𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭

...🏀...

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋

𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟓

The rain poured in sheets, drenching the world in a downpour. I could feel it soaking into my clothes, my hair plastered to my scalp, cold droplets sliding down my skin.

But I didn't move.

I didn't even shiver.

I just lay there, flat on my back on the balcony, eyes closed against the weight of it all, letting the storm wash over me. The numbness crept in, slow and steady, like the rain itself, dulling the edges of everything I had been holding onto for so long.

I focused on the rhythm of the rain hitting the ground, its steady patter somehow calming in its chaos. But no matter how hard I tried to stay in that sound, my mind kept betraying me. It replayed Andrew's attack in flashes—his voice, his hands, the terror that had gripped me. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, trying to push it all away. It felt like I was drowning in it, the fear, the memory, the weight of everything I couldn't outrun.

The balcony door creaked open, and I heard soft but deliberate footsteps approaching me. I didn't open my eyes. I didn't need to.

I knew it was Brooke.

"Mylah."

Her voice was gentle, but there was an unshakable strength beneath it. I didn't respond.

I couldn't.

I didn't have the energy to speak, move, or do anything but exist in this moment of numbness. Brooke didn't push me. She lowered herself beside me, lying on the cold, wet ground, letting the rain hit her, too. For a few moments, neither of us said anything. Just the sound of rain, its steady beat against the world.

"You're a survivor, Mylah," Brooke finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And a fighter."

I bit down hard on my lip, keeping my eyes shut. I didn't feel like either of those things.

I felt broken.

Andrew had found me, hurt me again, and I hadn't stopped him.

"Survivor?" I whispered, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. "I don't feel like one."

Brooke shifted beside me, the weight of her presence grounding me in a way I wasn't expecting. "You fought him off," she said, her voice firmer now. "You got away. That's what matters."

I didn't answer. I couldn't shake the feeling that I hadn't really gotten away.

Not from Andrew. Not from the fear that gripped me every time I thought about what could have happened.

What still might happen?

I wrapped my arms around myself, my breath shaky.

"I'm scared," I admitted, my voice cracking.

"I know," Brooke murmured. "But you're not alone."

The words hung between us, almost lost in the rain. We lay there for what felt like hours, the rain beating down, the world around us slipping into a strange quiet. Eventually, Brooke sighed and stood up, her footsteps retreating as she disappeared back inside the house.

The rain kept falling, each drop heavier than the last, but I stayed. The numbness that had swallowed me was starting to fade, leaving behind the sharp sting of reality, and I was not too fond of it. I didn't want to feel anything.

Another set of footsteps approached, slower, more hesitant this time. I didn't open my eyes until I felt him settle beside me, the warmth of his body contrasting the cold rain that continued to pour.

Nathan.

"Mylah," he said softly, his voice almost drowned out by the storm.

I turned toward him, blinking against the rain as it slid down my face. His blue eyes were soft, filled with concern, but there was something else there, too. Something that calmed the storm inside me, if only for a moment.

He didn't say anything else. He didn't need to. Instead, he lay down next to me, his shoulder brushing mine, the rain hitting him just as hard as it hit me. I wanted to tell him everything, to pour out the fear, the anger, the helplessness I felt.

But no words came—just silence.

We lay together, staring at the dark sky, the rain crashing down on us both. It was as if the world had faded away, and it was just us—Nathan and me. I could feel my chest tightening again, the panic crawling back in, but then Nathan reached out, his hand finding mine in the cold, wet space between us.

"I'm here," he whispered, his fingers tightening around mine. "I'm not going anywhere."

A tear mixed with the rain on my cheek, and I squeezed his hand back, trying to anchor myself in the warmth of his touch. I didn't know what to say or how to explain the fear that had swallowed me whole, but his presence was enough for now.

The rain continued to pour, but I felt like I could breathe for the first time in hours.

...🏀...

I pulled Nathan's t-shirt over my head, the soft cotton draping loosely on my frame, the faint scent of him clinging to the fabric. It should have comforted me, should have made me feel safe. Instead, it only made the ache in my chest heavier. I climbed onto my bed, drawing my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around them as if that might somehow hold me together.

