Chapter 57: 50.𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜

SCENT OF LOVE (editing)Words: 17276

By the time Stella and Liam reached the hospital, Savannah Miller was already present there. Stella's mother, she was shaking and crying because her whole family was on the verge of death but it was already too late.

Sebastian Miller was seated in the front passenger seat, he faced the most impact from the accident that resulted in his death on spot

Stella stood there in silence as she heard the news, she didn't know if she had to be happy or sad. At that moment all the good memories she had with her father were flooding back. He wasn't a good father to Ethan but he did love Stella dearly. Stella was the girl who used to take her father as her hero until she got to know about what he did to her brother

She didn't care, she couldn't bring herself to grieve her death. It was the karam that Sebastian Miller received for the lives he ruined. Savannah knew all about her husband's dirty work but she was forced to keep her mouth shut, she wasn't crying because she lost her husband. She was crying because both of her sons were in danger

After knowing what Sebastian did to Ethan in the past, Savannah was devastated. She didn't know what her son had gone through to keep them safe. She regretted never noticing it.

Ethan and Henry were still in separate operation theaters. Savannah went to Henry's whereas Liam and Stella stayed with Ethan. Both of them say there silently waiting for an update. Stella's eyes were fixed on the door as she prayed to God to keep her brothers safe whereas Liam's eyes were on her

They say in the distance, neither of them had the courage or energy to speak. Both of them were fighting with their inner thoughts. At this point Liam was completely drained out, mentally and physically. He even felt he would pass out any minute due to excessive pressure

They haven't gotten proper sleep not eaten anything for hours

Stella knew what Liam was going through and they were standing at the point that they needed to give each other space. Approaching Liam would make him break down, Stella glanced at him who was sitting a few seats away his head hung low as he processed the betrayal he faced

Her heart ached to see him like that, she wanted to run to him and comfort him. He was always there for her and she wanted to do the same

Liam also understood Stella's state, she just came out of one shocked to be pushed into another. Anything could happen to her brothers and in this situation he didn't want to break. He didn't want to show how weak he is feeling

Liam already informed others about what all happened, except Aunt Lia. He couldn't gather the courage to tell her what happened. That's why he first contacted Lucas and explained everything to him and then his mother. Emily was in a meeting when she received her son's call, never she thought that her son would say that

She rushed back home and called her sister. Emily knew that this news would break Amelia even more. Only she could tell her lia about this news

Liam puts his phone aside and sighs leaning against the seat, he rests his head on the wall looking at the ceiling. Why? That was the question being repeated in his head

Liam turned to glance at Stella who was already looking at him. A smile forms on his lips, the first time he faked his smile in front of her smiling through pain. Stella could see the tears forming in his eyes

She couldn't take it anymore

"Such a liar" she mumbles and walks towards him, she sits beside him and pulls me into a hug "it's alright, let it out" she whispers. Those words made him fall, he was so done with everything.

He held her tightly crying his heart out, his sobs echoing in the empty corridor. He didn't want to break down but his heart was so heavy holding up all the emotions.

Stella saw him crying for the first time, she was holding up her tears too. Because she also let them out who would help Liam? She continued to hold him against her, rubbing his back trying to soothe his pain

But this wasn't something physical, it was emotional

That day, Liam cried out everything. He couldn't care less about what others would say. He have also gone through so much

➠

By the time Amelia came back home everyone was already present there. Lucas, Jasmine, Mia and Emily. They had a tensed expression as they were unable to think of a way to explain what happened.

Looking at their expression, Amelia got really worried. The first question she asked was "Is Liam and Stella alright?"

Emily just rushed to her sister and hugged her tightly, just like the way when they were kids. As Emily started to speak telling her about Louis, Amelia's whole world slipped away. Her heart sank deep knowing what all he did

Her cries were heard in the whole house, the history repeated itself. Thirteen years ago when Amelia got to know that her love has committed suicide she cried. But today was different, she was not only crying because her love was alive but crying because he tired to hurt her children

This time her cries were more louder

Amelia is an independent woman, she never got dependent on anyone, she got everything money, fame, family but not love. She realized it today. All those feelings she ever had for Louis were turned to hatred. First thing she did was remove that ring from her finger and throw it across the room

Her legs gave up and she fell to the floor, Emily held her tightly not letting her go. Emily understood her little sister's pain. No matter how strong she was at the end she was still a human

Lucas locked himself in his room unable to see that scene, he was three when Louis's death was announced. He was too young to understand, but growing up he saw his aunt's pain and now it was happening again. He wasn't that good in expressing his feelings so he just stayed silent

