He returned from work, exhausted but trying to mask it.

"You came!" Maya said excitedly, moving toward him with a wide smile. "You're so late." She reached up to touch his arm.

"Yeah," he muttered, but gave her a warm smile as she wrapped her arms around him. "I missed you," he replied softly, pulling her closer in a way that seemed natural.

Maya pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "Why did you start going to the office so quickly? You should've taken more time off."

"You know how it is, Maya. You've seen how the work flows, and there’s just so much to get done," he said, brushing her concern aside with a gentle tone.

"Right... still, I just wanted to spend more time with you," she sighed, holding onto his arm, her affection evident in the way she lingered close to him.

"I'm here now, so we can spend all the time you want," he said, offering her a soft smile, though his eyes flickered with a hint of distraction. He leaned in, planting a quick kiss on her forehead. Maya beamed, content with his response.

As she leaned up to kiss his cheek, Chase smiled in return, though it was subtle, almost reflexive. His eyes lit up in a way they hadn’t earlier when Maya casually mentioned, "Petal is staying with us for a while."

He paused, his body subtly shifting with renewed interest. "Oh? Petal’s still here?" His voice carried a spark of curiosity that hadn’t been there a moment before.

Maya noticed the slight change in him but mistook it for simple interest. "Yeah, she’ll be staying for a while longer," she said, smiling.

Chase’s lips curved into a genuine smile this time, his eyes sparkling with a quiet excitement he tried to contain. "That's great," he replied, his tone lighter, more relaxed.

"I hope you don't mind," Maya added cautiously, searching his face.

"Why would I mind, Maya?" he replied quickly, his tone more eager than necessary. His gaze softened as he spoke, but the excitement was clear. He hugged her a little tighter, as if to mask his sudden shift in mood.

"She can stay as long as she wants," Chase replied smoothly, the smile never leaving his face. His fingers lightly brushed against Maya's shoulder, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.

Maya laughed softly, hugging him again. "I should have asked you first, but I didn’t think it would be a problem."

Chase chuckled, pretending to dismiss her worry. "You know I don’t mind," he said, though his thoughts had already drifted to Petal.

Maya gazed at him with love, unaware of the depth of his thoughts. "I didn’t think you would," she said with a grin.

"Are you hungry?" she asked, brushing a hand through his hair with affection.

"Starving," he replied, though his excitement wasn’t really for food.

"Go get changed, and I'll set the table," Maya said, kissing him quickly on the lips before turning away with a smile.

......

Chase shook his head, letting out a deep sigh. He moved toward his room, but as he walked, his eyes caught the sight of a slightly open door. Through the narrow gap, he could see someone lying on the sofa, and immediately, a soft smile tugged at his lips.

Without a second thought, he made his way toward the room. Petal wasn’t completely lying down; she was sitting on the sofa near the window, a cozy blanket wrapped around her. A book rested on her chest, its pages crumpled as though she had fallen asleep mid-read. Her face was turned toward the door, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the large glass window. The dim room felt ethereal, almost dreamlike, with the moon casting delicate shadows around her, illuminating her skin in a way that made her look breathtaking, serene, almost untouchable.

Chase stepped closer, his heart swelling with emotions he could no longer contain. He gently pulled a chair and sat down beside her, careful not to make a sound. She was in deep sleep, her breathing steady and peaceful, completely unaware of his presence.

"God, I missed you," he whispered softly, his voice almost drowned by the stillness of the room. His eyes traced her face, mesmerized by the way the moonlight kissed her features. Her long lashes rested gently against her cheeks, her lips slightly parted as she slept soundly, so unaware of his presence.

Without waking her, he reached out, his fingers lightly brushing against her skin as he moved a few strands of hair away from her face. The delicate touch sent a shiver through him, as though her mere proximity had a magnetic pull he couldn’t resist.

"You missed me too, right?" he asked, his voice barely audible, as though speaking any louder would break the spell of the moment. He smiled, watching her sleep, knowing she couldn’t hear him but finding comfort in speaking to her anyway.