The room felt too quiet, too heavy. My thoughts wouldn't stop racing—Andrew's face, his voice, the way his hands had pinned me down. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to shake the memories, but they clung to me like shadows. My fingers absentmindedly touched the moonstone necklace Nathan had given me, the cool stone grounding me, but even that felt distant like I was slipping away from everything familiar.

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. I didn't move, didn't say anything. The door creaked open slowly, and Haley slipped inside, closing it quietly behind her. She didn't say anything at first; she just stood there for a moment, taking me in. Then, without a word, she crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes never leaving mine.

"You okay?" Her voice was gentle, but it carried the weight of the question.

I shrugged, my throat tight. "I don't know," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Haley pulled her knees up to mirror mine, her gaze soft but searching. "Keith's wedding is today," she said after a long pause, her tone careful. "Are you going?"

I didn't answer.

The idea of wearing a dress, facing the world, and pretending everything was okay felt impossible. I wasn't ready to be around people after what had happened. Not when Andrew's threats still hung over me like a storm waiting to break.

Haley watched me momentarily, then leaned in, her voice soft but steady. "Your daughter is going to know you were strong and a survivor."

I felt a tear slip down my cheek before I could stop it. I wiped it away quickly, looking down at my hands and avoiding Haley's eyes.

"I don't feel strong," I admitted, my voice cracking.

"You are," she said firmly. "You've been through hell, and you're still here. That's strength."

I wanted to believe her. I wanted to feel like I wasn't drowning in this fear, this overwhelming weight of everything Andrew had done, everything he might still do. But all I could feel was the suffocating panic, the terror that had followed me every step since he found me again.

Haley's hand rested on mine, squeezing gently. "You don't have to be okay right now," she said. "But you're going to be. And your daughter is going to see that."

I didn't know what to say.

The words felt stuck in my throat, the emotions too raw, too tangled to make sense of. But I nodded, forcing myself to believe Haley's words, if only for a moment.

Haley stood, giving me one last look before heading toward the door. "If you need anything, I'm here," she said softly, closing the door with a quiet click.

After she left, I sat there for a long moment, staring at the space where she had been. Her words echoed in my mind, bouncing around in the quiet.

Your daughter is going to know you were strong and a survivor.

I wiped my eyes again, taking a deep breath—the wedding. I wasn't sure I could do it—show up, pretend to be okay, smile when every part of me felt shattered. But something in Haley's words stirred something deep inside me, a flicker of resolve I didn't know I still had.

I stood up, crossing the room to the small closet. The dress I'd picked out for the wedding hung there. It was a soft blue that shimmered under the lights. I hesitated, staring at it for a moment before reaching out to touch the fabric. It was smooth under my fingers, delicate in a way I didn't feel right now.

But Haley was right.

I couldn't stay here, curled up in this room, letting Andrew control every part of me, even when he wasn't here. I had to take that first step, no matter how small.

For me.

For my daughter.

I took a deep breath, pulling off my shirt and the dress off the hanger. As I slipped it on, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My reflection looked fragile, the dark circles under my eyes betraying how much I'd been through. But there was something else there, too: the way I stood a little taller and the moonstone necklace caught the light—a reminder that I was still fighting.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a shaky breath. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring or the day after that. But right now, I was taking one small step forward.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

...🏀...

"Mylah?"

Nathan's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I blinked, turning my gaze to find him watching me. His blue eyes were concerned, and I could tell he was trying to gauge what was happening behind my unreadable expression.

"Are you ready to go in?" he asked softly, a slight furrow forming between his brows.

I nodded, but a shiver ran down my spine as I glanced toward the church. People were milling about, all heading inside for Keith's wedding, their chatter a dull hum in the background. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but everything hung heavy over me.

"I just need a minute," I said, my voice barely audible.

Nathan didn't move.

He simply stood there, waiting, like he always did—patient and steady. "What can I do?" he asked gently.

Without thinking, I reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. I turned to him, my voice trembling just a little. "Don't leave my side. Please."

His hand squeezed mine in return, his touch grounding me. "I'm not going anywhere," he promised, his voice firm.

I let out a breath I hadn't even realized I'd been holding, feeling a small sense of relief. "Okay," I whispered, more to myself than him.

We took our first steps toward the church together, the crunch of gravel beneath our feet the only sound I focused on. My heart raced in my chest, not because of the wedding but because of everything else. Andrew, the threat that loomed in the back of my mind, even when I tried to push it away.

