Author POV

"He came. Finally. After everything. But he... did come."

Amelia's thoughts of terror, fear, her shivering hands, the suffocating pressure on her chest—all of it slowly melted into something softer the very instant her eyes met his. Relief. Assurance. Safety.

Justin was finally here. In front of her.

After everything what Amelia endured with silence, yet rebel, with unspoken cries locked inside her throat—it felt like she had been resurrected. Seeing Justin was nothing less than a relief for her. It felt like coming back to life, returning from the borderline of heaven.

Her lips trembled as she whispered his name inside her head, her eyes burning with tears that had refused to fall earlier. Now, they poured freely, like the storm she had carried for too long had finally been released.

"Lia..."

Justin's voice broke through the chaos, soft yet desperate, as if the single syllable carried the weight of every emotion he had buried for far too long. His chest tightened with an ache he couldn't name, his heart pounding louder than the echoes of the world around him. Each step he took towards her felt uncertain, hesitant, but at the same time inevitable—like he was being pulled to her by something far stronger than his will.

All he knew—deep down, with absolute certainty—was that both of them needed the same thing. A touch, a closeness, a reminder that despite everything, they were still here. Still together. Still breathing the same air.

So he closed the distance, not with speeches or explanations, but with open arms. And as he reached her, the world seemed to still. Because sometimes, a hug said far more than words ever could.

Justin POV

We stayed like that for about two minutes. Two minutes where time felt irrelevant. Two minutes where her sobs shook against my chest, soaking into my shirt, and I let her. I didn't stop her.

Somewhere deep inside my mind, I knew that she needs this. She needs to cry. And she needs someone to hold her fragile figure like she's protected, no matter what. Like she wasn't broken, but cherished. Like she wasn't fragile, but irreplaceable.

And I was that someone.

All my attention was at Lia, comforting her and holding her trembling self steady. But I still couldn't take my eyes off that man who was lying half-dead right in front of us. How did he enter the trial room? What did he do to Lia? Was that so terrible that Lia started crying and trembling? I cannot think of any possibility.

Slowing down the continous storm of my thoughts, I felt Lia slowly breaking the hug, her red-rimmed eyes looking at me with exhaustion.

I chose not to speak first. She looked more miserable than me. This moment is all hers to decide, whether to speak and explain or not.

"Are you okay?"

She spoke, finally, her voice shaky, yet determined. I knew it wasn't easy for her.

"I'm okay, Lia."

My reply was simple, but my heart ached.

"Do you want to tell me about what happened here when I was away...?"

She took a breath, steadying herself. And exhaled sharply like her words carried weight.

"This man," she started, looking at the man lying on the floor. "Banged down the door and entered. I wasn't ready. I didn't even know who he was, until he pointed a gun straight on my forehead. I fought him, somehow—tricking him into my kicks and punches. But they didn't work for long. And when I felt he's going to pull the trigger," She paused, her voice breaking. "...I stabbed  his ribs with the heel."

I blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice.

I looked at the man again. No doubt he was stabbed badly and was surrounded by the pool of his own blood. But I was still not getting why would he try to kill Lia. As much as I can predict, these men don't know about her being associated with me, yet. I really need to have a serious talk with Liam as soon as we reach home safely.

"Lia, we need to leave the mall as soon as we can."

Her reaction stunned me. She did not hesitate. She was up in a blink, all ready and stronger than ever before. She was on her feet in an instant, wiping away her tears, her body radiating strength. The transformation was breathtaking—vulnerable one moment, unshakably strong the next. A warrior forged from fire.

I badly wanted to hug her tighter and tell her how incredibly strong she is.

Amelia POV

We were going back. Ryan drove the car. Andrew, Liam and Justin were lost in their own silence. Even me. What happened this evening, was completely unexpected. Justin said that the girls have reached the dorm safely. It was God's mercy that we are all back, safe and sound.

I was sitting quiet, clutching the dress bag on my lap tightly, as if holding onto it was the only thing that could comfort me.

"Here we are, Amelia. Katherine told me to let you know to go to her dorm. All three of them are there."
I heard Ryan, speaking from the driver's seat.

I nodded my head lightly. I turned on my left to open the car door.

And then I felt a tug on my right arm—Justin.

I knew it was him. I turned back to look at him.

And within a second he opened his arms, taking me into his embrace. A warm, secure cocoon that dissolved every wall I had built around myself.

I stayed numb for a second or so, but later gave in.

We all need each other in this moment. Because sometimes, all we need is a hug. A reminder that we're not alone.

"I'm proud of you, Lia. So damn proud of you."

I heard Justin's voice, just above a whisper, but loud enough only for both of us to hear. And it hit deeper than anything else could.

I passed a little genuine smile. "Call me tomorrow when you're free."

I muttered simply. It's almost night, and he needs rest. We both do. Talking about it now wouldn't be right.

Next Day
Author POV

"Daisy, give me your spare eyeliner."

"It's inside Sarah's makeup drawer."

"Okay, don't bother. I'll get it."

It was 10:40 in the morning. The girls were at Katherine's and Sarah's dorm. The environment at the girls' place was buzzed with frequent shouting each other's names, running all over the dorm, laughing and joking almost all the time and collapsing on the bed every now and then.

It was the bag-packing time for the trip.

"Amy, your phone is vibrating," Sarah called out from the room inside.

"Coming," Amelia replied. Till she reached, the call went unanswered.

She opened the call history.

Justin.

It read. In red bold letters.

She waited for a moment.

Should I call back now? Or shall text him, saying I'll call back later?

She did not wish to talk about yesterday's incident in front of the girls. Justin might not be comfortable with it. But she needs her answers, only if Justin is ready to tell explain.

"I'll be back in 15. An old friend just called on phone," she announced.

"Be quick. Packing isn't done, yet," Daisy replied.

Amelia headed towards the walking area of the dorm premises. Her steps were quick, her pulse uneven. She had no idea what the conversation would be like.

But she knew one thing—it was important.

And it couldn't wait any longer.

If I could freeze one moment forever, it would be that hug 🫂 Sometimes words fail, but a simple embrace screams everything. And the way Justin silently protected Amelia, and the way she chose to rise again—it's a reminder that broken pieces can still shine✨ This chapter was painful yet beautiful to write, because sometimes love doesn't show up in grand gestures—it's in the quiet moments, in the whisper of "I'm proud of you."

Please vote and leave a comment if you liked this chapter. The next chapter will be update soon. Take care, cuties 💙

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