"My past has not defined me, destroyed me, deterred me, or defeated me; it has only strengthened me.."

Sapphire giggled softly at the feeling of Kierans breath running across her exposed neck which was now covered with red blotches from his needy kisses. His muscular arm wrapped around her slim waist as he held her tight to his naked chest.

She felt her cheeks burn with the thought of the passionate night they had spent together, he made her feel so precious and loved, paying full attention to all her needs before calling it a night. Deciding Sapphire wasn't ready for the full thing just yet, she had morals and he didn't want her to regret anything. 

Smiling she snuggled against him more, their legs tangled together as he groaned at her sudden movement, pulling her even closer to his warm body. Never had she felt so protected, she almost felt completely safe from the world. He was her shield and no one could hurt her again. Except him of course. The thought quickly left her mind as quickly as it arrived, surely such a man like Kieran wouldn't hurt her. He had been nothing but loving and protective over her since they were younger.

It was 3am, she should of been asleep but all she could do was think. Exhaustion didn't help her sleep it made her worse, she knew her health was on a downwards spiral considering she had been neglecting her body with lack of food, water and sleep the past few nights  but she didn't have the appetite, the thirst or the ability to sleep.

She didn't know how she was able to be sane after her parents confessions, it sickened her that they had so much lack of faith in her, believed she would be a failure who would never be worthy of marrying Darien.

At the same time it gave her some closure, they had tricked Darien into thinking she was using him, showing him pictures which she hoped she would never have to see. She could understand how hurt he must of felt thinking she cheated with her best friend. Maybe she should of spent more time with Darien than Jared back then, maybe then he wouldn't of been so jealous but she shouldn't have to let her friendship suffer because of his insecurities.

She frowned, ignoring the feeling of Kierans skin against hers as her mind wandered to places she never wanted it to go. He had kissed Sasha in front of her, smirked when he saw Sapphire watching before accusing her and cursing at her with vulgar words. He humiliated her in front of all her friends, family and not to mention paparazzi at her own 18th birthday party.

It could of all been avoided if he trusted her love in him, was it not obvious how much she worshiped the ground he walked on? All she ever done was cling to him, follow him like a little lost puppy and stare at him all googly eyed when he would look at her with love. The parents may have played some nasty tricks but all he had to do was confront her, trust her.

She couldn't believe she was thinking about such a man as she lay in the arms of Kieran, the complete opposite to Darien in every possible way. Maybe that was why she was so attracted to the man, he was warm and kind hearted to everyone where as Darien had always been a hard shell, cold eyes, stone expression, she was the only one who had the privilege of seeing the shine in his eyes as he smiled, the beautiful sound of his hearty laughter, the gentle touches and strokes of his gorgeous lips.

"Stop it," she groaned to herself, turning slightly to look at a peaceful Kieran, the moon light shining through the blinds making his face visible in the dark room. He looked like a young carefree boy as he slept, no worries in the world. But then again all the boy done was drive cars for her parents, he didn't own a large business like Darien, he didn't have anywhere near the stress Darien faced every day.

Why the hell was she still thinking about him?

She hated how she felt, she liked Kieran but loved Darien, no matter how much she wanted to stop caring for him he would always appear in her mind. Even before he showed face in her life again the smallest of thing would remind her of him and she would break all over again. She wanted to forget him, needed to forget him despite the empty hole in her heart it would leave.

Loud banging pulled her from her thoughts as she stared at the clock on her nightstand, gasping as she realized she had been thinking about Darien for 30 minutes straight. Guilt setting in as she looked over at Kieran, she was a terrible person.

Sighing she got out from her bed, wrapping a housecoat around her nearly bare body before wandering slowly to the door. She knew it was Elisa, it was a weakly routine now, her and Andrew fell out at least once a week, always showing up at Sapphires door at stupid hours in the morning.

"What happened this time?" she answered as she pulled the front door of her home open, almost immediately regretting it as angry blue eyes pierced her soul, shattering her thoughts as her hand clenched on the door handle.

"How the fuck did you get in here again?" she growled lowly, her body trembling with too many built up emotions. Knowing the reason for what he did didn't affect the way she felt about him. She hated him with a burning passion, wanting to scream her lungs out with the pain she felt with just a simple look at the man.

