "How...what happened?"

"Your adopted daughter happened,"  he grumbled through clenched teeth, his irritation evident, though quickly eclipsed by waves of pain that contorted his features as he leaned back against the cold stone, attempting to gather what little strength remained.

My eyebrows pulled closer and nothing made sense anymore, "Lilly?" I asked incredulously, "Lilly did this?"

He confirmed with a nod, his voice strained. "I'm just as surprised as you," he muttered, the pain tightening its grip on him, another groan escaping as he futilely attempted to rise, only to falter, "A little aggressive thing she is, isn't she?" He mumbled under his breath.

Drawing a ragged breath, he met my gaze with a hazy stare, "I don't feel so good," he murmured, squinting as he struggled to focus, a somber smile tugging at his lips, he raised two fingers, "Seeing... two of you right now."

My jaw ticked and my hand curled over his arm, I wrapped my arm around his back, attempting to lift him. His fingers reached for me, his grip tightened on my jacket, clinging to me for support as he teetered on the edge of collapse.

He almost lost his balance again but I caught him, "Just hold onto me," I said, my jaw ticking under the aggression of everything unraveling.

Nathan lifted his head and looked at me, a lazy smile gracing his lips, "Just like the old days, huh?" he remarked, earning a sharp glare from me.

"How about you save the nostalgia and let me get you out of here," I grumbled, my frustration palpable, "Because believe me, a big part of me just wants to leave you here to bleed out."

"What's stopping you then?" he retorted, leaning on me for support as we began to move.

I pulled my phone from my pocket, dialing Ronald and holding it to my ear, my focus still on Nathan as I answered, "I won't let Lilly become a killer," I gritted out, to which he offered a nod of understanding, "Seems reasonable," he mumbled with a shrug.

Ronald answered the call but before he could speak, I cut in with urgency, "Where are you?"

"At the church, why—"

"Get the car to the cemetery's gate, be quick," I ordered, leaving him no space to question as I hung up and pushed the phone into my pocket, using both hands to assist Nathan in moving forward.

"Why are you even here?" I grated out, unable to understand this kid or any of his recent actions.

"I liked Noah," He answered, ever so genuinely, "I only wanted to say goodbye," He added, "Didn't expect I'd join him on the other side though..."

A heavy sigh escaped me as I struggled to wrap my head around the absurdity of the situation. Lilly and what she attempted to do... I couldn't fathom it. I never thought she'd be capable of inflicting such harm on anyone.

As we reached the gate, Ronald hurried down from the car, his expression shifting from confusion to shock as he took in the sight before him, "What the hell happened?" he exclaimed, in bewilderment.

"Open the door," I instructed, moving closer. He complied, allowing me to push Nathan's weakened form into the backseat. Nathan winced as he settled in, whining, "Can't you be a bit more gentle?"

"Let's go," I urged Ronald, and we both climbed into the car. Ronald wasted no time in pulling away, the urgency of the situation pressing over his anxious nerves.

"Who did this?" Ronald inquired, his eyes fixed on the rearview mirror, assessing Nathan's state.

I turned my head around to look at Nathan, "Not important," I brushed off Ronald's question,  and Nathan's lips curled into a small smile, understanding my silent message to keep his fucking mouth shut about this.

He nodded, "Yeah, just...some guy," Nathan answered, his eyes on me as he spoke and he gave me a wink, "I didn't recognize him."

Ronald sped up, he made a sharp turn and Nathan winced, his hand instinctively pressing against his bleeding wound. His gaze shifted from his injury to us, a hint of confusion knitting his brows together. "So, are we like on the same team now?" he asked, seeking clarity amidst this neverending chaos.

"No," Ronald and I responded in unison.

Nathan's confusion deepened, his eyes lingering on me specifically, "But...you're helping me?"

"Unfortunately," I grumbled, frustration tainting my words as I wrestled with the complexities of this situation.

