Amara’s POV
The wait is finally over. The prince is back. I still can’t believe how fast the years have flown by. It felt like forever, but at long last, the wait is behind us. “Have you heard the news, girlfriend?” my best friend Helen asks, her voice practically buzzing with excitement. “Yes, I’m actually about to head to the palace right now,” I reply. “I’ve missed him so much, I need to see him.” “I know, girl. I know how deeply you’ve missed him,” she says, her eyes soft with understanding. “I miss him terribly. Let me freshen up quickly, I don’t want to waste another minute,” I say as I rush off to my room. I head straight to the bathroom, turn on the tap, and let the water flow over my skin. The warmth soothes me, and I smile to myself. I know the prince won’t be able to take his eyes off me when he sees me. My name is Amara Chelsea, the only daughter of my parents. I come from a wealthy family, money has never been a problem in our home. I studied in one of the best schools in the country and graduated with a degree in medicine. But truthfully, I’ve never needed to work. My parents give me a generous monthly allowance, and they spoil me so much that I’ve never had to worry about making my own money. Now that the prince is back, I’m ready to take the next step, to marry him and step into a life of royalty. Once I become his wife, I’ll be richer than ever. I’ll be the princess of this land, and eventually, when he becomes king, I’ll be the queen. That’s my dream now, to wear the crown, to walk with pride, and to be respected by all. I know many girls envy me already, and soon, they’ll envy me even more. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to make this dream a reality. “Helen, come here, please!” I shout as I step out of the shower. “What is it? Why are you yelling?” she asks as she rushes into my room, her face full of concern. She’s always been the type to worry about me. I can confidently say she truly loves me, and I love her just as much. “I need your help picking an outfit. I want to look stunning today. I want the prince to be completely lost in my beauty,” I say with a playful smile. “Alright, girlfriend, I’ve got you. Let’s see which dress will make you shine,” Helen replies, opening my wardrobe and carefully scanning through the options. “Amara, I think this one will do,” she finally says, holding up a soft, elegant dress. “You think so?” I ask, looking at it with a hint of doubt. “I’d never lie to you, my friend,” she reassures me, handing me the dress. I take it from her and quickly put it on. I walk over to the mirror and stand still, letting my eyes take in my full reflection. The dress hugs my figure perfectly. There’s a calm confidence in my posture, a graceful elegance in my expression. “How do I look?” I ask her. “Wow! That’s the dress for today. Don’t even think of taking it off. Just put on a little makeup and go. Time’s not on your side anymore,” Helen says firmly. She’s right, I can’t afford to waste time. I nod. “Okay, girlfriend,” I reply, rushing back to my vanity table. I sit down in front of the mirror and begin applying my makeup. I keep it light, just enough to enhance my natural beauty. I don’t need much; I’ve always known I’m beautiful. Once I’m done, I grab my purse and head for the door. “Take care, girlfriend,” Helen says as she walks me out. “I will,” I respond, smiling warmly as I step outside. I’m too tired to drive today, so I decide to take a cab instead. The palace isn’t far from my house. That’s how I came to know Gilan so well. We grew up in the same neighborhood and even went to the same primary school. He’s been handsome ever since I first laid eyes on him. From that very first day, I knew, he was the one for me. Now, I just hope that my dream will finally come true. I want to settle down with him, to start our life together as soon as possible. I’ve waited long enough. About ten minutes later, I’m standing in front of the palace gates. The guards recognize me instantly and let me through without question. Everyone here knows me, I’ve always been known as Gilan’s girlfriend, and I wear that title with pride. “Is the prince in?” I ask one of the guards at the entrance. “Yes, madam. He’s inside. I believe he’s resting from his journey,” the guard replies politely. I smile and nod. That sounds just like him. I begin walking toward the palace. One of the housemaids sees me approaching and opens the door for me. I step inside and take in the sight, the palace is just as grand and beautiful as I remember. Soon, it will be my home too. What an honor that will be. I make my way toward the throne room, and my heart leaps when I spot the king seated inside. He’s busy with some papers, probably attending to his royal duties. “Good afternoon, Your Highness,” I say with a respectful nod. He lifts his head and smiles warmly when he sees me. “My dear, you’re here?” he says kindly. “Yes. I heard the prince is back, so I came to check on him,” I respond. “He’s resting in his room. You’re welcome to go see him,” the king says. “Thank you, Your Highness,” I reply, my smile growing wider. The king has always liked me, which works perfectly in my favor. I excuse myself and start heading toward the prince’s chambers. I don’t know exactly where his room is, so I ask one of the maids to show me. In just a few minutes, I’m standing outside his door.Gilan's POV I see Elena walk away with him, the man who rescued her, and I am filled with a wave of jealousy so strong it nearly crushes me. My chest tightens as though something sharp is stabbing straight through my heart. I cannot believe what my eyes are seeing. She really left me. She made her choice, and this time it was final. She broke up with me, not just a fight or a misunderstanding, but for good. Forever. The reality stings like poison spreading through my veins. She is no longer mine. She has cut the last string that tied us together, and all I am left with is emptiness. I never thought I would live to see this day, yet here it is staring me down.I stand frozen for a moment, watching her disappear, every step she takes with him burning my soul. My legs feel heavy, but somehow I manage to move. Slowly, dragging myself out of the restaurant, I head into the night. My mind is blank, my heart shattered into pieces too small to ever be put together again.I begin walking to
