LEERA POV

I'm internally screaming and wailing but there is no tear in my eyes as if I'm used to overwhelming with deep dejection. I'm literally empty at this point.

Everybody left, I'm glad everybody left. Elena was telling me not to be anxious, he'll be okay, before going and I was mentally jeering myself because I'm the maniac who did it.

I'm in our bed that we have been sharing all these nights. Biting my lip, I clench the pillow tighter to my chest and close my eyes only to meet his ones in illusion. His grey orbs so mesmerising, deeper than the Pacific Ocean.

I deliberately recall our last stare. Before he went away, he looked at me, directly into my eyes. I didn't fail to detect the hint of dismay as if he didn't expect me to take such a big step and despondency swimming in his eyes. Not a hint of fury or ferocity, he was calm as fuck. Not what I expected after all.

As long as he held my gaze, be it for the shortest time interval I felt as if my world was falling apart. My mind was weeping doefully and I felt my remaining heart shattering into smallest pieces. Why is reality so cruel? Why don't I have enough fortitude to endure this?

Without a single word he went with them. The crowd was staring at him and his reputation was already diminished but still I didn't get the peace I sought rather I felt the exact opposite. I felt as if I'm the one mutilated not him. There's nothing I have gained tainting his reputation and him, when I thought I can at least justify to myself that I'm satisfied because his reputation and power is everything to him.

Maybe because I couldn't prove that he is the murder of Levi yet? Murderer of Levi. Murderer of Levi. He is a killer. An inhuman. I try to remind myself to rationalise that whatever I did was right and suddenly tears flood my eyes.

"Why?" I ask I don't even know what answer is this why seeking. My eyes set on his picture's photoframe on the nightstand. I get up and taking the frame, I stare at his picture, "Why Aze why did you do all these? I forgave you for everything, didn't I? We were happy, weren't we? We could be living a good life. We could be such a beautiful family. Why did you have to be such a reckless monster? Did you ever really love me?" His voice is echoing in my head, saying how much he loves me.

"Lies and lies. Everything's a lie." When I couldn't stare at it anymore, the frame is smashed on the floor, shattered into pieces, just like my heart. My head isn't functioning at all.

And then I jerk off the expensive neckless he gifted me for my birthday, hurting myself and drawing out tiny amount of blood from my neck in the process. The lock of the necklace broke and my blood stains are in it. Even though tears are falling down my eyes, I smile tossing it on the floor like a sadistic. Then my wedding ring is on the floor too. I can't take it anymore. I'm feeling restless.

I can't breath. I can't think. I'm insane.

I stare at the shattered glass pieces of the frame with his picture, "I hope you get what you deserve. I will never forgive you for what you have done. This was nothing and maybe it can't even do anything much to you, except taint your reputation in front of some people. But I'll gather evidence from fucking anywhere and prove that you are the killer of Levi."

* * * * * *

Holding my breath, I submerge my head under water for a long while. Slowly my eyes close and relax. I feel the small bubbles rise to the surface as I exhale. The warm water is making me feel completely weightless. As if it's carrying my burdens for me, understanding that I need a moment to relieve the heaviness in my head.

My face breaks the surface of water when I couldn't stay in anymore. I'm huffing. Then I calm down inhaling small, even breaths to help steady my mind.

I don't know what time is it but I can predict that the sun has risen by the chirping sound of birds. I don't even know how long I have been here for. It's cold even if the water is warm. I don't feel like I'm in sound mind, I just feel some sort of sereneness here.

I sink my face below the water again. I could live here forever, I think. Live where there is no one to agonize me, where I am untethered by the chains of this lacklustre life.

I sink deeper and after a moment I notice a small sound, particularly a knock. "Mrs. Pavano?" Came in Clara's voice, our housekeeper.

She is just a few years old than me. She's very amiable and a person anyone would love being with. I usually spend most of the time gossiping with her randomly when I have nothing to do here.

The door is open but she doesn't peep inside. I take a deep breath before getting up and wearing the shower dress. Then I get out of the bathtub. "The shattered frame and glass pieces? Are you alright?" She asks worried, searching my face.

"Yeah. Accidentally. Can you please cleanup the mess?" "Sure." She can clearly take a hint that something is wrong but says nothing. She can understand reading my face that I don't want to talk right now.