"We are just trying to keep you alive," Ronald grumbled, his hands tightening over the steering wheel, way too annoyed by this turn of events as well.

"For now," Nathan answered; for someone injured and in pain, he really doesn't know how or when to fucking shut up, doesn't he?

Ronald's eyes briefly flickered to his brother, reading in between the lines. His knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip on the wheel, redirecting his focus to the road ahead, and effectively ending the conversation there.

Turning my gaze to Nathan one last time, I observed as he stared ahead at his brother, the pain etched across his face extending beyond the physical. His gaze then shifted downwards to his blood-stained fingers.

For the second time, I noticed it; a flicker of humanity attempting to surface and creep out to consume him.

However, he swiftly clenched his fist, shutting his eyes tightly as if trying to suppress the unwanted emotions threatening to overwhelm him. When he reopened his eyes, he averted his gaze to the window, his expression blank. For the umpteenth time, it felt like I was looking into a mirror, one connected to my fucked-up past, and that made everything a hundredfold worse.

*****************

Lilly's POV

My footsteps faltered momentarily by the door, my hands resting on the frame as I peered inside the room. Emma sat on the edge of the bed beside Wyatt, who lay almost motionless, his palm resting underneath his cheek, his gaze fixed into the void, onto some unseen horizon.

Emma's gentle touch caressed his cheek, her fingers trailing through his hair as she leaned in, her expression a mixture of concern and profound anguish, "Baby, you need to eat something," she murmured softly, her words a plea for him to acknowledge her, to respond.

Yet, Wyatt remained immobile, his gaze unyielding, his refusal palpable even without uttering a single word.

"You didn't come to the funeral," Emma whispered, her voice laced with a heartbreaking mixture of desperation and agony.

"Wyatt, please, just say something," she implored, her voice quivering with emotion, her other grip on the sheets tightening as she struggled to maintain her facade of strength after a long day of bearing its weight.

Finally, he responded, his gaze flickering to her, his eyes blank, still clouded by shock or perhaps denial, "I didn't see him," He mumbled, "Before...before he died, I didn't see him."

My eyes squeezed shut, my grip on the door frame tightening, his words slicing through the air, stark reminders of the harsh reality we faced; The bitter fact that he will never see him again either.

"But he called, every day, he called me," Wyatt added, "He always checked up on me," He mumbled, lines of anguish etching between his eyebrows, each word feeding the heartbreak on Emma's face, "He was the first one I called whenever anything happened; if I ever needed anything, he was always...always the one there."

His blank gaze dissolved as tears welled up in his eyes "And now he is gone and I..." He shook his head, his voice faltered as tears spilled over, cascading down his cheeks, "And I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye."

Emma reached out, enveloping him in her embrace, and he collapsed into her arms, seeking solace in her embrace as if he had been yearning for it all along. He buried his face in her chest, "It's not fair, Mom," He cried out, "It's not fair at all," He added and she cradled the back of his head, her chin pressing into the top of his head, her eyes pressing shut and similar tears stained her cheeks and she shook her head, whispering, "No baby, it's not."

Feeling the moisture on my cheeks, I recoiled, a surge of emotion threatening to overwhelm me again. I turned away, hastily making my way back to the room where I had been staying. With trembling hands, I wiped at my face, trying to regain control as I fought back tears.

Entering the room, I shut the door behind me, the weight of grief and frustration pressing down upon me. An internal scream clawed at my throat, desperate to break free and echo through the entire house.

Determined to shake off the remnants of the day's turmoil, I made my way into the bathroom, shedding my clothes as I headed for the shower cabinet. Stepping into the warmth of the bath, I allowed the hot water to envelop me, scrapping off me everything I didn't want to feel or experience.

I washed my hands vigorously, the continuous friction of my palms against each other causing them to chafe until the skin of their tips became raw and sensitive.

