Sky's P.O.V.

"Fine, I'll stay with you at your apartment as a friend. I won't cross any boundaries, I promise. But I need to be there for you. You've been through so much, and I can't let you face it alone, Trouble. Please let me stay with you."

I'm certain we can't return to being just friends when I know how her lips taste, how tight she feels when I'm inside her, and how it feels to lie naked, holding her in my arms. But if being friends is the only way I can stay close to her right now, then I'll take it. I can't stand the thought of her being alone after everything she's been through. The nightmares, the fear—she shouldn't have to face that on her own.

I also know that with time, she'll accept our relationship. Until then, I'll help her overcome her deep-rooted fear of losing the people who come close to her.

"Okay, you can stay at my apartment." As she agrees, I sigh in relief, closing my eyes. "But only for a week."

I just nod at her in response, glad that at least she's letting me stay with her for a week. For now, that's enough for me.

"Let's go inside. I have to pack a few things."

As I step out of the car, I circle around to her side and open the door. Without a word, I lean down and scoop her up into my arms because her feet are still raw and tender from the burns.

She feels so much lighter than before, and it hurts me to realise just how much weight she's lost. The thought of her suffering, starving and being tortured while I was desperately searching for her wrench my heart.

She rests her head on my chest and wraps her arms around my neck as I carry her inside. When we reach the door, I adjust her slightly so I can unlock it. The door swings open, revealing our home.

I'm sure we'll return to our home soon.

After carrying her to our room, I gently lower her onto the bed, propping her up with pillows so she can sit comfortably. She looks around the room, her eyes welling with tears as she takes it all in. I can see the pain in her expression and the way her hands grip the blanket.

"This place..." she whispers, her voice trembling. "I missed it so much."

I swallow hard. "I know. Trouble, I missed it too." I brush a strand of hair behind her ear, and she leans into the touch, closing her eyes.

"Everything here reminds me of how happy we were, and now I can't stop feeling like it was all an illusion." She gives me a dejected look.

"Trust me, we'll get those happy days back," I reassure her, squeezing her hand, and with my other hand, I wipe her tears.

"Sky, I hope I'll get over this fear. I want to be able to be with you again, without being afraid."

"You'll overcome your fear, Trouble. I'm with you." I caress her cheeks.

She gives me a small, hopeful smile, though the tears still glisten in her eyes. "Thank you, Sky, for not giving up on me."

I clasp her face, locking my eyes with hers. "I could never give up on you, Trouble. You're my everything." I continue, placing her hand on my heart. "Take all the time you need to deal with your fear, but remember this heart will always beat for you, Trouble."

I lean in to capture her lips but kiss her forehead instead, recalling that we're just friends now.

Fuck! Being just her friend is going to be harder than I thought.

***

After reaching Zoe's apartment, I make her sit on the sofa and head to the kitchen to prepare tea for her.

As we sit in the living room, I keep my gaze fixed on Zoe, watching her as she sips her tea. I'm so relieved that she is finally with me.

When the doorbell rings, I set the cup down on the table, and after giving her a glance, I head to the door.

I open it to find Alex and Selena. I informed them about Zoe's kidnapping and her suffering before returning to New York.

"Finally, you got Zoe back." Alex steps inside. "I knew it."

"Sky, thank you for bringing her back." Selena passes me a smile before asking me in a serious tone, "How is she now?"

"Trying to be strong, but she's broken," I respond in a dejected tone.

"She's going to be fine, Sky." Alex reassures me, squeezing my shoulder while Selena rushes inside to meet her.

We follow Selena to the living room. She settles down beside Zoe before pulling her into a hug. "I was afraid for you, Zoe. Thank God you're back."

"I'm sorry for locking you in the room that day," Zoe apologises as they pull apart.

"Hey, don't say sorry," Selena replies. "I understand."

"Hey, Zoe. How are you?" Alex asks. "I'm glad you're back. Sky was completely lost without you."

Zoe glances at me before responding to Alex. "I'm... slowly getting better. It's just hard."

After a while, I go to the bedroom with Alex, leaving Zoe with Selena.

"It was shocking to know that your father was behind all this," Alex says, shaking his head in disbelief. "How are you holding up?"

I run a hand through my hair, feeling exhausted from all this. "Alex, I seriously don't know. It's a lot to digest. My father was my role model. Now it all feels like a nightmare. Everything I thought I knew about him has been turned upside down. I keep asking myself how I missed the signs, how I was so blind that I couldn't see his real face."

He gives me a serious look as he asks,
"What have you decided to do about him?"

I let out a heavy sigh. "I don't even know where to start. Part of me wants to confront him, to demand answers and punish him for every single tear Zoe has shed because of him. Seeing Zoe's wounds makes me feel like killing him. But another part of me is just exhausted, numb. I don't even know if I'm ready to face him again."

Alex nods, understanding. "It's a lot to process. But if you need any help, I'm here."

I nod. "Right now, I'm just trying to be here for Zoe. I'm going to deal with my father later on."