I spotted Keith near the entrance, greeting guests as we approached the stairs. It didn't surprised me that he had invited me to his wedding he was like an uncle to me.

What surprised me more was learning Lucas had been living with Dan.

As we reached the steps, Dan's voice cut through the air. "Well, well, well, my son cleans up good."

Nathan's hand tensed in mine, and I could feel his annoyance without looking at him. He doesn't acknowledge his dad but focuses on his mom standing beside Dan.

"Hi, Mom," Nathan said, his voice softer now as he leaned in to kiss Deb.

Deb smiled warmly at me. "You look lovely, Mylah."

I forced a small smile. "Thank you."

Dan's gaze flicked between us, his expression unreadable, but his jaw clenched. "I didn't know you were coming," he said, turning to Deb.

"Keith invited her," Deb replied, her voice neutral, but I could feel the tension radiating from all of us.

I could feel Dan's eyes boring into me, and I knew he wasn't happy about me being there. Well, I wasn't exactly thrilled to see him either.

"Is that gonna be a problem?" Nathan asked, his voice low as he pulled me closer to his side, protective.

Dan shook his head, stepping aside with a tight-lipped smile. "No." But his tone was strained, and it was clear that wasn't the whole truth.

Nathan barely spared him another glance as we passed by. "We need to talk, son," Dan added, but Nathan didn't stop.

"We already did," Nathan muttered.

As we walked down the hallway toward the main room, I furrowed my brows, glancing up at Nathan. "What was that about?"

Nathan let out a frustrated breath. "He took over the dealership," he said, his voice heavy. "And he fired me."

I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him fully. "What?"

Nathan's eyes met mine, the anger simmering beneath the surface. "He gave me an ultimatum—choose you or keep the job."

My heart sank.

I knew Dan hated me and my family but I didn't understand why he couldn't he just let Nathan be happy?

"Nathan..." I started, but he cut me off with a shake of his head.

"Hey," he said softly, his hand gently cupping my cheek, guiding my eyes to meet his. "I will always choose you."

I swallowed, my heart aching at the thought of Nathan being caught in this mess because of me. "I know that," I whispered, placing my hand over his. "But I hate that you have to choose between your family and me."

Nathan's forehead rested against mine, his voice soft but sure. "They made it that way," he said. "I may not like it, but they did this to themselves."

My eyes fluttered shut as I leaned into his steady and constant presence. "I have a lot of baggage, Nathan," I murmured. "I just don't want you to wake up one day and regret what it's done to your relationship with them."

Nathan's voice was barely above a whisper. "That will never happen."

I smiled slightly as he pulled me in closer, his hand moving to the back of my neck. He kissed me, his lips moving slowly, deliberately, as if he was savoring every second. I gripped the front of his suit jacket, pulling him closer, the warmth of his kiss spreading through me like wildfire.

Every kiss with Nathan felt like the first—intense, full of promise. And I knew deep down that Nathan had ruined me for anyone else. No kiss would ever compare.

But right now, none of that mattered. Right now, it was just us, wrapped in each other, standing in the middle of a storm, neither of us knew how to navigate. And somehow, that was enough.

...🏀...

"Why is Dan staring at you?" Brooke whispered, her voice cutting through the low hum of wedding chatter.

I turned away from the stained-glass window where the sunlight streamed through, painting the church in shades of gold and crimson. Sure enough, there he was, Dan Scott, standing near the front, his eyes boring into me like he was trying to burn a hole straight through my soul.

"Because he hates me," I muttered under my breath, not wanting to draw any more attention to the tension that hung between us like a live wire.

Brooke sighed, her lips pressing together in frustration. "Can't he just let you and Nathan be happy?"

I shrugged, the weight of Dan's disapproval settling heavier on my shoulders. "I don't think 'happy' is a word in Dan's vocabulary."

"You know there's a wedding going on, right?" Peyton muttered from my other side, her eyes flicking back toward the front where Keith and his bride were moments away from saying their vows.

"Oh, don't start," Brooke hissed, but her eyes were sparkling mischievously as she glanced between Peyton and Jake. "Was it awesome? Just give me a hint."

My eyes widened as I followed her gaze to Peyton and then to Jake. It clicked instantly. "Oh my god."