Like always

It is better to stay quiet when you don't know what to say. He wished his father was alive to hug him and say "everything will be alright"

Mia was with her mother and Aunt, even though she wasn't much aware of all this yet she didn't like to see her family in pain. Especially the women she looked up too were broken in front of her

Jasmine was stuck up, not able to think what she should do. She didn't belong to this family and knew nothing about this. It was better for her to let them deal with it, she was worrying about Stella. She knew her best friend needed her yet she couldn't leave

Jasmine noticed Lucas's state, that's when she decided to keep her grudges and hate aside and comfort him. Lucas didn't say anything when Jasmine walked into his room, sat beside him and rubbed his back, he just leaned to her.

They both didn't talk, there wasn't any need to do so

It wasn't the time to tease or annoy each other but be there for another

➠

Jeff was confused, he was going to report that a person who is written dead in the law committed an attempt to murder . He knew that this was going to get messy yet he took the responsibility and he would fulfill it.

He sent Julian and Louis to the cops, gave them the evidence and all the proof he had. He also gave them a good amount of money to not let the media know about it. Because if the news of louis Martin being alive would be known to public then both Liam and Stella's family would be dragged down

No one wanted it

In this world everything had a price according to Jeff and he knew how to trade well. He was a mastermind in using his money in correct place and taking it back too

The court also decided to take care of this matter silently and gave the judgment of death to the brothers

➠

The death of Sebastian Miller spread through Sydney like wildfire, reporters were flooding outside the city hospital to get more information.Media didn't care about the fact it's a hospital with patients they just needed some pictures for the headlines tomorrow

People were shocked but many victims of him were happy. Sebastian's assets were taken by the Government but as the siblings had their own shares they were able to keep them.

No one could come inside the hospital because of media, as much as everyone wanted to visit Liam and Stella they were to stay out.

Yet someone saw Liam and Stella together, another news of Sebastian Miller's daughter dating the next CEO of NYX was trending everywhere.

Both of them didn't care, they had a lot of things going on to focus on instead of giving statements to the nosy media.

After a few hours, the doctors came out and informed them about Ethan's and Henry's conditions. With God's grace both of them were out of danger, they did face a lot of injuries but they were alive and will be kept under observation

Liam had calmed down before the news arrived. He stayed with Stella the whole time, they stood beside each other in every hardship they faced. After the news of her brother's being out of danger the first thing Liam did was inform this to others. Then, he took Stella and Savannah to the cafeteria to feed them and himself

It has been a long day

➠

A day later, Amelia visited the prison to see Louis with her own eyes. She thought she would break down seeing him but she didn't, she didn't want to show him that she becomes weak

They had a small talk, Louis didn't look guilty for his actions and Amelia knew that his death was near, he would get what he deserved. She brought her ring, it was her most precious thing, that means not anymore. When she gave him the ring, Louis looked at her and said "so you chose family instead of love?"

Amelia shook her head with a smile "No, I chose myself. Something I should have done years ago" that was the last words she spoke to him before leaving. Only if she knew this sooner she wouldn't have wasted her time remembering someone like him

She didn't regret it, instead took it as a life lesson and decided to move on

➠

Ethan and Henry regained their consciousness, Stella took a deep breath in relief. Upon hearing about their father's death they didn't react nor spoke.

Ethan was relieved, he was finally free

Liam and Stella stayed at the hospital taking care of Ethan and Henry. They both were healing well. Savannah was also with them but Liam didn't want to give her much trouble so he sent her back home

As both Liam and Stella were having lunch at the hospital's cafeteria a news on the television grabbed everyone's attention

Vincent Anderson, the chairman of Anderson Corporation, has been found dead following a devastating fire at the company's headquarters. Anderson was the sole person present at the time. This is the second death of a well known figure within a week.

The authorities are investigating the cause of fire as it is said to be the city's largest fire

Liam knew what happened 'jeff took his revenge'

➠

Jeff was five years old when he saw his father killing his pet dog, the reason? "It's a distraction to you" said Vincent. Jeff was innocent too understand what his father meant.

Vincent Anderson wanted his son to be exactly like him, and he would go to any extent to achieve that.