"Look at you," he breathed, his eyes lingering on her peaceful face. "You've grown up so well."

He leaned back slightly, his gaze never leaving her as he continued. "How were these last two years without me?" His tone shifted, soft and wistful. "I know you forget everything  and as much as I want to deny it, I bet you were happy without me... weren't you?"

He paused, searching her sleeping face for an answer, though he knew none would come.

"You forgot everything," he murmured, his fingers grazing the book that lay on her chest. " you don’t even remember how we used to be." He smiled bitterly, shaking his head as he admired the way she looked so peaceful, so untouched by the chaos he had brought into her life.

"I don’t blame you. Maybe it's better this way... for you at least." His hand hovered near her, wanting to touch her again, but he hesitated. "But I could never forget you. Not for a moment."

The room was silent except for the soft sound of her breathing and the occasional rustle of leaves from outside. The tranquility only made his love for her swell, an emotion so overwhelming it filled the quiet space between them.

"I love you, Petal," he confessed, his voice raw with feeling. "I always have. And no matter what happens, I always will."

He sighed, leaning closer, his eyes drinking in every detail of her—the way her chest gently rose and fell, the softness of her features under the moonlight. "I wish I could keep you like that forever, away from everything, where it’s just the two of us."

For a moment, he reached out as though he might touch her again, but instead, he pulled back, his expression softening as he let the moment linger.

Chase was still talking when he noticed Petal flinching in her sleep. Her body trembled, and she gripped the book tightly in her hands, her knuckles turning white. He paused, watching her closely as she began to shiver, her breaths becoming rapid and uneven.

"Is she...?" he muttered under his breath, realizing what was happening. She was trapped in another nightmare.

---

They were in the car. It was pitch black outside, the road ahead swallowed by the darkness. Chase was driving, but it wasn’t normal driving—he was speeding, dangerously fast, his grip on the steering wheel tight, knuckles white with rage. The car roared like a beast as it flew down the empty road, and Petal was crying, shaking violently in the passenger seat. Her body pressed against the door, her heart racing, and her hands clutched at her seatbelt as if it could somehow protect her.

"Please,  Let me go, for God's sake!" she sobbed, her voice barely above a whisper, her whole body trembling as she dared to speak.

"Stop your drama!" Chase's voice cut through the air like a knife, sharp and dangerous. His eyes, wild with anger, flicked toward her briefly. "How dare you even think about leaving me?"

Her breath hitched in her throat, her tears falling faster now as she turned toward the window, desperately searching for an escape. But the doors were locked. The windows sealed. There was nowhere to go. The world outside was nothing but darkness, endless and terrifying.

"You will never leave me!" Chase roared, his voice shaking with fury. "Never!"

Petal flinched at his words, her heart pounding so hard she could barely breathe. "Please" she begged, her voice trembling as she reached out a hand toward him, her fingers shaking uncontrollably. "For God's sake, please..."

But Chase wasn’t listening. He grabbed her wrist with one hand, yanking her closer to him, while still steering the car with the other. The grip on her wrist was painfully tight, his fingers digging into her skin. "Never, never, never," he shouted in her face, his voice booming, terrifying. Petal could smell the rage radiating off him, could feel the danger in the air.

Her sobs grew louder, her body shaking so violently she could barely form words. She pulled at her wrist, trying to free herself from his iron grip, but he only tightened his hold. "Stop struggling!" he bellowed, his voice echoing in the small space of the car.

The road ahead stretched into the unknown, completely empty. They were nearing something—she could feel it in the pit of her stomach, a sickening dread building as they got closer. Her breath became more ragged, her chest tightening with fear.

"Please, don’t take me back there," she whimpered, her voice so small, so fragile, it was barely audible.

But he didn’t listen. He never listened.

"Please, Chase!" she cried out, her tears blurring her vision as she turned to him, her eyes wide with terror. "Please, I’m begging you!"