Peyton's cheeks flushed red as she waved Brooke off. "Not here."

Brooke leaned in closer, undeterred. "I know we're in a church," she whispered conspiratorially. "But blink once if it was good and twice if it was better than that."

I fought the urge to laugh, watching out of the corner of my eye as Peyton tried to resist the urge to play along. But after a long pause, she turned to us and blinked once. Then twice. And then fluttered her lashes dramatically.

I shook my head, trying to suppress the grin tugging at my lips. "Well, I guess that answers that."

"Oh my god," Brooke gushed, clasping her hands together. "I love weddings!"

The mood between us lightened, but the weight of Dan's stare hadn't left me. I could still feel it crawling up my spine, a constant reminder that no matter how far I ran or how much I tried to build a life with Nathan, Dan Scott would always be lurking in the shadows, waiting to tear it down.

I glanced up as Nathan made his way toward me, his tall frame moving confidently beside Lucas. His eyes softened the moment they found mine, and the tension in my chest eased for a split second. He was the one good thing in this mess.

As he approached, he held out my phone. "Your mom's on the phone," he said, his voice low, concern flickering in his eyes.

I blinked, feeling a pang of worry. I took the phone from his hand, letting go of Haley's hand stepped out into the hallway, and pressed it to my ear. "Mom? Is everything okay? Is Leila okay?"

Her voice was soft on the other end. "Leila's fine, sweetheart. I just wanted to check on you."

I swallowed hard, relief and frustration warring inside me. I didn't want to think about Andrew right now; I didn't want to go back to that dark place. "I'm fine, Mom. I promise. I'll see you after the wedding, okay?"

We hung up, and I stood there for a moment, my heart still racing from the reminder that Andrew's shadow loomed over everything. Even here, at a wedding, he was never far from my thoughts.

When I walked back into the church, all eyes seemed to be on me. The tension in the room had shifted, and I could see people whispering, confusion written on their faces. My eyes landed on Nathan, who was walking toward me, a troubled expression on his face.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nathan leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear as he murmured, "Jules ran."

My eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"She left Keith at the altar," Nathan explained, his voice heavy with disbelief.

I blinked, trying to process what that meant. Before I could say anything else, Keith's voice rang out through the church. "Give me your keys!" he shouted at Lucas, his voice frantic.

"Keith—" Lucas started, but Keith was already storming down the aisle, desperation etched across his face.

"Just give me your keys!" Keith yelled again, and Lucas reluctantly handed them over.

Keith grabbed the keys and bolted out of the church, Karen rushing after him. The room erupted into murmurs as people began standing up, slowly making their way out.

I reached for Nathan's hand, pulling him closer to me as the chaos unfolded around us. His presence grounded me, even when everything else seemed to be falling apart.

"I need to get my jacket," Nathan said quietly, brushing his thumb over my knuckles.

I nodded, watching him walk toward the pew to grab his jacket. Brooke, Haley and Peyton had disappeared somewhere, leaving me alone in the sea of whispers and stares.

That's when I heard it.

"I don't know what he sees in you," Dan muttered behind me.

I froze every muscle, tensing as his words sliced through the air. This wasn't the time. This wasn't the place. And yet, here he was, starting something I had no energy to finish.

"I'm not doing this with you," I muttered, turning toward the door, desperate to escape the venom in his voice.

Before I could take another step, his hand clamped around my arm, yanking me back toward him. Panic flooded my veins, freezing me in place as my mind was thrown back to the night with Andrew—the fear, the helplessness, the way his grip had felt exactly like this.

"Mylah."

Nathan's voice was sharp, and in an instant, he was there, pushing Dan away from me, his body shielding mine. I stumbled back, feeling a tear slip down my cheek as Nathan placed a hand on my face, his eyes full of worry.

"I'm here," he said softly, his thumb brushing the tear from my skin. "Breathe, Mylah. Just breathe."

I took a shaky breath, feeling the tightness in my chest begin to ease. "I'm fine," I whispered, though I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince him or myself.

Dan's voice cut through the moment like a blade. "Does he know the truth?"

My heart stopped, and I gripped Nathan's hand tighter, trying to pull him away from his dad before this escalated any further.

"Nathan, don't," I pleaded, my voice shaking.

