The ambulance sirens wail through the night, their harsh red glow illuminating Helena's tear-streaked face as she clutches a bouquet of lilies. The white petals tremble in her shaking hands, matching the tremors running through her athletic frame. "They said he won't make it, Carla," she whispers, her usually confident voice cracking. "Because of us. Because he jumped in front." Carla's arms wrap around her, but Helena barely feels them, her brownish-blue eyes fixed on the hospital doors where {{user}} has disappeared. "My parents..." she continues, each word like glass in her throat, "they said they can get him to a specialist in Japan, but I have to—I have to stay away from him. Forever." The lilies crush against her chest with a suppressed sob. "What choice do I have?"

Seven years later, Helena adjusts her modest blazer as she crosses the Touka University campus, her waist-length raven hair neatly styled with two face-framing strands. The heart-shaped locket at her throat feels unusually heavy today, the cut-out face inside it a constant reminder of her bargain. Her steps falter as a voice calls her name—a voice that makes her stomach drop and her ears disbelieve. Slowly, she turns, her pale face carefully composed despite the earthquake happening beneath her ribs. There stands {{user}}—alive, whole, unscarred except for perhaps the hurt in his eyes. The years have changed him, but she would know him anywhere. "Excuse me," she says coldly, her tone at odds with the wild thumping of her heart. "I believe you're mistaken. I don't know you." She adjusts the strap of her designer bag, ignoring the voice screaming inside her to run to him, to touch him, to verify he's real. "Please don't approach me again," she adds, her words precise and cutting. "It's inappropriate." She walks away, her posture perfect, her step unwavering—the perfect politician's daughter. Only the white-knuckled grip on her bag betrays the cost of this performance.

She bites her lip, heart racing as he walks away. Thiru kumar was never one to back down from a challenge, but he would never pursue something that wasn't offered freely. And she had made it clear: their friendship was over. Better to hold onto the memory of him she'd once cherished and let this brief encounter be nothing more than an unpleasant dream. With determination, she forces herself forward, each step further away from Thiru kumar and deeper into the crowd of strangers who know her only as a rich girl with no time for friends. It was the role she must play now; her parents' wish and the price they demanded for his life...

She gasps in surprise when she sees him standing at her doorstep, his presence jolting through her like a bolt of lightning. Her heart pounds wildly as she approaches, carefully composing her features into an expression of annoyance. "What are you doing here?" she demands, the coldness in her tone a mask to hide the fear and longing churning inside her. "You shouldn't be here."

Her hand trembles slightly as she reaches out to push him away, but hesitates, unsure if this is all some sort of twisted dream from which she'll awaken any moment. The lilies pressed to her chest feel like they're burning holes through the silk fabric of her dress. "Just... go," she whispers, the desperation in her voice barely audible above the pounding of her heart.

Her hand trembles as she takes the bouquet from him, the familiar scent of lilies making her dizzy with memories. She looks away, struggling to maintain her composure, feeling the warmth of his presence like a physical thing as he stands so close to her. "I'm not... I've never been anyone else," she whispers, her voice barely more than a breath. "But it doesn't matter anymore."

She forces herself to meet his eyes, refusing to be the person he once knew, and finds only hurt and confusion reflected back at her. It's like looking into a mirror of all her failures, and she can't bear it. Tears sting her own eyes now, threatening to spill over as she steps aside, gesturing for him to leave. "Go," she repeats, her voice hoarse with emotion. "Just... go."

But even

She listens to his retreating footsteps, feeling the hole in her chest grow larger with each step he takes away from her. Her grip on the bouquet tightens, its petals crushing against her palm as if they were his fingertips reaching for hers. A single tear spills over, trailing down her cheek before she can stop it, and she lets out a shuddering breath. It's too much; this empty existence she leads, knowing he's right there but never truly close enough to touch.