I get to the closet and start filling a luggage with my clothes and essentials. I need to get out of here before he comes back. I have already wasted enough time. I dial Louis's number but it's unreachable for unknown reason. I don't fear dying at this point. I only have one fear, that what if Louis faces his wrath for assisting me. I can't let that happen!

After putting on a dress and combing my hair, I compose myself. If he gets here he would never let me leave and I don't know how his reaction would be. I am not afraid of him, I'm afraid of the thought what if I give up which I have been fighting for.

Lastly taking my sidebag, I drag the luggage down, when out of no where Remor appears standing infront of me, "You are not allowed to go anywhere Ma'am. It's sir's order."

"Damn with that. Who are you to stop me?" Rolling my eyes I pass past him and see the door is locked and there's several other guards. "What the hell? Open the door. I'm going to my parent's house and Azezal knows about that." I try lying for once. "Ma'am sorry, we have been instructed to secure this place and not let you outside by sir himself." He says in a formal tone. But I won't give up and I'll get out of here, "Fine."

* * * * * *

"Do you think they will believe me?" Clara asks tilting her eyebrows. "Of course they will. All you have to do is give this car key to my friend who will be in the basement and then tell them that when you were leaving, you saw me fleeing through the backdoor and escaping with the car. They will surely go after her believing it to be me." I explain her the plan.

"But what if they suspect me and check the CCTV footage." She remarks. "They won't have time for that. And this apartment is huge I'll hide anywhere. Right when they all will go after my friend thinking it to be me, I'll get out of here."

"Alright." She says and before she leaves I call her name, "Clara, thankyou for helping me without questioning anything. I will always be grateful for that." She smiles, "My pleasure. You are a generous woman and I don't think whatever you're doing would be anything wrong. Surely there might be any reason behind." My lips curl up in a genuine smile this time, "Thankyou again for understanding."

I just hope Aria handles everything.

"Aria is in town. She didn't come?" One of my friends ask. "Oh I wasn't in contact with her for the last few weeks. Haven't talked to her lately so didn't know she is in town." I hate how most of them gave me that sympathy look as if I'm a loner person who end up losing both of her best friends. Yeah true. And seems like it was only me who didn't know about Levi's accident and now that Aria is also not in the party, of course they are making an assumption that our trio is entirely splitted which is also true. And I hate it more here.

I'm glad I got to know Aria is in Newyork anyway. I called Aria before I attempted to leave. I told her everything and as like before she's there to help me. She told me how much she missed us. We were both tearing apart when we were talking about Levi and our old moments. We made up a plan to get me out of here. The plan is she'll dressup like me and wear a scarf to hide her face. Then she'll drive away one of Azezal's car and when they will be after her, I'll easily get out of here. Rather than that she said she'll take care of everything else.

I'm only praying for the plan to succeed now.

* * * * * *

I take my luggage and bag when the surrounding sounds silent. Slowly taking aware steps, I come down the stairs finding it to be empty. I let a relief sigh out and thank god several times as everything exactly worked according to our plan.

I put the password on the door lock. It clicks open and I open it widely only for an incredulous gasp to leave my mouth as my eyes settle on the person behind the door. I'm stunned in my place, unable to believe he's standing right in front of me. It's like I got the keys to unbound my chains after prolonged endeavoring but again lost it promptly before I untether. My eyes trail up his black shirt meeting his grey orbs. My heart skips a beat and I forget how to breath.

His hair ruffled, and his condition is disheveled but he still manages to seem fresh and brand new. His expensive masculine cologne pervades the air, filling my nose due to our proximity.

I take a step back as he takes a step forward, I take another step back as he takes another step forward and then the door closes behind with a thud while he's still boring his eyes into mine. "Seems like you're going somewhere, wifey?" He sounds calm, quite suspicious. I take a long breath and my mouth dries up before I can speak.

His one eyebrow lift up and his hands bury inside his pockets as I remain silent. "You even managed to get all of my men out of here? Oh my tough girl. Impressive." He says and I don't know if it was meant to be ironic or simple admiration of how clever I'm. All I know is my mind is completely blank and I want to get out of here anyhow.