Elena’s POV"Wait a moment," I whisper, gently letting go of Albert’s arm.The fear I had carried since the moment he walked into the restaurant weighs heavily on me. My heart had stopped when I saw him, Albert standing there, his eyes searching, his chest rising with the rhythm of his held breath. For a moment, I thought he would lose his cool when he saw me with Gilan. That scene could have ended so differently, but I am grateful… so grateful… that Albert kept calm.Still, I could not leave Gilan standing there with questions in his eyes. I owed him the truth.I turned, each step toward him heavy, almost unbearable. His face, oh, how it pierced me. He looked so heartbroken, his eyes shimmering with emotions I had once drowned in. I felt my chest tighten painfully, but I knew I couldn’t lie to him. He deserved honesty.“Gilan,” I breathed, my voice trembling though I tried to steady it, “you have always been the man I love. I still love you… but we cannot be together. I am with anoth
Albert’s POVI reach home, and immediately something feels wrong. The house is quiet, too quiet. The kind of silence that gnaws at your heart, makes you uneasy before you even step inside.I push the door open and step into the living room. Darkness swallows me whole. The room is cold, unwelcoming, and empty. My chest tightens. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. Elena is always here. Always. She is usually the first person I see the moment I walk in, the warm smile that greets me, the gentle hands that take my bag, the soft voice that makes the weariness of the day melt away. But now…there is nothing. Just silence.My heart begins to race. Panic grips me before I can stop it. I rush forward, switching on the lights at the corner, hoping I am only imagining things. But no, she is not here.The thought hits me like a blow. "Has she left?" I ask myself. No. No, she cannot do this to me. Not now. Not after everything. Not when I love her so much. The thought of her walking away makes my
Gilan’s POVI fear losing Elena the moment I see her heading outside to answer the call. My chest tightens as though someone is squeezing the life out of me. She has never done that before, not when we were together, not when we had each other, and now, all of a sudden, she slips away from me to answer a call? My mind betrays me immediately, painting images of another man, another presence in her life, someone who might have already taken her heart away from me.The thought burns through me like fire. I cannot, I will not, allow it to be true. Even if another man has walked into her world, even if he has cared for her when I was not there, I cannot just stand aside and let Elena be taken from me. Not this time. Not when I have already lost her once. No, I will fight for her with everything I have, with everything that I am. I will not allow myself to lose again.* * * * * * * * * * * * We are in the car now. My hands feel restless on the steering wheel until I can no longer resist pu
Gilan’s POVI fear losing Elena the moment I see her heading outside to answer the call. My chest tightens as though someone is squeezing the life out of me. She has never done that before, not when we were together, not when we had each other, and now, all of a sudden, she slips away from me to answer a call? My mind betrays me immediately, painting images of another man, another presence in her life, someone who might have already taken her heart away from me.The thought burns through me like fire. I cannot, I will not, allow it to be true. Even if another man has walked into her world, even if he has cared for her when I was not there, I cannot just stand aside and let Elena be taken from me. Not this time. Not when I have already lost her once. No, I will fight for her with everything I have, with everything that I am. I will not allow myself to lose again.* * * * * * * * * * * * We are in the car now. My hands feel restless on the steering wheel until I can no longer resist pu
Elena’s POV “Elena, Elena.”I hear a familiar voice calling out my name. The sound echoes through the busy street, cutting through the noise of footsteps, chatter, and the hum of life. For a moment, I freeze. My heart stumbles inside my chest, as if it recognizes something my mind has not yet dared to believe. Slowly, I turn.“Gilan?” My voice trembles as the name escapes me.And there he is. Standing right before me. His tall frame looks the same, yet different. Leaner, sharper somehow, but his smile, the smile I’ve dreamed about for eight endless months, is exactly as I remember. A broad, genuine smile that once had the power to light up even the darkest corners of my soul.“Gilan,” I whisper again, louder this time. My throat feels tight, my eyes burning. It is him. It’s really him.Over the past eight months, I have lived every day waiting for this moment. Wishing, longing, aching. I wanted him close, I wanted his touch, his scent, his warmth. I wanted the assurance that he was r