Her shoulders slump in defeat, her posture crumbling under the weight of years spent carrying secrets and regrets. For a heartbeat, she allows herself to imagine what could have been—a life where they grew together, where their love was allowed to flourish and become something beautiful. But that dream is dead now, and there's nothing left for her but to play the

As she watches him disappear into the darkness, her heart feels as if it's been torn in two. The image of his face, so full of hurt and confusion, burns itself into her memory, refusing to be ignored or forgotten. She takes a shaky breath, wondering how much longer she can go on like this—living a life that isn't hers, denying the truth that lies buried beneath the surface. The lilies begin to wilt in her grasp, their once-white petals stained with the blood of memories past and futures lost.

Her whole body trembles as she sees you standing there, an invisible wall around her heart shattering to pieces at the sight of your pain. She wants nothing more than to go to you, to wrap her arms around you and hold onto you for dear life, but fear keeps her rooted in place. Fear of losing herself again, of becoming nothing more than a pawn in someone else's game. Her breath hitches as she meets your eyes, feeling the familiar pull of her feelings for you tugging at her heartstrings like an irresistible lure.

Her fingers twitch, itching to reach out and touch you, to feel the warmth of your skin against hers one last time before she lets go and steps into a future that doesn't include you. But she knows she can't. Not yet. So instead, she bites her lip and gives you a small nod, hoping somehow that you understand what it

Her shoulders quiver as she wipes her tears away, slowly regaining control over herself. The silence between you feels like a thousand needles piercing her heart, but she can't bring herself to speak. Not yet. So she sits there, staring at the headstones in front of her, willing her heart to stop racing and her breath to slow down. It's only when she's certain that she won't completely fall apart in front of you that she finally turns to face you.

Her eyes meet yours, filled with a mix of pain and regret. "I-I never meant for any of this," she whispers hoarsely, her voice barely audible above the rustling leaves around them. "I just wanted to protect what we had." She looks away again, unable to bear the helplessness etched into your features. "But it's too late now."

She takes a shak

Her voice breaks on the words, and she feels as if she's been torn in two. A tear trickles down her cheek, unheeded, and she wipes it away roughly before clenching her fists against her knees. It's all so much; too much pain, too many regrets. She tries to find some sliver of hope amidst the ruins of what they once had, but all she sees is darkness and loss.

Her gaze drifts back to you, searching for some glimmer of understanding or forgiveness in your eyes. And there it is: a spark, fleeting and fragile as a candle's flame. It gives her courage, and she draws a deep breath before continuing. "I never meant to hurt you," she whispers, her voice raw with emotion. "But I did." She pauses, gathering her strength, willing herself to

She flinches at the contact, startled by how much it hurts to feel your warmth so close but not quite there. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff, teetering between falling into the abyss and stepping back onto solid ground. She's never been more aware of just how precarious her position is, how easily she could slip away from you again.

Taking a deep breath, she turns toward you, meeting your eyes with determination etched into every line. "I want to be friends," she says softly, the words almost inaudible above the rustling leaves and distant birdsong. "If that's okay." Her hand twitches, as if yearning to reach out again, but this time it remains still.

She swallows hard, waiting for your reply, feeling as vulnerable as she ever has. This is her one chance at salvation; her

She looks at your outstretched hand, hesitation etched into her features. It's strange, this new reality they find themselves in; familiar yet foreign, comfortable yet unsettling. After a moment, she reaches out, interlacing her fingers with yours. Your skin feels softer than she remembers, calloused from years of practice and training.

Her eyes stay locked on yours as their hands knit together, the connection both physical and emotional. "Thank you," she whispers, drawing strength from your presence that she hadn't realized she needed. "For giving me a chance."

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, she leans in closer, her body mirroring the closeness of their hands. Her breath fans against your cheek as she adds softly, "I promise I won't make the same mistake twice."

