All these quotes I put here and the prior words, all of them are the part of the story. So please, don't skip them. It will give you a better insight.

"We accept the love we think we deserve."

— Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower)

Our fates were like strings. Twining and twining unbeknownst to us, until it was a jumbled mess of nothing- until it had become impossible for us escape the sorority of the predestined destiny.

Ardent's POV:

November, 2019

I was going crazy.

What have I been doing?

What was I going to do?

A breath of exasperation escaped me as the heaviness in my heart got even heavier. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think properly.

I couldn't do this to Madeline. Fuck! I couldn't do it.

I was desperate, I was eager to end this whole ordeal and come out clean to her. I didn't wish to deceive her anymore. It broke my heart to do so.

Madeline was like a breath of fresh air in my rugged life. She was like a soft light, illuminating the farthest corner of my dark soul. I urged her again and again to come out clean to her fiancée, it made me feel like I was stealing something from that psychopathic bastard, but she refused, her answer being "He will kill me." every single time.

She wasn't lying.

When I went to meet her yesterday, she had already been in our spot, crying whilst clutching her torn red sleeve. I immediately rushed to her, inquiring her about her torn dress and the fingermarks that painted her skin in purple.

"Marienne did it-" She had whimpered as she efforted to join the dress back together, "Marienne tore this dress. I was supposed to go to the gala.... b-but- Ardent," I clearly remember her emerald like orbs as it shone under the light of dusk, "I bought this dress after saving money... I knew he would never let me buy it.... I-I had been saving money for months...."

So I did the most logical thing I could come up with. I engulfed her in a hug, stroking her hair as she cried in my arms.

The severity of the situation dawned upon me as I pondered over her situation. Marienne's condition was worse than I had anticipated. That bastard tore her favorite red dress sleeve just because she wanted to attend a gala.

And then, very carefully, I had knitted a plan.

My heart pounded with excitement as I made my way through the solemn road, the bubbling trepidation made my insides coil. Sweat broke as I went through the lines over and over again in my head- revising them mentally.

Last night, after our encounter, I had gone back home and went through thousands of different ways that can save her and me. I was at the breaking point, everything seemed impossible without her.

Cool winter breeze blew, making me shiver. I wrapped the red jacket around me tightly as I took the turn to the Victor manor. Dry leaves fell all over the road, dancing with the gust of harsh breeze. The cracking sound echoed throughout the fearfully barren road as my boot hit them.

I adjusted my glasses, not wanting to fog it with my breath.

After our special night together, our bond seemed to have become more inseparable. We called each other more frequently, our subject was sweet nothings. She would often cry herself to sleep, begging me to do something about Marienne.

Well, now I could do something. I had come up with what seemed like to be the only solution.

But would she agree to it?

I gulped as my insides coiled with anticipation. I had to try and convince her. I needed to convince her or else I would go crazy. If that crazy bastard decides to marry her tomorrow, what was I to do?

For me, nothing really mattered anymore. The woman, Marienne, my father, the plan on avenging, nothing. There was no positive outcome of it. I withdrew a suitcase full of pounds today just to execute this plan.

The plan to run away with her.

I had bought two tickets to Paris. If she agrees, we are running away on the first flight to Paris. She just needed to bring her passport. I bought everything she needs, she only needed to come with me.

She only needed to say yes, I would sweep her off her feet.

Maybe we will come back here, ten years, or twenty years from now. Maybe on a day like this, when dry leaves fell, painting the road with read and yellow. Maybe it would be a snowy day, maybe we will walk together, hand in hand as she will complain about her boots getting stuck in the white snow. Maybe we will have a couple of wrinkles on our forehead and the corner of our eyes. Maybe we will have two or three grey hairs.

Maybe our children will also be here with us. We would come back, we would come back to apologize to Marienne- no matter how much I try to deny; we are still deceiving him.

Maybe by then, he will forget her. Maybe by then he will also find someone to cherish and love; maybe he will also find someone who will heal him, just like Madeline did.

No matter how hard that bastard was on Madeline, I still prayed that he found his true love. I knew what he had gone through, I knew that his childhood was not exactly the best. My childhood was fifty ways fucked up, but his was worse.

Maybe when we meet again, we will talk it out, maybe by then he will realize that what he had transpired upon Lin, was brutal. Maybe him and his better half would accept us- maybe we will share some jokes and have a good laugh- just like a big, happy family.

The stony walls of the Victor manor came into my sight. I sighed, eyeing the ripped off stones from in between. It was a handiwork by yours truly, it helps climbing the wall.

I climbed the wall, like a pro. Once I reached the other side, I hopped off, landing on my two feet.

My eyes went to my Rolex. It was 5:56.

She should be here in any moment...

I glanced around, pacing around impatiently. The sun was shying away in the sky, beckoning twilight. Purple and nacarat painted the sky- signaling the death of another day.

The rustling of the leaves made me look at the direction of the sound. I turned my head, only to find her making her way through the trees and bushes.