After too long, deciding it was enough, I stepped out of the shower, wrapping myself in a towel before reaching for the pajamas Mom had packed for me. Quickly drying myself off, I changed into this comfortable attire. I picked up the brush and I sat down on the bed's edge, energyless and mentally exhausted.

A low breath escaped my lips and I rested the brush away before I ran a hand over my face, momentarily halting the onslaught of dark thoughts. The sound of a low knock on my door drew my attention, prompting me to push my feet into slippers and rise up.

Carefully and slowly, I twisted the knob, opening the door with cautious anticipation. My heart rate eased as my eyes fell upon Chase standing before me. I widened the door to allow him entry, my gaze briefly scanning the empty, dimly lit hallway before I backed away and closed the door behind him.

"Hey," I mumbled softly as I turned to face Chase.

He, like me, appeared to have taken a shower and changed into more comfortable attire. Closing the distance between us, he replied, "Hey."

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I shrugged, "Define okay," I said, losing a sense of whatever meaning that word held.

He brought his hand up, his finger gently brushing the wet strand of my hair away from my face, "I thought you were leaving tonight with your parents," I mumbled.

He shook his head, "I couldn't leave...I couldn't leave you," He whispered, lines etching between his eyebrows, his head tilting slightly as he gazed at me, like he was so scared I might just disappear, "It felt like if I went, that I'd...never see you again," He added, speaking out his inner turmoil.

The heartbreak etched into his features mirrored my own turmoil, and he seemed to sense it. His touch faltered, his hand slipping away from my face as his throat tightened with emotion, "But I'll leave if you want me to," he offered quietly, his voice laden with uncertainty.

Without hesitation, I shook my head, the words escaping in a whisper, "No." My hand instinctively reached out, grasping into his sleeve, "Stay."

It was maddening, these conflicting desires raging within me. Despite my intent to maintain distance from him, I couldn't deny the overwhelming need for his presence, the peace I found in his arms. Yet, after today, I will remain steadfast in my determination to forge my path, to confront my demons, and to grow beyond them, all on my own.

Chase enveloped me in a comforting embrace, I leaned into him as he guided me back to the bed. As we settled, his gaze drifted to the nearby brush I discarded there, and he reached for it. He edged closer to me, his touch tender as he began to brush my hair.

His gesture was simple but somehow so intimate as he carefully tended to me. I was consumed by a flood of emotions; love, affection, and longing intertwined within me, weaving a tapestry of intensity that overwhelmed me. With each gentle stroke of the brush, with every breath he inhaled, with every heartbeat, I was just falling deeper and deeper for this man.

I watched him, captivated by his tenderness, by the unwavering support he offered. In his presence, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. His eyes fell into mine and it was involuntarily, the way my lips curved up just enough to form a somber smile. His lips lifted just enough to mirror my smile.

When he was done, he rested the brush away, "Come here," He urged and I moved forward, allowing his warm embrace to envelop my shattered self and piece it back together.

My temple pressed into his chest and my eyelids dropped down as I listened to the soothing rhythm of his heartbeats. The reality of death threatened my sanity once again, it showed me how easily, how fast someone's heart could just...stop beating. Oh god, what would I do if that happened to him?

A surge of pain gripped my chest, a sharp prickling sensation beneath the surface of my skin. My fingers curled tightly around his shirt, anchoring him to me, clutching into him and keeping him here, with me, chest moving, breathing, heart beating, and all.

His warmth, his tender hand rubbing up and down my arm, his fingers running and weaving through my hair, all were soothing enough and I almost relaxed, almost fell asleep but my little moment of peace evaporated soon enough, the tranquility short-lived.

Another heightened sense of mine skyrocketed when I heard low noises from outside the room. My head shot up from Chase's chest, my gaze drifting to the door, trying to understand if I really heard something or if it was just my paranoia taking the best of me.

"Lilly?" Confused, Chase tried to call out for me.

I didn't turn to him, my gaze focused on the door, my anxious nerves cooking up the worst scenarios, "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"That," I whispered, trying to focus all of my senses there.

