Forbidden Embrace

complexities and relationships

“I know you're gonna say ! Just give me a break, okay? Don’t I deserve some time for myself?”

“This is urgent, Ms. Daphne! Please try to understand. I need you here! It can't wait–”

“How sweet of you, Mr. Arrogant. But it's a NO. A big NO. Do you get it? Now, leave me alone!”

“Ms. Daphne, I'm trying to be professional, but you’re really pushing it. I think you should reconsider. This is IMPORTANT!”

“I'm warning you, man. Don't take this too personally. And don’t try to be my father—having one is already annoying enough!”

“Thank you for your time, Ms. Daphne. But you're going to regret being this rich brat! I’m hanging up now.”

(voice tinged with frustration) “You’re being unreasonable! You can’t just walk away from your responsibilities because you’re having a bad day. We all have bad days, Daphne!”

Daphne: (cutting in sharply) “Responsibilities? Really? I’ve been handling everything alone for so long that I forgot what it's like to rely on anyone. So don't lecture me on responsibilities. I'm exhausted, okay?”

“Look, I get it. You’re overwhelmed. But this isn’t just about you.

Daphne: (hesitates, voice slightly softer) “I’m not your saviour, okay? I’ve got my own mess to deal with. Why can’t anyone see that?”

“Maybe because you’ve been too busy saving everyone else to let anyone see your mess?”

Daphne: (long pause, voice shaky) “I... I can’t keep doing this. Not right now. I’m tired of being the one who always has to show up, no matter what.” (sighs deeply, voice resigned)“Fine. I’ll think about it. But don’t expect miracles, okay?”

“That’s all I’m asking. Thank you, Daphne. I know this isn’t easy.”

Daphne : “Yeah, well… Don’t thank me yet. You might regret asking for my help.”

“I’ll take my chances. I’ll see you soon at—”

She ended the call so abruptly, unable to bear the sound of his voice any longer. The tension lingered, and all she wanted now was a moment of peace—to calm her mind and soothe her restless body.

After a bit of stargazing from her cosy balcony, surrounded by trees and the peacefulness of her new hideout, she set several alarms for 5 AM and nestled under her warm blankets. But sleep eluded her in this unfamiliar place. Restless, she finally gave up, wandered into the kitchen for ice cream and snacks, and turned on the TV. The news was blasting a viral story about a writer accused of plagiarising another’s work. Already tense, Daphne quickly shut it off, feeling uneasy.
Daphne's life was painted in shades of blue, and the pain of what had happened at home earlier still lingered. Few people could truly understand what she had endured. Her only solace was Selene, the one person who never judged her and stood by her through every high and low. It hadn’t been easy for Daphne to become the person she was today—scarred by a humiliating breakup with Richard, burdened as a helpless sister to her siblings, and weighed down by countless bouts of writer's block, not to mention the complicated relationship with her father. The memory of her mother's wedding day sent chills down her spine even now. Determined to push away the bitterness of the past, Daphne tried to sleep early, knowing she had an important meeting with her publisher the next day.

It was 4 AM when she finally managed to fall asleep. Her alarm jarred her awake from a nightmare, and she shouted, disoriented and alone with no one to calm her. She groggily brushed her teeth, half-awake, her hair a mess, and her clothes strewn across the floor. She let the hot water of the shower wash away her tension and prepared herself for the day ahead. Driving down the hill in her Jaguar, with Katy Perry’s "Roar" blasting from the speakers, she reached the town where Selene was waiting in front of her office. Daphne was puzzled by the serious look on Selene’s usually playful face—seriousness didn’t suit her easy going nature and the person who's on his phone , RYBAK.