Lured By the Past

In the delicate weave of love and relationships, few threads are as complex and intertwined as those of the human heart. "Lured by the Past" explores the labyrinthine journey of Lily, a woman caught in the web of her past and present loves. This tale is a poignant exploration of the consequences of obsession, the fragility of trust, and the search for redemption.

Lily's marriage to Kelvin begins with promise and hope, but the shadow of her past love, Owen, looms large. What starts as an innocent reconnection soon spirals into a dangerous liaison, leading Lily to a crossroads that could shatter her world. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she grapples with guilt, deception, and the harsh reality of her choices.

Kelvin, a loving and devoted husband, finds himself blindsided by betrayal. His struggle to understand and forgive Lily's actions is a testament to the complexities of love and the human capacity for resilience. Through his pain, we see the devastating impact of broken trust and the arduous path to healing.

Owen, the catalyst of this emotional turmoil, represents the allure of the past and the danger of unresolved desires. His manipulative nature and hidden motives unravel the lives of those around him, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of selfishness and deceit.

"Lured by the Past" is more than just a story of infidelity; it is a narrative that delves deep into the emotional and psychological landscape of its characters. It challenges readers to reflect on their own relationships, the importance of communication, and the power of forgiveness.

As you turn the pages, you will be drawn into a world where love and obsession collide, where hearts are broken and mended, and where the journey to self-forgiveness becomes the ultimate path to redemption. This story serves as a reminder that while the heart can be easily entangled, it also possesses the strength to heal and find its way back to love.

Chapter 1

The Past Resurfaces

It was Friday evening when Kelvin, my husband, came back home from work after a long day at work. I was on Instagram when I came across my ex-boyfriend pictures.

"Why do you always stare at your ex's picture Lily?" Kelvin, my husband, asked with a hint of curiosity. I glazed and replied; "Oh, nothing much. I came across these old memories of us together. Attempting to cover up again. "Let me get your food. I couldn't wait any longer, so I ate mine not so long ago. How was work today?" I changed the whole theme.

"Work was fine. Look, Lily! I'm getting tired of your strange behavior. You act like we're just roommates. You're no longer the woman I fell in love with. All you do is cook, clean, spend the rest of your day on social media, and stare at your ex's pictures. Why did a married woman still keep her ex-boyfriend's photos on her phone? You better sit up and work on yourself before things get out of hand," Kelvin lamented, his eyes filled with anger.

Deep down, I knew he was right. Everything he said was nothing but the truth. I married Kelvin out of pity; I never truly loved him. When Owen, my first love, and I broke up, I fell into a deep depression. My life shattered, I was disappointed and broken. I loved Owen so much, but I couldn't tolerate his cheating anymore, so I broke up with him.

Days after, I realized I couldn't eat or sleep without thinking of him. Kelvin came into my life and filled the empty space in my heart. All my friends advised me to marry him, who’s loving, caring, and a gentleman. I thought marrying him would help me forget Owen, but it didn't help it at all. I secretly reunited with Owen, and we started chatting again. I feel bad for trifling with Kelvin's heart, but I can't go a day without thinking of Owen. Now, I see my husband as a roommate. I feel disgusted and irritated whenever he makes love to me. It's getting worse each passing day, I can't help it but to continue trying my best so he won’t feel suspicious.

Chapter 2

The Temptation Grows

My love, you are an amazing cook. This food is absolutely delicious; you've really brightened up my mood," Kelvin mumbled with a smile, trying to cheer me up. I gave him a weak smile and went inside, started chatting with Owen again. This time, I felt an overwhelming need to see him. My body’s basal temperature was quite high due to ovulation, and I couldn't control the urge to be with Owen. I was still lost in thought when I received a text message from Owen, saying he wanted to see me tomorrow at a hotel. I felt a mix of excitement and guilt at the same time. What if Kelvin found out? Would he ever forgive me? I sighed deeply and went in for a warm bath. "Lily, why do you resist making love? Don’t you want us to have our own kids? It’s been two years since we got married, and I can count how many times we’ve had sex. What is your problem?" Kelvin asked, and felt overwhelmed by my intense attitude. I felt ashamed and morosely for the way I treated him, but I was still confused about how to open up to him.

"I'm really sorry, dear. I'm just not in the right frame of mind right now," I said, and we cuddled . It's fine, "He said with a calm smile, and we both fell asleep.

Chapter 3

A Moment of Weakness

It was a beautiful Thursday morning. Kelvin had prepared and left for work as usual, so I went into the washroom to shower and clean up. While I was in the bathroom, my phone rang repeatedly. I finished showering with immediate effect and rushed out of the bathroom. It was Owen calling, sounding tense and unusual, demanding to see me immediately. I quickly dressed up and boarded a cab heading to the location he sent me. On getting to the hotel room, it was a shocking surprise to see Owen laying down completely naked.

"What's the meaning of this? I said furiously, "Please put on your clothes; for crying out loud, I am a married woman, covering my face with my palm. Owen burst out laughing.

"You are such a joke, Lily. So, you are a married woman when you were busy calling and sending romantic texts to me?" he asked, still laughing. I felt ashamed of myself for coming in the first place and turned to leave immediately. Owen grabbed my waist and gave me a deep kiss, a moment I've been waiting for. I couldn't control myself, my body dopamine increased, as i was gasping at the same time. I haven’t felt such a feeling in a very long time, it was a beautiful moment that can’t be forgotten as we ended up making love to each other

After a couple of minutes I went to the restroom to clean up. I felt a wave of guilt and shame. It was as if I had committed an unforgivable sin. "Baby, you haven't changed a bit. I would like to have more of you. Let's keep this as our little secret, okay?" Owen said, looking at me seductively. I dressed up and left without saying a word to him. I boarded a taxi, with a face of disappointment. I couldn't help the tears flowing from my eyeballs down to my jaw. The Taxi driver noticed but kept staring at me through the rearview mirror.