He didn't answer her as his eyes glared at her exposed neck, his teeth clenching as his eyes narrowed into slits. 

"Who the fuck touched you?" the anger in his voice shook Sapphire, she had never feared him before but looking at him now she didn't know if she should talk to him or run from him. She couldn't run though, her feet were frozen in place to the ground as he walked into her home, his blazed eyes never leaving her neck.

"Who Sapphire?" he growled, he had enough shit tonight with his parents and Sasha never mind someone touching his treasure. He had planned something different as he made his way over, he was going to crawl on the floor and beg for her forgiveness, whatever it took he would do but seeing the bruising on her neck sent him over the edge.

"N-nobody," she stuttered, her eyes burning with the familiar need to cry as she backed away from him, she felt disgusted for having such a thing on her neck but then again she hadn't done anything wrong. He was getting to her once again.

"Treasure don't lie to me," he almost pleaded as she stared at him with widened eyes, seeing the pain in his cold orbs as her chest tightened by the sight. Her strong Darien was crumbling just like she done many years ago. She thought seeing him in pain would please her but she couldn't deny the pain she also felt towards him, she wanted to help him get over the pain but he wasn't there for her, he caused it.

She didn't have to reply as Kieran came down the stairs with his jeans low on his hips showing his perfect body, yawning as he made his way down, completely oblivious to the two sets of eyes watching him. 

"You!" Kierans eyes widened at the sight of Dariens broad body storming towards him, his body trembling as he swung his fist back, smacking Kieran square in the face before he could react. Sending a startled Kieran to the ground with a groan.

Sapphire watched in horror as Darien punched Kieran with so much fury, Kieran had no chance against the mass of muscle which was Darien, his blood staining her cream carpet at she stood frozen in place. She had never saw Darien act such a way before, never saw him hurt another person.

"Don't you fucking touch what doesn't belong to you!" Darien growled, lifting his fist once again to bring it back down on a near unconscious Kieran as Sapphire broke from her dazed state, running towards the pair of them as she jumped in front of Kieran, protecting him from Dariens wrath.

Darien froze the moment he saw Sapphires beautiful face in front of him, as gorgeous as ever with her wide eyes looking up at him.

"Stop," she whispered softly, her hand reaching out to caress his cheek, his anger all but vanished from his body, savoring her sweet touch against his skin as they both got lost in each other.

"Treasure," Darien breathed out, his bloodied hand pressing over Sapphires, preventing her from moving from his face.

"Him, really?" he sounded broken as a tear fell from Sapphires eye, sorry almost leaving her mouth but instead she shook her head in disbelief. It was none of his business.

"Fuck," Kieran groaned as he stood from the ground, his face swelling already as he frowned at the sight in front of him, "I'm just going to leave," he grumbled in pain, heading to the door before either one of them would stop him, not that they were going to.

"Your hand," Sapphire gasped, grabbing his bloodied and bruised hand in hers before pulling him through to the kitchen, trying to ignore his burning eyes on her back. She didn't know why she was helping him, she should be running after Kieran.

"It's fine," he grumbled as she pushed him onto one of her kitchen stools, reaching for the first aid kit before quickly running back to him.

He watched in admiration as she cleaned his wounds with care, making sure not to hurt him even though he deserved every ounce of pain she delivered to him.

"Please tell me you didn't Sapphire," he pleaded, looking into her eyes as his heart shattered by the guilt in them. He had truly lost her now to another man, he had took what was his.

"Treasure," he whimpered in pain, his throat clenching as a tear fell from his eye causing Sapphire to let out a small gasp. Her heart clenching at the cold man crying in front of her.

"That has nothing to do with you Darien," her voice was strong as she placed his hand back down on the table, closing the medical kit as she took a deep breath to contain her emotions. He had just beat the shit out of a man she had spend most the night with and here she was trying to look after him. What the hell was wrong with her!

"He doesn't deserve that Sapphire, not him," he whimpered softly, trying to reach out to the woman he loved more than anything.

"Oh yea and who the hell does?" she screamed, all the built up anger coming out as she slammed her hand on the table in front of Darien.

"Me," he growled, his injured hand snaking around the back of her neck as he slammed his lips against hers.