"Lilly, wh—" Chase's voice died when I jumped to my feet, the footsteps were getting so close I was too sure they were coming for me. Panic surged through my chest and my hand quickly reached for under my pillow, picking up the gun I hid there. I instantly pointed it at the door just as the knob twisted, my finger hovering over the trigger, ready to fire just as the door slid open.

I froze when my eyes met a set of green ones. He froze as well, his gaze, first confused and taken aback, flickered from my face down to the gun in my hand, the one pointed at him. Lines etched into his forehead and when his eyes met mine again, his gaze hardened and his jaw worked, tightening in something resembling anger.

I felt Chase's warm hand wrap around mine, "Let's just put this thing down," he whispered as he ever so carefully lowered my gun-wielding hand, attempting to take the weapon from me; almost like he was trying to take a candy from a kid.

I snapped my head to him immediately. The confusion radiated off his being in waves and I sensed the palpable tension; how his eyes flickered to the pillow and then back to the gun, trying to comprehend why and how I had it hidden there.

Nikolas's gaze hardened, "We need to talk," He said, taking a step inside, his eyes going to Chase and he strictly added, "Alone."

His expression alone told me that he knew, he knew what I did earlier today. It didn't matter though. It's not like I was going to hide it from them. I didn't care. I did what was supposed to be done a long time ago. I turned to Chase and nodded my head, "Can you give us a minute?" I softly whispered.

He gave me a hesitant nod, his gaze flickering to the gun he took from me. His jaw worked before he dropped it over the nightstand. He gave us the privacy I asked for, his eyes on Nikolas, a final warning in them before he exited. Nikolas shot Chase's back a hard glare before he closed the door, ensuring no one else was going to hear us and he stepped further into the room.

I crossed my arms over my chest, looking at him and waiting for the inevitable, "So?"

"So?" He mimicked my words, his eyebrow arching and he crossed his arms over his chest as well.

"Are you going to scold me? Threaten to tell Dad about it? Warn me not to do it again?" I questioned, "Which one is it going to be?"

Amusement flickered in his eyes, his lips twitched slightly as he looked away, composing himself before he faced me again, "Not even going to deny it?"

I shook my head, "No, would've not done it in the first place if I was going to deny it afterward, would I?"

Speechless, he stared back at me, his gaze flickering all over my face, in search of something.

"You seem shocked," I mumbled, swallowing past the rock lodging in my throat.

He nodded, "I am shocked," He stated, taking another step forward, "And I am not going to deny it, a little bit proud too."

My eyebrows pulled closer, I uncrossed my arms and allowed them to fall, not expecting that reaction from him.

"But Lilly," He shook his head, "You cannot do something like that again."

"Why not," I mumbled.

His eyebrow arched, "Do you want to become a murderer?"

I shrugged, "Everyone around here does it," I stated the obvious, "Why should the exception be me?"

"That's only your grief speaking, and I get it, but you can't do it again," He spoke, pausing only when he was so close, close enough to read every little detail on my face, close enough for me to see the blood on his clothes.

My jaw tightened, my lower lip quivered in rage and I looked up at his face, "You helped him, didn't you?"

So, it was right, what I heard Emma and Dad talk about before. He is helping Nathan.

"I did," He didn't even shy away from admitting it.

My fingers curled and clenched into fists at my side. The anger rushed within my veins, it painted my neck and skin crimson red, "You should've left him there to d—"

"To die?" He continued the words on my behalf and I nodded, "Yes," I said harshly.

"And you think you would've been able to live with yourself afterward?"

I nodded, "I would've handled it, don't worry about me," I responded through grated teeth, shaking my head in disbelief, "But Nathan shouldn't stay alive, not after all that he did!"

"I get it and you are right," He said, "But one, I will not let you do this to yourself, Lilly," He said, and his next words drove me to the edge of insanity, "And two, I am not going to let anyone do that to him."