His phone rings up before he can say anything else. Holding his phone to his ear, he listens to the other person speaking on the call that I know must be those black suited assholes informing him about my escape.

His eyes remain fixed on me. He nods more likely to me, "She's with me. Stop chasing that car. And I don't need you fools here anymore." Cutting the call, he removes his blazer and tosses it on the floor like it ain't worth million dollars.

"So where were we?" He rolls up his sleeves taking one more step towards me, compelling me to take few more steps back. I finally get some courage to speak, "What are you trying to do huh? Scare me?-" He's too close, "Stay away from me." "Neither I'm trying to scare you nor I'll stay away from you."

I don't realize when I got stuck between him and a settee "Don't you dare touch me, Azezal." "I have every right to touch you. I'm your husband." His eyes darken as if my words hurt him but he presses himself against me nevertheless.

"You don't have the right anymore. I don't consider you my husband. A murderer like you can't be my husband." I push at his chest attempting to make space between us but he doesn't budge at all.

"Leera-" He tries to hold my face but I shove his hands away. "Don't take my name and don't fucking touch me." I hear myself say more like shout.

I close my eyes for a moment, knowing my eyes are red now. I bite onto my lip to not let a sob out before I look into his eyes again and point at his chest. "You don't have a heart Azezal, you don't. I was wrong about you. You can never change. A liar, always a liar. You can never love anyone." The words slipped out of my mouth only to pierce through my heart. Hurt unveiling in his face as if my words stung him as much as it did me.

I try to push past him again but he grips my wrist, "We need to talk, Leera."

"I have nothing to talk about. Leave my hand." "I wanted to tell you-" I jerk off my hand out of his grasp. "I don't want to hear anything from you. I can no longer stand your lies."

He tries again, "I never lied to you-" "I want to leave. I can't stay here a second longer." His hands wrap around my waist when I turn around, backhugging me. His warmness engulfs me in which I always found refuge in, philia in. I feel his breath on the back of my neck and it’s killing me to be so close to him. "Just hear me once, will you?" I close my eyes and tears stream down in no time.

"Please." He murmurs in a calm tone, still I keep trying to get his hands off me. "Please,” he says again, this time more softly, and my resolve runs out the door without me. "What's left to hear? You are a murderer Azezal, a fucking murderer. You killed him." A sob escapes my mouth, "You killed Levi."

His hold loosens around my waist and then he takes my hand in his, "Come with me." I can't look into his eyes, that's how much I'm hurting. I don't say anything as he pulls me out the main door, and then we are in the elevator.

Reaching in front of his car, he opens the door for me and makes me seat in the passenger seat. Then he brings live to the engine. I don't ask where is he taking me and I don't know why I'm even allowing him to take me.

I'm drown in thoughts, dried tears in my cheeks, light breaths, and my head is a complete maze. The car ceases all of a sudden. I don't know how long we have been in the car cause I was hallucinating the whole time. He comes to my side, opens the door. Again my hand is in his and he is pulling me inside a mansion which appears to be familiar. It's one of his many mansions and I have been here before, that too years back.

We are inside the mansion and then up the stairs and he takes me to a room which appears to be a guest room and stops infront of a bookshelf. My mouth hangs open as he pulls a blue book and the shelf opens like a magic hidden door. I stare at it and then at him, astonished.

He takes one step inside but I'm rooted to the floor, unmoving. "You'll be fine. Come with me." He assures me and then I take one step inside the dark hollow. There is stairs which lead down. Discerning my hesitation, his hold on my hand tightens as he guides me down the dark stairs.

Then there is another door where there is a biometric hand scanner. He puts his hand in it and the metallic door opens instantly. I can't comprehend what's happening.

The light flashes as the door opens and it's not dark anymore. He let's go of my hand. He goes inside first and I follow him steadily, trying to perceive what is this place. My ears caught the beeping sound of the EKG monitor first and then my eyes fall on the medical equipments and machines all over the room.

I remain thunderstruck for a while, trying to decipher what I'm seeing when my eyes reach the human figure on the bed and sensors of EKG are connected to his body which record the electrical signals that make the heartbeat.

I'm voiceless, and my eyes can't move from him. I'm refusing to believe my own eyes. I'm hallucinating again. I tell myself. How is this possible?

