Falling for my Ex-Fiancee’s Best friend

Third person POV

Demelza stood before Nathan, her heart pounding in her chest. The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows across the worn wooden floorboards. She took a deep breath, her voice trembling as she spoke.

“Please, Nathan,” she pleaded, her eyes filled with desperation. “I beg of you, defend my father, you’re the only one who can help him.”

Nathan, his arms over his chest, his face etched with skepticism. “And what, pray tell, would I gain from defending him?” he asked, his voice laced with disdain.

Demelza’s eyes welled up with tears, but she fought to keep her composure. “I… I can offer you something in return,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Nathan’s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through her. “And what would that be, my dear?” he asked, his tone mocking.

Demelza took a step closer, her voice quivering with a mix of fear and determination. “My body,” she said, her words hanging heavily in the air. “In exchange for your help, I will give myself to you.”

Nathan’s face contorted with anger, his voice filled with contempt. “You think so little of yourself, don’t you?” he spat, his words cutting through her like a knife. “To trade your body for favors? You’re nothing but a cheap, desperate woman.”

Tears streamed down Demelza’s face as she struggled to maintain her composure. “I love my father,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “I would do anything to help him.”

Nathan’s expression softened slightly, a flicker of sympathy crossing his face. “Love can make us do foolish things,” he said, his voice gentler now. “But I won’t stoop to such depths. Your father’s fate does not lie in the exchange of bodies.”

Demelza’s shoulders slumped, defeated. She wiped away her tears, her voice barely audible. “I understand,” she said, her voice filled with resignation. “I just… I had to try.”

Nathan sighed, his anger dissipating as he looked at her with a mix of pity and regret. “I’m sorry, Demelza,” he said, his voice softer now. “But I cannot grant your request. There must be another way.”

Demelza nodded, her heart heavy with disappointment. She turned away, her steps heavy as she made her way towards the door. As she reached for the handle, she glanced back at Nathan one last time, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and gratitude.

Demelza’s face flushed with a mix of shame and hurt. She had hoped for understanding, for compassion, but instead, she found only rejection. “I never thought you would see me this way, Nathan. I thought you cared for me, that you would do anything to protect those you love.”

Nathan’s eyes softened, a hint of regret creeping into his voice. “Demelza, it’s because I care for you that I can’t accept this. I won’t let you sacrifice your dignity for the sake of your father. There must be another way.”

Demelza turned away, her heart heavy with disappointment. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’ve lost sight of what’s truly important. But I won’t give up on my father. I’ll find another way, even if it means facing the unknown alone.”

As Demelza walked away, the weight of her decision settled upon her shoulders. She had hoped for a different outcome, a glimmer of hope in the darkness. But sometimes, even the strongest sacrifices were not enough to save those we loved.

******

Demelza stormed into her small, dimly lit apartment, her face flushed with anger. She paced back and forth, her footsteps echoing through the empty room. The events of the evening replayed in her mind, fueling her fury.

“He made it plain he desired me,” she muttered to herself, clenching her fists. “And when I finally gave in, he rejected me. How could he?”

Her friend sat on the couch, her concerned eyes fixed on Demelza. “You deserve better, Demelza. You need to stand up for yourself,” she said, her voice filled with determination.

Demelza turned to face her friend, her eyes brimming with tears. “I know. I can’t let him treat me like this. I won’t allow it.”

Her friend nodded, her expression filled with empathy. “You should talk to other lawyers, Demelza. There must be someone who can help you fight against Nathan Storms.”

Demelza’s face brightened with a glimmer of hope. “You’re right. I won’t let him get away with this. I’ll find someone who will fight for me.”

The next day, Demelza gathered her courage and visited several law firms, determined to seek justice. However, as soon as she mentioned Nathan Storms, the lawyers’ attitudes changed.

One lawyer, Mr. Anderson, looked at her with a mix of sympathy and fear. “I’m sorry, Miss Demelza, but taking on Nathan Storms is not something we can handle. It’s too risky for us.”

Demelza’s heart sank, frustration bubbling within her. “But I have a legitimate case! Why won’t anyone help me?”

Another lawyer, Ms. Roberts, sighed heavily. “Nathan Storms has a reputation for crushing anyone who opposes him. We can’t afford to jeopardize our firm by going against him.”

Demelza’s voice trembled with a mixture of anger and desperation. “So, I’m just supposed to let him walk all over me? Is there no justice in this world?”

As she left the law firm, defeated and disheartened, Demelza’s determination flickered. She felt the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders. But deep down, she knew she couldn’t give up.

Returning home, Demelza found her waiting for her, her eyes filled with concern. “What happened, Demelza? Did you find someone who can help?”

Demelza shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No. They all backed away as soon as they heard Nathan Storms’ name. I feel so helpless.”

She stood up and walked over to Demelza, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t lose hope, Demelza. We’ll find a way. We won’t let him win.”

Demelza wiped away her tears, a spark of determination igniting within her once more. “You’re right. I won’t let him break me. I’ll keep searching until I find someone who will fight for justice, no matter the cost.”

With renewed strength, Demelza vowed to continue her quest for justice, refusing to be silenced by the power and influence of Nathan Storms. She knew the road ahead would be difficult, but she was ready to face whatever challenges lay in her path.