My eyes widened, bewildered at his words and actions, "How could you protect him?" I shot out, "He hurt your son for god's sake!" I grated out, "He hurt my brother!" My words served their purpose, and they fed the anger lurking somewhere in the back of his eyes but he purposely fought against it; why?

Frustration seeped into my blood, "Noah is dead!" I shot out, "So should he," I shook my head, "It won't be fair otherwise."

He shook his head, "I don't expect you to understand this, Lilly—"

"Of course, I don't!"

Tears crossed the threshold and fell down, blurring my vision and my logic. The rage blinded me, it pushed me forward, my fingers curling over the lapels of his jacket, "How could you protect him after everything?!" The words scraped out of my throat and hit the four walls, scattering down in agony.

Nikolas's hands gently reached for me, wrapping them around my arms, "It's because I was him, Lilly," He answered, his admission tearing slowly at his being.

He shook his head, "At that age, if I had someone who was willing to take my hand and pull me back from the edge, I would've not done all that I did after," He explained his motive, his reason, "So, I can't...I just can't let the past repeat itself."

"Even when I should be the one driving a knife through his heart myself, I won't, I shouldn't, I can't," He added, the conflicting war raging within him as hard as it can get, "And I am not going to let anyone else hurt him," He shook his head, "I won't let him win again." And by him, he didn't mean Nathan this time. I think I understood to whom he was referring; someone bigger, stronger, older, and long dead.

Sniffling, I let go of him, dropping my hands down, the tears staining my cheeks and I shook my head, "And Noah?" I whispered, "What was his fault?"

"He deserved to live, he deserved to be protected too," I mumbled, my heart breaking all over again, "He deserved better from this family. He lived in this family and died for and because of this family..." The pain seemed like it was never going to disappear, that it would always hang into my heart, till the day I would die too, "So, what was his fault?"

I brought my hands to my face and wiped at the unstoppable tears, "Or to all of you Noah is just collateral damage?"

Nikolas shook his head, "No, Lilly, it's not like that, it never was," He whispered, "We all failed Noah, I won't deny that," He added, the sorrow twisting his expression, "He had no fault...no fault at all to have gone through this," He answered my previous question, "And he deserved better from us."

I smiled, "A bit too late for that, isn't it?"

He nodded, "It is, but what else can I possibly do?"

I shook my head, "Nothing. Because don't you see it?" I whispered, "People always pay the price because of us, always," I added, my tears silently falling, I had no ounce of energy left in me to fight or scream, "We...we are not the good guys in this story, we are not," I explained it the way I saw it, the way it is, "Just because...just because you're dad's brother and he loved you, and he fought for you, like you are now fighting for Nathan, just because of that, how many people got hurt on the way? How many people died? How many got their lives shattered because of us?"

"Christian was just collateral damage to you, and now Noah is the same," I added, my throat burning because it was so unfair, "But Nathan," My eyebrow raised, "Nathan is blood, he is your wife's brother, in a way he is your brother too, he is part of the family, so he can fuck up as much as he wants but still deserves to be fought for, right?"

He stood silent as he assessed my words because deep down he knew I was right. He knew that we were the villains in other people's stories.

"You don't want the past to repeat itself again?" I recalled his previous words, seeing it from a whole different perspective, "Then, you kill Nathan this time, that's the only way."

******************

Next Day...

"You know, I could stay here with you too," Mom said, her hands engulfing mine tightly as she tenderly gazed at me.

I shook my head, "No, Mom, I know that you don't like it here," I added, my lips lifting up slightly before I edged closer and wrapped my arms around her, "I will come back in a week or so," I mumbled into her embrace and she wrapped her arms tightly around me.

They were going back to the States today, but I decided to stay for a couple more days. I needed to be here now. I haven't gotten the chance to see Emma or talk with her yet since everything unraveled. It felt like, regarding this, she and I share something in common. She is the only one who can tell me more about him. She is my only connection to him now.