He glanced at her, his eyes cold, unrelenting. "You can beg all you want," he snarled.

Her heart dropped, and she knew there was no escape. No matter how much she begged, no matter how many tears she shed, he would never let her go. The car came to a sudden halt, the screech of the tires tearing through the silence. They had arrived.

Petal’s heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst. She didn’t want to get out. She didn’t want to face the terror that awaited her beyond that car door. She knew that if she went back there, this time, there would be no escape.

Chase got out of the car without a word, slamming his door shut. She watched him walk around to her side, her entire body paralyzed with fear. She couldn’t stop crying, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she tried to hold on to something—anything—that could stop this nightmare from becoming real.

He reached her door and tried to open it, but Petal held it shut with all her strength. It was a futile effort, though. With one harsh pull, he yanked the door open. Her strength was no match for his rage.

"Please..." she whispered, backing away into her seat, her whole body trembling.

But Chase didn’t hesitate. He grabbed her wrist again, his fingers digging into her skin as he dragged her out of the car. She stumbled, her legs barely holding her up as he pulled her toward the building in the distance. The sight of it made her blood run cold—it was dark and foreboding, looming like a monster in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing around them, only the vast emptiness of the night.

The closer they got, the more Petal struggled. She pulled against his grip, trying to break free, her heart racing faster and faster. "Please, Chase! Please don’t take me back there!" she screamed, her voice hoarse from crying, her body shaking uncontrollably.

But he didn’t stop. He didn’t even slow down.

Her sobs turned into desperate gasps for air, her entire body trembling as they reached the front of the building. It towered over her, its shadow swallowing her whole. She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think.

"Now you’ll never get out," Chase growled, pulling her roughly toward the entrance. His eyes flashed with anger, and Petal’s heart sank even further. This was it. She knew once she stepped inside, there would be no escape.

Her eyes darted to the door, and she saw the button. The same button she had seen in Chase’s room. Her breath hitched in her throat as he pressed it. The door began to open, the creak of the hinges sounding like the toll of a death bell.

"No," she whimpered, shaking her head, her legs giving out beneath her. She didn’t know what awaited her inside, but whatever it was, it was worse than anything she had ever faced.

"No, please!" she screamed, her voice raw,  as she begged.

---

"Petal! Wake up!" Chase’s voice broke through the nightmare, pulling her back to reality.

But she didn’t wake. Her trembling only grew worse, her sobs shaking her entire body as she remained trapped in the darkness of her dream.

"Petal, wake up!" Chase shouted again, this time grabbing her shoulder roughly and shaking her hard, his grip tight and desperate. "Wake up!"

Suddenly, Petal gasped, her eyes snapping open. She took a deep, shaky breath, her body jerking awake as she inhaled sharply, her chest heaving with sobs.

Her vision was blurry, her surroundings unclear, but when she looked at Chase, her heart skipped a beat in terror. For a moment, he looked just like the man from her nightmare—his face, his posture, his presence. Everything about him was the same. She recoiled, her body shrinking back in fear, her mind still tangled in the dream.

"No... you can’t be real. You can’t be," she cried, pushing herself away from him, her body trembling violently as she tried to hide herself in the corner of the sofa.

"Petal, it’s me," Chase said, his voice hard at first, then softening with worry as he saw her fear.

"Don’t touch me!" she sobbed, pulling her knees to her chest as she pressed herself into the cushions. "Please... don’t touch me."

"Petal," Chase said again, frustration and concern lacing his voice. He knelt beside her, trying to catch her gaze.

"I said no!" she cried, but her voice was weaker now, more fragile.

"Petal, open your eyes. It’s me." He reached out and grabbed her arm firmly, not allowing her to pull away this time.

Slowly, hesitantly, Petal opened her eyes wider. Her vision was still blurry, but as Chase’s face came into focus, her breath caught in her throat.

"Chase?" she whispered, her voice shaking.