It's like after ages I find my voice again, "Le-vi?" I go near him to examine his face, to know if all these are illusion again. "Levi isn't death." I hear him say from behind me.

"He is in coma and we are expecting his quick recovery even we can't assure when it will be. His head has been injured very bad," The doctor says who I didn't notice standing here before.

I touch his face finding it dry. His eyes are closed as if he's in a deep slumber. I smile with tears sliding down my cheeks, seeing him breathing through the oxygen nasal cannula and that's when I really believe he is alive. I can't express what I'm feeling right now as if god himself gifted me a second life. He is not death. He is not death. Levi is alive!

I feel Azezal come to my side and take my hand in his promptly, "He will be alright soon. I made sure he gets the best doctors and the best treatment here." I press my face in his chest and his hands confine me caringly.

"Shush" he moves his hand along my back comforting me like I'm a child. It's a different kind of consolation and tranquility I feel in his arms. And the most paradoxical part of it is, He is the one to distress me, also he is the one I find solace in.

* * * * * *

We haven't spoken a word since we got home, the very place which I was planning to escape just an hour or two ago.

I get in bed, turn to the other side, pulling the duvet over my body and after a few moments I feel the other side of bed dip. "I'm sorry, Leera." No words leave my mouth. "I know however I apologise won't be enough for you to forgive me. I never lied to you but I had to hide the truth for his safety even if I didn't intend to."

I don't know if I'm supposed to say it's absolutely fine. You can literally make someone disappear from the world's eyes and also hide it from your own wife.

"What's the difference here? Lying and hiding the truth?" I query him lowly not facing him yet. Pain reflecting my words. "If I told you before about it, you would have wanted to visit him rapidly and there were chances of him getting attacked again. I didn't want to risk his life."

"Tell me why his life is at risk in the first place? What has he ever done? He doesn't deserve any of this, not even the condition he is in now. But he faced the worst just because he is my friend. Doesn't that make me a culprit too?" My voice is breaking even though I'm trying to stay calm.

He doesn't speak. "You are the one to blame here, Aze. You ruined his life. He is fighting a life death situation just because of you." He silently listens to me not uttering a word. "Can your apologies bring back the life he was leading back then? Did you ever think of what his family might have went through? Can you think of what I have been through when I got to know he was death from a stupid article? I was crazy, insane and you know exactly how my condition was but didn't know the cause of it."

"You have no idea how I felt, Aze, how I felt knowing my own husband killed my bestfriend, moreover I had no idea about his death," I half heartedly laugh, "God, none deserve to experience this even in their nightmares."

"Aze, whether you believe it or not, Levi means to me a lot, more like a brother I never had. He has done so much for me and he gets his this condition in return for being my friend. Hysterical right?"

"You forced me into this marriage, blackmailing me with him. You said he will be all fine and you will release him after I marry you." He finally speaks, "Leera, it was never meant to be that way. When he was under my captive, there was an attack where he was kept and they tried to kill him."

"Must be your enemies, I guess." I say tauntingly. "I wonder when they will kill me too." I'm turned around in a jerk abruptly as soon as the words left my mouth and now I'm facing him. He stares into my eyes and that's when I notice his eyes are blood red, "I would never let that happen Leera, even if the entire world burns down, I would not let a flame touch you." A

nd I want to laugh and laugh and laugh until the tears dissolve me.

"How long can you keep me trapped in these four walls just because you have bunch of foes in every road and street, every corner of this world? And why should I be scared of anyone else when the person I should be scared of is my own husband who has blood of thousands of people in his hands who he killed like fucking animals." I don't recognize my own voice.

"The first time I saw you unalive a person I couldn't believe my eyes, now I'm impotent to deny that I'm married to death itself. You're full of sin and lies but nevertheless I loved you and you didn't value that love."

"You know how I feel? I feel like I'm dirty with sins I never did, dragons I didn't slay, transgression I had no hand on. And the worst of all, the thought that our child will inherit this sin, I can't tolerate that." I don't know what I'm meaning to say cause the words are making sense themselves before I can even comprehend where I'm taking this.