I edged back slightly, looking at Mom, and she cupped my face, "I will be okay, I promise," I assured her, "I won't do anything, I will be safe," I assured her, trying to ease the worry eating up at her features.

She nodded, "I know," She whispered, inching closer and pecking my cheek, kissing my temple and giving my body one last squeeze before she let go.

I gave Max a tight hug, "Take care, okay," I whispered to him, "Call me if you need anything," He urged and I gave him a small smile, nodding my head before I stepped back.

My gaze drifted to Dad, he was busy talking with Uncle Roman about something, and when they were done, I seized the moment and edged closer, pausing right ahead of him. His eyes met mine and everywhere just starting to hurt again, "I will just—" The words stuck into my throat when he reached forward and pulled me into his embrace, hugging me so tight, to the point that it felt like he would never let me go.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I pressed them shut, wrapping my arms around him as well, sinking into his beautiful embrace, the one that still made me feel all the same after these years; warm and safe.

"I love you so much, little bug," He whispered lowly before I felt him kiss my head.

Maybe we will never talk about what happened that night, about our fight, our hurtful words and actions and to be honest, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that he is here. He is breathing and alive. Everything else seems insignificant now.

"I love you too, Dad," I mumbled into his chest, my tears soaking his shirt.

I sniffled, trying to get a grip as I edged backward. I brought my hand up and wiped at my cheeks, he brushed his thumb under my eyes, kicking them away too, "If anything happens, anything at all, just call me, I will be here before you know it," He said and I knew he would do just that.

My lips lifted up and I nodded, "I know."

"Don't worry," I mumbled, "I won't do anything stupid."

I wanted my words to come out playful but they didn't. Dad's fingers brushed my cheek again and he spoke, only for me to hear, "When all of this calms down a bit, when you come back home, we need to talk, Lilly."

Turns out, we will have to talk about it after all.

I nodded my head, "Okay."

******************

After bidding them goodbye, I lingered by the mansion's main gate, the weight of the moment pressing heavily upon me. Chase's gaze met mine, and inexplicably, my heart constricted with an unsettling sensation, as if this goodbye in exact carried a finality I couldn't bear to acknowledge. But I refused to accept it, not this time, not like this.

Last night, after my encounter with Nikolas, I sought refuge in Chase's room, finding comfort in his embrace as we slept side by side.

He wanted to stay here with me.

I declined.

I have to be strong enough to put this distance between us. Temporarily only.

As he reached forward, his hand enveloping mine, his voice barely above a whisper, "Take care, okay?" he murmured, reluctance evident in his hesitation to part ways.

I nodded, "You too," I said, "Look after my plants, okay? They better be alive still when I get back," No matter how hard I tried to make my tone playful or to crack a joke, I failed, unable to wear that mask. Not yet at least. It's still too early.

Chase understood my attempt and he nodded, a faint smile pulling up his lips, "Me and the plants will be waiting for you, Lilly," He whispered, an underlying meaning behind his words.

I nodded my head, "It won't be long, I promise."

He gave me a nod. "I have something for you," He said, pushing his hand into his pocket and taking something out. My eyebrows pulled closer, confused as he gently took my hand in his and rested the soft silky material in my palm.

My gaze fell into the blue ribbon and my eyes widened, my eyes instantly shot up to his face, taken aback, because...it was the same one. I am sure. I know it. I know it so well.

"But...I...I lost it," I whispered, curling my fingers over it and bringing my hand closer to my chest. I lost it that day when we were attacked at Christian's cabin. I lost it...how?

Chase smiled, "You always lose it, but I always find it somehow," He answered, his gaze softening as he seemed to be recalling a very very distant memory.

I stared at the ribbon clutched tightly in my palm, feeling a surge of overwhelming emotions twist and churn within me. The desire to cry and sob threatened to consume me, but I fought to maintain my composure, clinging desperately to the fraying edges of control. Emotions, powerful and relentless, clawed at the walls of my heart, and I pushed myself forward, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck.