A sigh left me as I walked to her, the defeated look on her face tugging a string in my heart.

"Are you okay?" I questioned as I stopped a couple of inches in front of her. She looked up, her eyes glimmering under the evening light.

I brought my right hand up, stroking the side of her lips lovingly. She closed her eyes, letting out a sigh as I noticed her form relaxing visibly.

"Are you okay?" I questioned, my voice soft. She clearly was going through a lot and I wished to ease her sufferings.

"I feel okay now...." She opened her eyes, they were a shade lighter. It was as if, her worries and pains were forgotten. She smiled at me, making my heart flutter.

"Lin, I want to propose an idea; we have little time so, I will just spit it out-" I took a deep breath as I noticed her face contort in confusion. The sound of my blood pounding in my ears were way too much for me. I gulped nervously, my stomach tingling in confusion.

She placed a hand on my bicep, nodding at me encouragingly.

I let out a breath. Here goes nothing.

"Let's run away;" I blurted out those words. It felt like a heavy stone was lifted from my chest. I stared at her, panting.

Her eyes widened for a bit, I noticed her face paling visibly.

"R-Run away?" She inquired timidly.

I nodded,

"Where?" She whispered, her green eyes standing out from her ghostly white skin.

"I-" I sighed, "I bought tickets to Paris, my ancestral home. Also, I have bought whatever you need as well- you just need to come with-"

"I can't!" She replied, tears streaming down her eyes.

My mouth fell agape in shock.

Why?

Black dots began to dance in front of my vision as I stared at her, flabbergasted.

"Wh-Why?" I questioned.

She burst into tears, covering her face with both of her hands. I stoked her hair gently, my heart hurting in dejection.

"Marienne installed a tracker in my ring..." She lifted it up, whimpering.

Anger burst inside me. Anger toward him and her. She was meek, to meek.

Why couldn't she understand that I was going to keep her safe?!

"THEN THROW THE DAMN RING AWAY!" I hollered exasperated; the blood in my veins boiling.

She flinched, backing away a little bit, her tears seized as fear replaced them.

"Ar-"

"No!" I fumed, "You have absolutely no right to defend yourself Madeline! I have everything ready, I can protect you and we can be at Paris by tomorrow, starting a new life! Why wouldn't you understand?! I am tired of this! We can't live in fear forever!"

She let out a shaky breath, looking down.

"You know what?!" I seethed, "Did you really think that I approached you because I like you?"

This is not a right time.

But this needed to be spoken now.

She looked up, her eyes widening in shock. "What?" She whispered.

"I approached you because my previous plan was to make you fall in love with me so that I can derive benefits from your fiancée. But when I actually approached you-" Her eyes glistened with tears. Suddenly, fear coiled inside me as an inner turmoil built up inside me.

Was I wrong to let it out?

I gulped, my anger transforming into sadness, "When I actually approached you, I found a broken woman in you- I found a woman craving for freedom and I found a woman who was like me. I fell in love with you Lin, and now I want to abandon everything to be with you. Can't you make this small sacrifice for me?"

I placed a hand over her head, caressing it.

"Ardent-" She sighed, tears streaming down her eyes, "How do I know that you aren't lying? We are too tired to fight over truth and lies. I have only you and you-"

My mind drifted off to her.

She was nothing to me.

"I only have you Madeline, no one else." I affirmed, my voice strong.

She sighed. "You aren't understanding Ardent..." She whispered, "Marienne will find me; he will come for me even if I hide under the ground. I know what he can do, Ardent. He is powerful, he has connections and I don't want anything to happen to you."

I let out a breath, laughing slightly. "He can't harm-"

"If he knows he will harm you-" She gulped, her eyes clouded with fear for that gorgonian monster, "And I know he will kill you. There's just no way."

"Then what do we do?" I whispered, my heart breaking into million pieces. Evening dawned and the street lights lit up, one by one, trying to illuminate the darkness surrounding us.

"I-" Madeline stammered, "I don't know-"

A sigh escaped me. I should buy some more tickets, in case she changed her mind. I shuffled in my pocket, looking for the flower I had placed.

The atmosphere was becoming colder, I saw a shiver going through her body. I let out a breath, it came out like a puff of smoke.

I pulled out the small broken tulip, smiling as I offered it to her. She smiled, pain and sadness enmingled with it. It was heartbreaking.

Why did it have to be us?

Why?

Why did we have to be like this?

Why couldn't we meet like normal people?

A drop of tear escaped her as she accepted it, pressing a kiss on one of it's petal.

"Are you sure we can't-"

She shook her head.

"Okay.." I whispered, not wanting to extend the matters more.

"Go inside..." I whispered as I smiled at her gently, "It's getting cold."

"Ardent, I will come up with a plan.." She nodded at me firmly, making my jaw drop in shock.

Did she just-

Happiness flooded in me as I beamed at her. She grinned, tears shining in her eyes.

"I, too, am tired Ardent. I will find a way. Let's meet tomorrow;" she nodded.