"Yeah, it’s me," he said, trying to steady his voice, giving her a small, comforting smile. "You’re safe. Relax."

He reached for a glass of water from the nearby table and handed it to her. "Here, drink this."

She stared at him for a moment, then slowly took the glass with trembling hands, her fingers barely steady enough to hold it. She brought it to her lips and took a small sip, her breath still uneven as she tried to calm herself.

.....

They sat in silence for a while, Petal still recovering from her nightmare. Chase watched her closely, his gaze soft but observant. He noticed the way she avoided eye contact, her face turned down in embarrassment.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Petal. It happens,” he said gently, trying to calm her.

She glanced up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty, but his reassuring nod eased her tension. She took another sip of water and settled into the quiet that lingered between them. After a few minutes of silence, Chase decided to break it.

“Did you have dinner?” he asked, his tone light.

She shook her head. “No.”

“What? It’s already past midnight, and you haven’t eaten?” he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

“I thought I’d eat with you guys. Mom was waiting for you,” she replied softly.

He sighed. “Petal, I’m going to be late every day. You shouldn’t wait for me. You need to eat on time.”

She looked up at him, her voice steady but with a playful hint. “Then you should too.”

Chase couldn’t help but smile at the way she said it. “Touché. Let’s go eat then.”

He reached for her arm, but she didn’t move. Her hesitation made him pause. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not hungry anymore,” she said quietly.

Chase frowned and then, without a word, sat down on the floor in front of her. “Is it because of your nightmare?” he asked, his voice softer now, more serious.

Petal didn’t respond. She simply lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

“Look, you don’t need to be scared of them,” Chase said, his voice calm and steady. “They’re just dreams.”

She still didn’t respond, but her body remained tense. Chase leaned in slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. “And what if they’re not exactly what you think? What if it’s just the way you’re seeing them?”

Her brow furrowed, and she finally spoke. “What do you mean?”

“I heard from your doctor,” Chase said, choosing his words carefully. “I know what you’re going through.”

Petal’s eyes flickered with confusion. “Do you know what it is?” she asked quietly.

“Your dad told you it’s some disease, right? That’s what’s causing the nightmares and hallucinations?” Chase asked.

She nodded slowly. “Yeah. He didn’t mention the name, but he said it was something that causes this...”

Chase’s expression darkened slightly, but he kept his voice even. “He lied to you, Petal.”

Her eyes widened as she stared at him. “What do you mean?”

Chase sighed, lowering his voice as though he was telling her something he shouldn’t. “You’re not going through a disease. You have PTSD.”

“PTSD?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” he explained, leaning closer. “Something happened in your past—something bad. It was so traumatic that it caused you to develop this condition. The nightmares, the hallucinations... they’re not from a disease. They’re coming from that trauma, from memories that your mind is trying to block out.”

Petal just sat there, stunned, her lips parting as she tried to process what he was saying. “But my dad...”

“Your dad doesn’t want you to remember,” Chase interrupted, his tone growing more persuasive. “He’s been giving you medications to keep those memories locked away. He’s hiding something from you, something he thinks you’re not ready to face.”

She shook her head slightly, her voice shaking. “No, my dad wouldn’t do that. He’s trying to help me.”

Chase exhaled softly, his expression sympathetic, as if he understood her hesitation. “I’m sure he thinks he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he doesn’t want you to suffer, but keeping you in the dark about your own life? That’s not helping, Petal.”

He reached out and gently placed a hand on her knee. “You’ve lost years of your life—memories that are part of who you are. Sure, some of them might be painful, but there could be good memories in there too. Memories of people who loved you, happy moments that were taken away. Your dad has no right to decide what you should remember.”

Petal’s eyes filled with uncertainty, but Chase’s words were making sense. “But... why wouldn’t he tell me? Why hide it?”

“Think about it,” Chase continued, leaning in closer. “What if those memories reveal something he doesn’t want you to know? What if there’s a reason he’s trying so hard to keep them buried?”