But Nathan was already turning toward Dan. His jaw clenched, anger radiating off him in waves. "What are you talking about?" Nathan growled, his body trembling with barely controlled rage.

Dan sneered, taking a step closer to his son. "She'll only bring you down with her baggage, son. Is that what you want? To carry her mess?"

Nathan's face darkened, and I could see the storm brewing in his eyes. "I'm asking you once," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "don't talk about her like that."

"Like what?" Dan shot back, his tone dripping with disdain. "Like the whore she is?"

The word hit me like a punch to the gut, and the air seemed to vanish from my lungs for a moment. I could see it in Dan's eyes—the disgust, the judgment, the way he looked at me like I was nothing.

I had seen that look before.

I had feared that look every time I thought about telling someone what Andrew had done to me, every time I thought about the consequences of opening up about the nightmare I had lived through.

And now, here it was—the confirmation of every fear I had ever held.

The next thing I knew, there was a crash as Nathan's fist collided with Dan's face. My eyes widened in shock as Dan stumbled back, slamming into a row of pews and struggling to regain his balance.

Dan's eyes burned with fury as he launched himself at Nathan, and before I could react, the two of them were on the ground, throwing punches, fists connecting with brutal force.

"Nathan!" I screamed, rushing toward the door as the chaos spiraled around me. I yanked the door open, running into the hallway where Brooke, Peyton, Lucas, Haley, and Alex stood in stunned silence.

"They're going to kill each other!" I cried, my voice shaking with fear.

Lucas and Alex rushed past me, storming toward the scene unfolding in front of the altar, while Haley, Brooke, and Peyton pulled me to the side. Their eyes were wide with shock, all of them whispering questions I could barely process.

"What happened?" Lucas demanded as he grabbed Nathan, hauling him off Dan.

I swallowed hard, my voice shaking as I stared at them, tears filling my eyes. "Dan called me a whore," I whispered, barely able to say it out loud.

Brooke's face twisted in fury. "No, he didn't." Her voice dripped with anger as she glanced toward Dan, who was still struggling against Alex's grip. "That asshole."

I nodded, my throat tight. "Yeah, he did. Please, just... stop them."

Lucas and Alex moved quickly, grabbing both Nathan and Dan and pulling them apart.

Blood dripped from a cut near Dan's eye, his face twisted into a sneer as he spat out, "Don't make me knock you out, son."

Nathan, trembling with rage, clenched his fists. "Screw you," he growled, his chest heaving with the effort of keeping himself from going after Dan again.

"What the hell is going on?" Deb's voice rang through the church, her heels clicking on the floor as she stormed in, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Nathan? Dan? What is this?"

Nathan shoved Lucas off him, his breath coming in harsh bursts, his entire body still tense with anger. "Ask him," he muttered, his glare sharp as it bore into his dad.

Dan wiped the blood from his face, the corner of his mouth curling into a smug sneer. "All I did was tell him the truth."

Deb looked between them, her expression a mixture of shock and frustration. "Please tell me you didn't, Dan."

I couldn't take it anymore. I stepped forward, my legs shaky beneath me, and reached out to Nathan, my hand gripping his arm. "Nathan, let's go. Please."

He looked down at me, his eyes still burning with anger, but slowly, they softened. I could see him trying to pull himself back from the edge. He grabbed my hand tightly, pulling me closer to him, like I was the only thing keeping him grounded.

We walked out of the church, leaving behind the tension and the stares. The cool night air hit my face, and I inhaled sharply, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions inside me. Nathan stopped once we were outside, turning to face me, his eyes still filled with a fire I wasn't sure would ever fully die.

"No one talks about you like that," Nathan said, his voice low but fierce. "I won't let them."

I swallowed, tears pricking at my eyes. His words, his fierce protectiveness, it was everything I needed to hear, but still... "Nathan, I don't want you to lose your family because of me," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I don't want this feud to tear everything apart."

Nathan's expression softened, his thumb brushing away a tear I hadn't even realized had fallen. His lips found mine, soft and gentle, like he was pouring everything he had into that kiss. When he pulled back, his voice was steady, unwavering.

"You and Leila are my family," he said quietly. "And I won't let anyone tear us apart."

The world seemed to shrink, leaving just the two of us standing there in the night. The noise, the chaos, the anger—it all faded, leaving me with just one truth.

I love him.

And there was no going back.