I let out a shaky breath; pressing a kiss on her lips. It was brief, but it was enough to show how happy I was.

She was stunned for a moment, but she regained her composure soon, beaming up at me.

She grabbed me by the collar and pressed another lingering kiss square over my mouth. I pulled her closer deepening the kiss. Small busts of pleasure bloomed in my veins as my toes curled in pleasure.

A while later, both of us pulled back, my lips throbbing from the intense pleasure.

"I love you-" she mouthed as she backed away, making me feel empty.

"Love you too-" I whispered as I saw her throwing me a brief smile and running to the villa.

I waved at her, knowing that she couldn't see me. A sigh escaped me as I saw her figure vanishing into the horizon.

I turned, willing to get out from here.

The walls are hard to climb.

"Going soon?" A familiar voice muttered coldly. I sighed as I got down, turning back to the shadow of the figurine.

I knew her very well.

"What is it?" I sighed, walking to her, "I don't have time."

She was wearing a hood, a huge cloak to keep herself from being cold. Her features were accentuated under the dim lights of the manor.

Seeing her reminded me of the pain and sufferings I had gone through, the hardships I have gone through. To be honest, I was tired of fighting and I wanted to live.

"Of course you don't-" She tsked, "You are busy planning trip with your precious little amore."

Blood froze in my veins as I stared at her mouth agape.

"What? Did you think I won't know?" She mocked me, "I know everything, Ardent."

I rolled my eyes, composing myself, "All you can do is bark....."

"Hmm.." She trailed off, "It would be really fun if I tell Marienne, wouldn't it?"

I barked out a laugh, "You are too much of a coward to do that, do you think I would keep silent, Lindy?"

She flinched, looking up into my eyes, her grey eyes shining with flame, "Would it hurt-"

"Of course it would.." I smirked coldly, "You are a one self centered bitch. All you can do is flail the money you got from that worthless bastard and pretend everything is okay."

Her features morphed into hurt stricken, "I warned you not to fall in love with that bitch! I warned you Ardent! I told you we take the signature from Marienne and leave, but you don't listen! Now you are planning your little trip with that-"

"Do not-" I warned in a deadly tone, "Call her a bitch. I will not think twice to hurt you."

"You are too good of a person to do that..." She stated, "You would never do that."

I smirked, nearing her, "Try me."

"Ardent, why don't you understand..." She huffed, "Can you imagine the amount of money we can get from them? It's rightfully mine, and if it's mine it's-"

I barked out a laugh, "You are like one of those chiennes, sleeping on money but still want more."

Her features were pained. I smiled sweetly at her.

"I am done being your puppet, Lindy. I am done with your bullshits. I promise you that I will free that woman from here and take her with me. You won't be able to do anything."

"You are going to abandon me?"

I rolled my eyes, "I have abandoned you long ago, you are just too stupid to figure that out."

"D-Do not forget who keeps those guards away- if you try to take her from here, Marienne will come to know about her and then he will-"

I smiled, "The sole reason why she is still there."

I saw her heaving out a breath.

"That won't stop me from trying," I stated.

"I will tell Marienne that-"

"Did you think me as a fool?" I huffed, "Of course it will happen in a way that no one will know. We will be with each other, we will spend our life together.... That's a promise."

She let out a breath, "This is how you repay me? Don't make the same mistake; I beg of you, Ardent. It ruined lives, it made us like this." She grabbed my shoulders, pleading me with her eyes.

I eyed her hands for a moment and then shrugged it off with such force that she stumbled back.

"The only one making a mistake is you. Take this as a warning, if any harm comes to Madeline, I am going to avenge her. I can and I will do that. You do not dictate me. I will free ourselves from your and Marienne's clutch. You can live in this castle for as long as you wish. Just remember, you will never find your happiness with the vengeance you have in your heart."

She was vengeful, she needed to purify herself. She needed to see the light.

"So this is going to be like this?" A bitter chuckle escaped her, "My own son turns his back to me?"

I smirked as I walked away from her, climbing the wall, "It has always been like this. You can continue your stupid revenge on dad. You can eat those money for all I care, I don't want a life like this mom. This little scheme has caused me my childhood, I want to be happy at least in my adult life, with her."

"You never listen to me!" She hollered in a broken voice. I heard a sob escape her as I let myself at the top of the wall. Looking back at her, I found her crying, sitting on the ground. "My own husband was taken away from me by a woman and the same thing happens with my son! WHY?! Why do you not understand me?! What have I ever done wrong to you?!"

"I understand," I whispered, despite knowing that she can't hear me, "I will be back to you once you let go of that vengeance and be a free woman."

With that, I hopped off, leaving her on the other side of the wall. The chilly winter breeze blew, making me shiver as I wiped off a drop of tear that escaped me, making my way into the dark road.

Did you like it? Short but the chapter all of you have been waiting for.

Why do you think that Ardent hates Lindy?

Do you think she is right of her actions till now?

Do you think Ardent and Madeline are making right decisions?

LEMME KNOW. Thank you for reading! Vote comment share follow me!