"Everything that ever happened between us might have been truth or misunderstanding from the beginning. But the dreams aren't still able to recover, be the same, maybe not in the future too. When you'll realise it your own, it will be too late." My voice shakes and I gulp down a lump a saliva. His eyes are unblinking, holding my gaze and it's tearing me up more and more. Staring into his eyes and saying the words is so fucking tough and it hurts like hell. Hurts so bad.

"Then the repentance, penitence will bring you affliction, Take your life But will leave you no sympathy."

I have never been more shock in my life than I'm now when I see a tiny drop of water at the corner of his eye. My heart clenches tigher than before. It's the first time in my lifetime I saw a single tear in his eye and I'm the cause of it.

I bite my lip or else I know I'll be whimpering. I know I'm hurting him while I'm hurting myself. I might be looking so silly with these tears. "Leera, close your eyes. I don't want to look away but I can't stare at them any longer too." He mutters and the ache in my heart gets multiplied more hundred times. And I listen to him. I close my eyes.

* * * * * * *

My eyes abruptly open as my slumber breaks. I'm breathing heavily. I look at the clock, 5 minutes till its 3 AM. Its late night. He's sound asleep. I take a closer view of his face and he looks like he's in a deep sleep.

I slowly get up from bed, trying to find my breath. Whatever I saw in the nightmare, I can't let that happen. He's for sure gonna kill Louis if he gets the hint that Louis is behind all these. I try to call his number again, but it's still unreachable. Did he do anything to him? No if he did he would have said already. But I need to inform Louis that Levi isn't dead and what if he does anything else against Azezal not knowing the truth. I need to stop him and tell him to get far from here before Azezal finds out everything. I can't risk his life.

Taking my pursue I'm out of the main door. I don't take my phone cause I don't want him to find me. I'll be back before he knows.

It's dark and cold. Late night. Somewhat I'm regretting being out now but after I got an uber I'm somewhat relaxed. I didn't take his car cause he might know where I have gone and I can't let that happen. Also very few ubers are available at this time, so I'm lucky to have one.

When I reached the destination, I paid the driver who seemed like a decent man. "Thankyou for the safe drive." I would have been really afraid being out at this hour if the driver wasn't good.

I'm at Louis doorstep when I ring the bell several times and it opens. I thought he might be sleeping but he seems he's wide awake, that too with a bright smile playing on his lips as if he was expecting a guest. "Come inside." I go inside. "I have been waiting for you." He says closing the door.

I blink my eyes in confusion, "How did you know I was coming?" "Heart to heart conversation?" He chuckles seeing me perplexed, "kidding. Come let's get some drinks." He goes inside and I follow behind him. "I'm not here for drinks." "I know. But we can converse over drinks?" He fills a glass forwarding it to me.

"I don't want to drink now." "I'll get you coffee then." "There's no need-" he's already in the kitchen. "Reserve the talks until I come back with your coffee." Now I'm waiting for him fighting the time.

Right after two minutes he's back with coffee and he hands me a mug. "Thanks, Louis." "First taste the coffee and appreciate how is it. Then I'll take your thanks." He sits opposite to me with a wine glass.

"Mhm. It's good." I say taking a sip of the hot coffee, almost burning my tongue with haste. I'm running out of time.

"Levi is not dead." I tell him without wasting anymore time. "Hmm. So you got to know." I look at his calm reaction muddledly, "What do you mean by you got to know? Did you know it before?"

"I have known it all the time, darling." He takes a sip of his wine. "What? What are you saying Louis?" "I knew he wasn't dead. I just didn't know where your husband kept him. But that's of no use to me anymore, cause you're already in my hands." A wicked smirk plays on his lips and suddenly he feels so cruel.

"I don't understand anything-" I touch my head, feeling it suddenly spinning and my sight blurs. I blink my eyes Once. Twice. Thrice. Everything is still hazy. When I realize it's all a trap and I'm the one to dug my own grave it's too late. Then darkness eventually starts consuming me, black stars fill my vision, I can no longer feel myself.

________________________________________

Not edited :/

Hey lovies! Here's the update and only 2 chapters are remaining. Omfg I wanna cry.

So what's your assumption about the ending now? What are you guys expecting it to be like? Did you guys expect Louis to be the villain btw? Haha

And please show love in the last few chapters and do share your POV through comments. *puppy eyes* I love reading those!

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