A letter to the post man

I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart racing as the remnants of the dream faded away. It was all a bad dream—a cruel, fleeting vision of something that could never be real. Damian would never think of getting romantic with me.

I knew the truth. I looked just like his lover—her face, her features—but that was all I shared with her. I wasn't her. I could never be her. So why had I let my mind wander there? Why had I even thought about the possibility? It was ridiculous. I was in love with Nath. He was the man I adored with all my heart, the man who had been my anchor, my everything. And yet, here I was, caught in a situation that felt impossible to escape.

Back in the city, Nath couldn't rest. He hadn't slept properly since my disappearance. His usually sharp focus on his company and responsibilities was nowhere to be found. Every thought, every breath, was consumed by the need to find me. His mind was clouded with worry, and his heart ached with frustration.

It wasn't just Nath who was searching for me. My father, upon learning of my disappearance, had mobilized more police officers to aid in the search. His worry was evident in every action he took, in every word he spoke. The weight of the situation had aged him visibly, but he refused to give up.

Diana, too, was deeply concerned. She tried to maintain a facade of calm for everyone else, but the fear in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. She glanced at the door often, hoping for any sign of good news.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sylvester, ever the strategist, suggested that Alex and Archie move into his mansion to be closer to the command center for the search efforts. Alex initially protested, his pride refusing to let him accept such charity. But the concern etched into his features betrayed him, and eventually, he relented. His love for me outweighed his objections.

Nath, however, faced another dilemma. His father-in-law, Mr. Khan, had called him with an urgent request.

"Hello, Nath," Mr. Khan's voice had been calm but firm.

"Hello, sir," Nath replied, though the strain in his tone was evident.

"I hope everything is well there, but there's an emergency board meeting that requires your attendance. You're needed here as soon as possible."

Before Nath could respond, Mr. Khan ended the call. The abruptness left Nath feeling even more torn. He had a responsibility to his company and to Mr. Khan, but his promise to Alex and his desperate need to find me weighed heavier on his heart.

"I can't leave," he muttered to himself, gripping the photo of me that he carried everywhere. "I won't leave without her."

Back in the woods, Damian had become my unlikely ally. Despite being the man who had kidnapped me and caused me so much pain, he was also the one helping me now. I didn't trust him entirely—how could I?—but I couldn't ignore the complexity of his actions.

"I'll take you back," Damian said one evening, his voice low but resolute. "But no one can know it was me. You'll have to tell the police I had nothing to do with your disappearance."

I studied him, trying to read his expression. Despite everything, there was a strange sincerity in his voice.

"I will," I said softly, surprising even myself. "But on one condition."

His brows furrowed. "What?"

"You let me help you find her," I replied, my voice steadier than I expected. "The woman who betrayed you."

Damian's jaw tightened, his gaze hardening at the mention of her. Reina. The woman who had destroyed his life.

"I don't need your help," he said coldly.

But I saw the flicker of emotion in his eyes, the pain he was trying so hard to bury. Damian was complicated—a mix of anger, sorrow, and a sense of justice that I couldn't fully understand.

That night, he suggested we leave the woods under the cover of darkness. His plan was precise, every step calculated to avoid drawing attention to him. He followed me silently, his presence a quiet reassurance as we made our way back toward the city.

When we finally reached the outskirts of the city, I stopped outside the house Alex and I lived in. But as I approached, my heart sank. The house was empty. No lights. No sign of life.

"They're not here," I whispered to myself, panic creeping into my voice.

Damian watched me silently, waiting. Then, as if a lightbulb went off in my head, I realized where they must be.

"My father's mansion," I said, turning to him.

He nodded, saying nothing, and continued to follow me as I made my way to my father's estate. His silence was comforting in its own way—a steady presence that I hadn't realized I needed.

When we reached the gates of the mansion, I stopped and turned to him. This was it. My journey with Damian was over.

"Will I ever see you again?" I asked, my voice trembling. I already knew the answer. He wouldn't let me get involved in his life. His path was too dark, too dangerous.

"Sure," he said quietly, though the sadness in his tone betrayed him.

Before he could step away, I ran to him, wrapping my arms around him in a tight embrace. Damian stiffened at first, clearly caught off guard. But then, slowly, he relaxed, his arms hovering awkwardly before finally resting lightly on my back.

I pulled away just enough to look up at him. "Thank you," I whispered, tears streaming down my face.

Damian's expression softened for the briefest moment, and I thought I saw his eyes glisten. But just as quickly, the moment was gone. He stepped back, turned, and disappeared into the shadows without another word.

I watched him go, my heart heavy. I knew I might never see him again. But even if I didn't, I would never forget him—the man who had caused me so much pain, yet somehow, in the end, became my savior.

When I turned back to the mansion and stepped inside, I was met with a flurry of emotions. My father's worried eyes, Diana's tearful relief, Alex's angry but loving embrace—it was all overwhelming. But through it all, my thoughts drifted back to Damian.