Introduction
To save her seriously ill daughter, single mother Layla has no choice but to seek help from the city’s powerful and enigmatic ruler, Zaley Raines—the only compatible bone marrow donor. Cold, dangerous, and commanding, he is drawn to Layla by a strange sense of familiarity. However, she dares not reveal the truth: Zaley is actually her long-lost first love, Leon, and the biological father of her child, though he no longer remembers her. Haunted by past trauma and misunderstandings, Layla has kept her distance, but Zaley’s instincts pull him irresistibly closer. When the truth of their connection comes to light, he begins unraveling the fragments of his tampered memories, determined to reclaim the woman he once loved and the daughter they never knew. Bound by fate and tangled in secrets, Layla finds herself falling once again for the man who once promised to rescue her from despair. But this time, Zaley wants more than just her heart—he wants her to remain in his world forever. As enemies close in and hidden truths emerge, they become each other’s salvation in a reunion written by destiny.
And when he finally remembers?
He won’t beg. He won’t fall. He’ll rise.
To reclaim her.
To destroy those who wronged her.
To conquer every part of the woman he once forgot how to love.
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About Author
Caelum Cayden
Chapter 1
MONSOON THEN
LAYLA
*He left her.
He left her.
He left her.*
He promised he would never do that, not him, not again. He's not her father. He's not her mother. Or maybe it's just her illusion. She called him, lying limp on her bed, hoping he would come running to her and say, "It's all over now. We are leaving this city. You, me and our child."
Then she realised that he never knew he had a child. She never told him. She sent another text.
*Where are you?
I miss you.
I need you.
This is not funny anymore.
I love you.
Did you hear about what happened to me?
Is that why you are not responding?
I can understand if your feelings change because of that. I will always love you. I deserve a chance to explain.
Please don't cut my voice. Please give me a chance.
Leon, please. Hear me out.
God, this is not how I want to break the news. I am pregnant. **
She waited for another two** days before she sent another text with trembling hands. She never thought she could see a day where she had to prove herself.
'It's yours.' She typed with tears welled in her eyes.
It's been a month since I've known. It's yours. I'll take a paternity test. Please. I need you. I need you here. I can't sleep. I don't know what to do.
She waited again. All her messages were seen and that gave her hope. But no reply came back. Just like that, the little hope was extinguishers before it burned brightly.
He left her. He knew what happened to her. He left her anyway. She doesn't want to believe it. Maybe soemthing happended to him. Maybe something terrible, like an accident or worse, someone might have killed him. She squeezed her eyes shut. No, he is stronger than that. Also, he read her messages. He didn't reply.
He did that before, didn't he? He called her annoying, left her on read many times. But those times were different. They weren't in love back then. Her life was not on stake back then. Now it is. She knew she would die if he never come back.
For the one last time, swallowing the humiliation, she typed again.
*Have you ever loved me? Is there any moment when you said you loved me and mean it? *
The reply came back at once.
Two letters, One word, two lives, one heart shattered in seconds.
She stared at his reply in big bold letters - NO.
Just like that, Layla lost her last hope. And she could never mend her broken heart. She became numb. She couldn't see anything, hear anything, and understand anything. All the tears vanished that day. They never came back, at least not for him.
She became angry. That's all she knew; angry at him, angry at the world, angry at her parents, angry at herself, and everything.
She wasn't going to hope again. She wasn't going to trust again. She promised herself that she would never believe in the illusion of happiness. In this world, everything is a facade.
Latest Chapters
#253 EPILOGUE
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 13:05#252 251. ALWAYS
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 13:05#251 250. THE WEDDING
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 12:35#250 249. SAY YES, PLEASE
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 13:05#249 248. EASE
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 12:35#248 247. DRIFTING APART
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 12:35#247 246. DARK TOO PRETTY
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 13:05#246 245. KIRILL IN CRISIS
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 12:35#245 244. COMPLETE
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 12:35#244 243. HIDDEN
Last Updated: 09/01/2025 13:05
Comments
Visitor
This book is hard to put down😮💨cannot wait to see what happens next!
05/03/2025 14:18Caelum Cayden
Dear Readers, This your author. I would like to provide more in one chapter but according the writing platform rules, one chapter cannot exceed 1300 words. So, if my chapters are small or if you feel like the story in not going anywhere, please remember that I am doing everything I can to keep you entertained in the given 1300 words. Thank you for all the love. Please make sure to give your reviews.
04/21/2025 10:59Visitor
No more updates?
03/20/2025 00:59Visitor
THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKING GOOD!!!! Waiting eagerly for next chapters boss…. GREAT JOB!!!!
01/26/2025 11:14Visitor
Your book seamlessly combines profound emotion with engaging storytelling.
11/22/2024 17:37Visitor
I'm thoroughly enjoying your novel. The characters are incredibly well-developed, and the storyline keeps me hooked with every page. Your writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, and I can already tell it will stay with me long after I finish reading.
11/10/2024 09:36
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About Author
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