"How did you find it?" I mumbled into his shoulder.

He enveloped my lost self within his embrace, "How about I tell you about it later?" He asked, because he was hoping for this later to come so soon.

I nodded my head and I edged backward, a promise in my words, "Okay, deal."

He brought his hand up, and he hooked his fingers under my chin, angling my face up just enough so he could fully see me. His eyes roamed my face, like he was memorizing the moment, memorizing every little detail about me, the good and the bad, everything, almost like he was never ready to let go.

"We are gonna work, Lilly," His words were of assurance, that the past cannot and won't be repeated again.

I nodded my head, "We will," I said back, my fingers tightening over the ribbon in my hand and my lips forming a small smile, "Because no matter how many times your little ribbon gets lost, you always find her."

He mirrored my smile, "Always will," he echoed softly.

A droplet of rain landed on my cheek, followed by another, the steady rhythm of the downpour matching the storm of emotions swirling within us.

Chase's gentle touch brushed against my skin, tracing the path of a raindrop down to my lips. Our eyes locked, the intensity of his gaze piercing through the haze of rain and emotion.

"I love you so much, Lilly," he confessed in a whisper, his words imbued with a depth of feeling that resonated within me, "Don't ever forget that."

God, I was trembling inside. His words pushed and pulsed in my heart, in my blood and veins. I couldn't stop needing him, wanting him, because he was my beginning and my end. My everything.

He didn't wait for my words. His fingers slid into my hair. He tugged my head back. And sealed his mouth over mine.

I didn't know what happened or how it happened. All I felt were my hands fisting his shirt, my tongue tangling with his, and my world blurred into a haze of heat and sensation, and heartbreak. His grip was tight on my waist. His body covered and consumed mine as he kissed me with toe-curling intensity; like it was our first and last kiss.

"You have no idea what you do to me, Lilly," His stubble scratched against soft skin; his breath skated across my cheek, sending shivers down my spine.

I shook my head slightly, my fingers tightening their grip on the back of his hair. "You don't know what you do to me either," I whispered back, my lips brushing against his own, the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me causing my world to simultaneously unravel and rebuild in mere seconds.

Chase's touch was gentle yet possessive as he cupped my face in his hand, "I would destroy the whole world if it dares to hurt you again," his words were laced with fierce protectiveness, a reflection of our shared fear that this cruel world might once again tear us apart.

But it won't.

It can't.

We won't allow it.

With unwavering determination, I edged closer to him, the rain cascading down around us, a fitting backdrop to the chaos brewing around us. In this tainted land, amidst all the heartbreak and pain, I pressed my lips to his once more, sealing our goodbye with a promise to weather whatever storms may come our way.

*****************

After Chase left, I returned indoors, hoping to find Emma, only to discover that she had ventured outside. Left with little else to occupy my time, I sought out Uncle Roman, requesting the address of the cemetery. With the necessary location in mind, I quickly adorned my coat, pulled on my hat, and got back outside into the open chilly air.

I asked one of the available drivers to take me to my destination and they instantly obliged. The drive passed quickly and before long, I found myself once again at the familiar gates.

Exiting the car, I made my way inside the gate, through the somber rows of graves and headstones, guided by a sense of purpose until I reached my intended destination.

As my eyes traced the name engraved upon the headstone, a sense of unease settled over me.

It's not every day you see a similar name to yours etched on a grave.

"So, we finally meet, "I murmured softly, lowering myself to crouch beside the grave.

My hand reached forward and retraced the letters over the very cold concrete, the ones that spelled out; Leya Viarchi.

***********************************

Hey!

So, I am kinda back from my writing break. But, my schedule is still pretty hectic so I am not sure how my updating routine will be.

I will try to update whenever I can. Thanks for sticking by :)

Don't forget to vote and comment.
Bye.