Page 179 of Rose
“I have to get some things straight first, but we’re leaving.”
Ahzii’s head spun so hard she swore the floor shifted beneath her. Leaving? Bali? Even for a week, it felt insane. William had just risen from the dead and walked backinto her life carrying secrets sharp enough to shatter her in minutes. The idea of running off to another country right now was impossible to wrap her head around.
He must have seen it—her thoughts racing like trapped birds. His eyes pinned her. “Do you still love me, Beautiful?” His hand wrapped around hers.
She looked into those familiar eyes and saw the man she had once sworn her life to. But the truth was undeniable, her heart didn’t beat the same for him anymore. She didn’t know if it was time, grief, or the fact that Savior now held it in his palm. Savior, who wasn’t who he claimed to be. Savior, who had loved her through every wall she built. And William, the man she thought was gone forever, was standing here with the same love she thought had been buried with him.
“Yes, Will. I love you.” Her voice cracked under the weight of it. She would always love him. But she didn’t know if she was still in love with him.
“More than him?” The way he said it—low, almost too calm—told her he already knew the answer.
She nodded anyway, even though her heart rebelled. She had to let Savior go. Especially now. Especially after what she’d been shown.
William leaned down and kissed her softly before pulling away. “I’m going to get everything handled for our departure in a couple of days. The fridge is stocked. TV’s loaded with whatever you want to watch. Our bedroom is down the hall to the right.”
She blinked. “Wait… I’m staying here?” Her voice was sharper than she intended.
“Yes. Savior is dangerous, baby. I can’t risk losing you again.”
“I don’t think he would hurt me.” The words slipped out before she could stop them. She still couldn’t make herself fully believe what she’d seen in that file, even though every page screamed that Savior was the bad guy.
William’s jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists before he took a slow breath, forcing his body to relax. “Baby, he already hurt you. Hurt us. He killed our baby girl.” His eyes burned—anger, grief, and something darker threading through it.
The look in his eyes made her regret opening her mouth. She had never seen this side of William. Ever. But he was right.
“I’m sorry… you’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Her voice retreated into something smaller.
“I know it’s a lot, baby.” He leaned in, pressing his lips to her cheek, then her neck. She couldn’t deny it felt different. Wrong. She pulled back before he could go further, and he caught it instantly.
“What’s wrong, Beautiful?” His gaze searched her face.
She looked away, avoiding the intensity in his eyes, before meeting them again. “I’m just… exhausted. It’s been a rough twenty-four hours. I need some sleep.” The lie was only half a lie. She was tired, but more than that, she needed space to think.
“When I get back, I’ll cook something. I know you probably haven’t eaten.” His voice was warm, but it slid over her like a hand holding just a little too tight.
She smiled, but it never reached her eyes.
“What about my family? They’re going to be worried.”
William nodded without hesitation. “Tell them the truth. Say you need time, that you’re going on a quick vacation.”
Ahzii nodded, letting his words sink in, never realizing they were a lie.
“And Savior?” Her voice wavered. “He’s going to want answers. What if he comes looking for me?”
William’s eyes softened, but there was steel beneath it. “Just send him a quick text. Assure him. Go get some rest, baby. I’ll be back in an hour.” He kissed her lips again, leaving her with the quiet heaviness of everything he’d just dropped on her.
When the door closed behind him, she stayed frozen, like her body didn’t know how to move under the weight of it all. Eventually, she reached for her phone, forcing her hands to type.
First, the family group chat—A’Mazi, Kyre, Bianca.
I’m okay. I just need time. Going on vacation to clear my mind.
She hit send before she could change her mind.
Then came the harder one.
Savior.