She looked at him, her heart racing, the doubt creeping in. “Like what?”

“I don’t know exactly,” Chase admitted, his voice soft but firm, “but I do know that the mind doesn’t just block out trauma for no reason. And the fact that he’s giving you these meds, keeping you from remembering anything... It doesn’t add up.”

Petal swallowed hard, her thoughts swirling with confusion. She wanted to defend her father, but Chase’s reasoning seemed almost too logical to ignore.

“I’m not saying your dad’s a bad person,” Chase said carefully, noticing her inner conflict. “Maybe he thinks he’s protecting you, but by doing this, he’s keeping you from moving forward. How are you supposed to heal if you don’t even know what you’re healing from?”

Tears welled up in Petal’s eyes as she looked away, the weight of his words pressing down on her.

“I want to help you, Petal,” Chase said softly, his tone laced with sincerity. “I can help you get through this, but you need to know the truth. You deserve to know what really happened in your past, the good and the bad.”

She looked back at him, her eyes searching his face. There was something in his expression—something genuine, or at least it seemed that way. He wanted to help her, didn’t he? But the doubt lingered, a faint voice in the back of her mind whispering that maybe her father wasn’t the one to blame.

But Chase’s words made sense. Everything he said seemed so valid, so reasonable, that it was hard not to believe him.

“I don’t know...” Petal’s voice cracked, the uncertainty clear.

“I understand,” Chase replied gently. “This is a lot to take in. But I’m here for you. I’ll be with you every step of the way, no matter what you remember. You won’t have to face it alone.”

Petal’s heart ached, torn between the love and trust she had for her father and the seeds of doubt Chase had planted. She nodded slowly, her defenses weakening. Maybe Chase was right. Maybe there was more to her past than her father was letting on. And maybe... just maybe, Chase was the one who could help her uncover the truth.

“You really think I can handle it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I know you can,” Chase said confidently. “And I’ll be right here to help you .”

.......

“Get changed and come downstairs,” Chase said, his tone firm yet composed.

“I’m really not hungry,” Petal replied, her voice quiet.

“But you need to eat. Look at yourself,” he insisted.

Chase moved toward the door. “I’ll be waiting,” he said, glancing back at her before stepping out.

After locking the door behind him, Chase paused for a moment, a dark glimmer of satisfaction crossing his face.

“Sorry, Petal,” he murmured under his breath. “I’m manipulating you, but this is the only way I see fit. Your father has done enough damage, and everything you’re going through—it’s because of him. He’s the one who tore us apart. That pain you’re feeling, it’s because of him.”

Chase’s gaze hardened as he stood in the quiet hallway, his thoughts swirling with carefully laid plans. “He separated us back then, and now he’s doing it again by keeping those memories locked away from you. But I won’t let that happen. I’ll make sure you recover them—not just the bad ones, but the good ones too. Once you remember those good moments, the ones we had, you’ll forget all about the nightmares that are haunting you.”

A twisted smile crept onto his lips as he whispered to himself, “Your dad always said I manipulate you. Now I’ll show him what real manipulation looks like.”

He leaned against the wall, his expression turning even more devious. “I’ll turn those nightmares into dreams—dreams you’ll look forward to every night. You’ll crave them, long for them, and in time, you’ll believe that the time you’ve forgotten was the best of your life. I’ll make sure of it.”

Chase’s eyes darkened with determination as he plotted, a dangerous confidence in every word. “Once I’m done, you won’t remember the pain—only the happiness we had. You’ll trust me more than you ever trusted him.”

His voice dropped to a cold whisper. “I’ll make sure of that.”

Author's Note: Please don’t be upset about Maya kissing Chase; after all, they are husband and wife! He can’t just push her away, especially when he’s still in the planning phase. Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider voting. I would really appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a comment. If you have any suggestions or improvements, feel free to share those too! Positive feedback motivates me to keep writing, and constructive criticism helps me grow as a writer. A single comment can make a big difference! Thank you for your support! ❤