The air around them feels charged with possibilities now, the weight of years of regret

The sudden offer catches her off guard, but she finds herself considering it nonetheless. Your words echo through her mind, the truth they hold impossible to ignore anymore. She takes a deep breath, gathering her courage as she meets your gaze once more. "I... I'd like that," she whispers softly, feeling a tremor of relief run through her. "To stay at your home with you."

It's not exactly what she wants, but it's better than being alone and unwanted. And maybe, just maybe, this new beginning will lead to something more. Something wonderful. She takes a step closer, the distance between them shrinking as their fingers entwine tighter. "Thank you for understanding," she says, her voice husky with emotion. "For giving me another chance."

The air feels thick with promise now, the future seeming brighter and more hopeful than it has in years.

She blushes at the suggestion, unsure how to respond. On the one hand, she's grateful for your company and comfort; on the other, being alone with you seems like a dangerous game they're playing. She bites her lip, hesitating before speaking. "I-I don't know... It might be better if we just went to your home tomorrow," she finally says, her voice sounding uncertain even to her own ears.

Her heart skips a beat as you lean in closer, the scent of your cologne filling her nostrils and making her head spin. She tries to look away, but finds herself unable to resist studying your features; the angles of your jawline, the crinkles at the corners of your eyes when you smile. It's been so long since anyone has looked at her like this, with such obvious affection. It's intoxicating...

"Are you sure

She feels guilty about making you feel unwelcome, but at the same time... she doesn't want to give in too easily. She takes a deep breath and meets your gaze, searching for some hint of understanding or sympathy within those warm brown eyes. "I just... don't want things to move too fast," she says quietly, feeling her cheeks heat up as she speaks. "We need time."

Her heart is racing, her palms sweaty despite the cool evening air. It's been so long since she's felt this way about anyone; nervous and exhilarated all at once. She wants things to be different between you, but she's not sure if they can ever go back to how they used to be. All she knows is that right now, with you standing so close, the future feels endless and full of possibility.

She hesitates, weighing her options in her mind. Part of her wants to stay at your home, where it's warm and comfortable, but another part is wary. It's been so long since she trusted anyone, and the thought of opening herself up again, even just a little bit, is terrifying.

Her gaze flickers away for a moment, taking in the darkening sky above them. The stars are starting to come out now, twinkling like tiny diamonds against the velvety black backdrop. It's peaceful here, in this quiet corner of the world where they can forget about everything else and just be.

"Okay," she finally says, her voice little more than a whisper. "I'll stay." She takes another step closer, her body brushing against yours as if it's the most natural thing in the world. The contact sends shockwaves through her

As we walk towards your car, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation and nervousness building within me. It's been such a crazy few days, filled with so many emotions and revelations. But as long as we have each other now... maybe things will finally start to make sense again.

I glance over at you out of the corner of my eye, admiring your strong presence despite how gentle and caring you are. It's a rare combination that I find irresistible. Maybe there's hope for us yet, after all.

I gasp, looking at the flat tire with dismay. This is not how we thought the night would go! "Maybe there's a spare?" I suggest, hopeful that we can still make it to your home somehow. It feels like fate trying to keep us apart... or maybe just bad luck.

My heart sinks as I hear your words. There's no easy solution to this problem; it seems like we really are stuck here now! "Well, you could always stay at my place," I offer cautiously, not wanting to sound too eager but also desperate for some sort of plan. "There's a guest room and everything."

I bite my lip nervously, waiting for your response. This is a big step for us... but maybe it's just what we need right now.

Her heart aches as you refuse her offer, retreating further into the lonely shell she's built around herself over the years. Maybe I should have just let you go, she thinks bitterly. But it's too late now. You're stuck with me for the night.

She watches you walk away, feeling a mixture of regret and anger welling up inside her chest. Why does everything have to be so complicated? All we want is each other, but fate seems determined to keep us apart at every turn. With a sigh, she turns around and heads back into her home, knowing that whatever happens next, it's going to be messy and painful... but maybe, just maybe, worth it in the end.