"Amid secrets, desires, and shadows, love finds its brightest glow in the darkest hours."
she was the girl who wore moonlight, searching for herself in a world full of shadows, he was the boy with a hidden heart, drawn to her light. Together, they'l...
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I wiped my tears with the sleeves of my sweater, the fabric damp from hours of crying. My gaze shifted to the wedding dress hanging on the rack beside me—pure white and glimmering like a cruel joke. Willow had sent it earlier, as if dressing me up would somehow make the nightmare more bearable. On my other side, Luna rested quietly, her soft presence the only thing grounding me.
A knock on the door brought me back into reality, and Aunt Jamila entered, holding a steaming cup of coffee. "Maha, drink this," she urged softly, placing the cup in my hands. "You've been crying since we came back from the Blackwood's place. You need to calm yourself, my dear."
I barely heard her. My eyes drifted toward the window, where the Blackwood mansion loomed in the distance like a dark, ominous prison. My prison. The place I would be locked in for the rest of my life. And the worst part? Being trapped there with him.
"Dear, listen to me," Aunt Jamila's voice broke through my thoughts. "I know you've been wronged, but what you did there wasn't-"
I cut her off, setting the cup aside, panic rising in my chest. "Really, Aunt? You believe those ridiculous rumours? Do you actually think there's something between me and Ryker? No!" My voice cracked as my breathing quickened. I gripped hair tightly, feeling like the walls were closing in.
Aunt Jamila wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a warm embrace. "No, my baby. I don't believe in them," she murmured. "I know you would never do anything like that. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being so helpless."
Her words softened the ache, but only a little. I pulled away, running my fingers through Luna's soft fur as she nuzzled against me.
The Blackwoods had always been in control of my life. Every decision that should've been mine to make—they took it. Ever since my parents died, they've been looming over me like vultures, waiting to pounce. I hate them. All of them. I hate their schemes, their manipulations, and most of all, I hate Ryker.
I was a fool, but Ryker? He trapped himself along with me. A bigger fool than I ever was.
Tears blurred my vision again, stinging my eyes and burning my nose. Aunt Jamila sat down beside me and reached into her pocket. "Maha," she said softly, pulling out something shiny, "this was given to me by your father the night before the accident."
She held out a small, intricate locket that gleamed faintly under the dim light. "Your father asked me to keep this safe and give it to you when the time was right. But, you were too young before, and now..." Her voice trailed off as she leaned closer, fastening the cold metal around my neck.
"But why this locket?" I asked, my voice trembling as I held the locket in my palm, it was sealed.
Aunt Jamila hesitated. "I don't know what's inside, but your father said it was precious. And," she paused, her voice dropping to a whisper, "it's the reason the Blackwood's are back of you."