Jeff never understood the meaning of love because he never received it, his father was too busy working and his mother? she was unstable. Growing up he thought that love means to listen to everything the other person says without protesting. Receive whatever they give you, whether it's hugs or hits

He didn't want love

He saw his father beating his mother until she couldn't walk. Whenever Jeff tried to save her his father would say "that's my way of showing love". Eight year old Jeff prayed to never receive that kind of love from his father but…

His mother couldn't take it anymore and finally took her last breath when he was nine. That's when Jeff thought that death is better than life at least his mother didn't have to face his father's wrath

Unfortunately that came upon him. Jeff got a whole back tattoo as soon as he turned eighteen, those scars were so humiliating to him. They showed the fact that he couldn't fight against his father

He vowed to never fall in love

Until her

Indie Campbell, the only woman who knew how to put Jeff in his place. He didn't fall for her because she broke his cold exterior like everyone said. He fell for her because she never gave up on him, she loved him the way he was

Jeff never admitted to like his assistant, yet he would wait impatiently for her to come and give him food. Jeff was used to eating the high quality food prepared by the top chef he never knew the speciality homemade food had

He loved the food Indie prepared for him, he never left anything on the plate everything was cleared by him

One day when Indie said her wish that she wanted to race but couldn't because there isn't much recognition for female biker. Jeff decided to make it happen. Within a week he brought her a bike and arranged a whole damn racing event for her, he even paid many bike racers from around the world to come and race with Indie

When she won her first race, Indie was on cloud nine. She was dancing and singing around the house. That's when Jeff smiled, so genuinely that Indie noticed the small dimple appearing at the corner of his lips.

Her heart skipped a beat seeing the cold ceo smile especially for her

"Blue bird" that's what Jeff used to call her

Beautiful, joyful and extraordinary

She was his safe place, anything that troubled Jeff. Indie had the solution, in fact she was the solution and Jeff was down so bad, one glare from Indie would make him sit. No questions asked

Jeff loathed the word 'marriage' yet he couldn't help but imagine standing at the altar saying his vows to her. Oh how much he wanted to see her in that white dress, he never prayed for anything else

Jeff loved seeing his love in red dress, she looked gorgeous he always used to say to her "you look beautiful in red"

Until he saw she covered in red

Never had he ever hated a color so much

When the color of love became the color of Death

He was too weak to protect his dog when his father killed it. He was too weak to protect his mother. But this time he had everything - power, money, strength and even confidence yet one thing was missing

Time

The most valuable thing

He was too late

By the time he could save her, his father had already shot her three times. Right in front of him, his whole world shattered when he saw her covered in red

The screams that would shock anyone

When Indie was taking her last breath that's when she heard the words she was waiting to hear "I love you" Jeff cried holding her

Indie smiled at the last moment finally hearing him say it while Jeff was begging her not to leave him-

Jeff Anderson never begged

But he was crying like a child holding her cold body in his hands. He couldn't stop, his tears didn't dry out. His voice got cut yet he was whimpering for her

He lost her

He lost himself

That's when everyone knew, after losing Indie he became inhuman. No sympathy or feelings for anyone, he created this wall around him no one would dare to break. Those random jokes and mockery was his coping mechanism

He waited, he waited until his father's company was at their peak. At the top until he would destroy it all. His father's most valuable possession

They say being burnt alive is the most painful death

Vincent Anderson received it

Jeff burnt down the whole company with his father inside creating the biggest arson of the city.

No one would doubt him, why? Because he played an important role in making his father's company famous and now that company will be remembered for years, not for being one of the largest car manufacturing company but for being the first company to have such accident

But only a few know it wasn't an accident

➠

It was the new year's Eve, at midnight the sky was filled with fireworks as everyone welcomed the new year hoping for a healthy and happy year ahead

Jeff sat beside indie's grade sipping on white wine, Indie loved it. Jeff never understood why? He always preferred the red wine yet here was drinking it because she likes it

Emily and Amelia were together watching those fireworks, Amelia was doing better now with the support of her family. The two sisters stayed strong for each other

Lucas, Mia and Jasmine celebrated the new year with them. Jasmine felt like home when she was with them, a part of her still missing her family back in India

Ethan and Henry were still at the hospital, they are recovering but it will take time. Both brothers sat beside each other with the other patients of the hospital as they watch the fireworks from the window, their mother joined them too

Stella and Liam were back from the apartment, they cuddled on the couch while watching the fireworks. This time buddy between them too.

This is home

── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

Author's Note

Had to write this in my pov to show every character's emotions, the first time I cried writing a chapter. Ngl writing all this did drain me out, my head is pounding so bad rn-

The next chapter will be the last chapter of sol, I have many things to say about it. Will do it soon. It will be happy, like literally

Many asked for Jeff's book but I don't think I could, that's why I added some of his story here. He was written to be a side character only

Hope you all liked it, I know the last few chapters were stressful and all. I am sorry but I think it kept up the hype

-have a nice day/night