Madam, is everything okay with you?"

The taxi driver asked, out of pity. "Yes, I'm fine. Just having a bad time at the moment, if there’s anything I could do to help just let me know “he asked softly" I'll be fine thanks, “said nonchalantly; just Keep moving, please. I don't want my husband to get home before me," I replied, wiping the tears off my face. Unfortunately, I came home to meet Kelvin. He came back earlier today. I was shocked to see his footwears outside. I walked in with fear. "Hi, love. Are you surprised? Please don't be. Hahaha, I forgot some files needed at the office at home. I came in not too long ago," he said, giving me a sharp smile. I let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, okay. Welcome," I said. I dropped my bag and my phone on a coffee table and went into the kitchen to drink some water. After finishing drinking the water, I came out to meet Kelvin holding my phone with a look of disappointment, tears set out of his eyes.

Chapter 4

The Unraveling Truth

I was shocked to see Kelvin holding my phone. I knew something was wrong, my heart palpitated.

"Lily, where did you go? Who is he? This person texted you saying he would like to have a taste of you again, saying you were so sweet that you reminded him of the good old days. Who is he? ‘Kelvin asked, "Start talking and tell me everything before I do something we'll both regret,"He demanded, his tone harsh. It felt like the ground should open and smother me. I nearly lost my balance, and it seemed like my brain could no longer function properly. Shame and guilt were written all over me. "Baby, please calm down. It's not what you think. I can explain, just calm down," I replied, trying to figure out how to cover up. He stood up and moved closely, staring straight into my eyes.

"Explain. I'm listening. Go ahead," he said, his gaze intense. "This message is not for me. I don't know this person. Check the number—it wasn't saved on my phone. I think it's a wrong number. Please, you have to believe me," I said, hoping he would.

Kelvin handed me back my phone and left with the office files without saying a word. I was more confused than ever. "Oh my God, I'm finished," I said to myself. I stood in the living room, wondering what could be going on in my husband's mind. I called Owen immediately, telling him the situation. He sounded like he was happy with the whole thing.

"Why are you crying? Isn't it obvious you don't have any love for that man? Why are you toying with his feelings? Telling him the whole truth cost you nothing but happiness. By the way, I want to see you. Same place, same time tomorrow," he said, ending the call. I sat down, lost in thought, thinking about what Owen said "I think he is right. For how long will I keep deceiving Kelvin and myself? I just have to tell him the truth and leave this marriage," I said to myself and went inside to take a nap, as I was already suffering from a severe migraine.

It's 5 O’clock in the evening when Kelvin came back from work, to my surprise! He came back with a gift. I was shocked to see him happy. He hugged me tightly, "I'm sorry for going through your phone. I'm sorry for suspecting and questioning your love for me. See, I got you a gift. Open it," he said, holding me close. I opened the gift box and found a necklace. It's a silver ocean wave necklace. "It’s so beautiful" I said, weeping uncontrollably. He was such a good man. "Please stop crying. I don't want to see you in tears," he said, wiping my tears with his hands. Now I’m confused, I didn't know if I should tell him the truth or continue to play along.

Chapter 5

The Confession

After Kelvin presented me the beautiful necklace, he took me out that night to a lovely and well decorated restaurant in the city. We had dinner and then returned home. With all Kelvin's effort to make me feel loved and happy, still yet; I couldn't find it easy to show him the love that he deserved. There’s no name to give my reckless and unacceptance actions other than being called “a player”. The more I tried to love my husband and forget about Owen, the more I hated myself. "I just have to tell him the truth," I said to myself.

Kelvin went in to take his bath. I was getting ready to spill everything to him. "Baby, why didn't you join me in the bathroom? It's been a while since we had our bath together," Kelvin said, dabbing his body with a towel.

"We need to talk," I replied, fear consumed me.

"Lily, if it's about what happened earlier today, forget about it. I believe you. It must be a wrong number, like you said," Kelvin replied with a smile. Now the show is about to begin. I need to tell him about my feelings, how I felt for him and the feelings I still have for my ex ‘Owen’. I sat him down and then started to talk; for a second my heart was captured with a grieve of fear but then I summoned the courage to talk. I told him everything about Owen and me. I confessed how I truly felt about him, admitting that I married Kelvin out of pity and for my own selfish reasons. After the whole narrative I couldn't help but to start weeping. “Kelvin mimicking; What?? Are you for real!? ‘Lily answer me; Are you serious right now? He asked with a trait of display. How could you do this to me, Lily? What have I done to deserve this pain you’ve caused me? Answer me!! Said with a tone of harshness. What have I ever done to you to deserve this? What does Owen have that I don't? Haven't I been a loving and caring husband to you? Have I ever treated you out of pity? Why!! Why did you hurt and hunt me down so much?" Kelvin lamented, tears flowing down his cheeks.

I knelt down immediately and asked for forgiveness. "I'm really sorry. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but please find a place in your heart to forgive me Kelvin. I felt so ashamed of myself right now. Please, let go of our marriage, let’s divorce please! By then I can be free from my consciousness and stop wasting each other's time. I said, weeping continuously, unable to look him in the eye. "Divorce? Lily, Divorce? Fine. Divorce you will get," Kelvin said with tears flowing effortlessly and then left the room, locking himself up in the guest room. I couldn't help but to keep sobbing and crying till damn, sleep eluding me.

The next day, I checked if he had opened the door, but he had left the house without notifying me. I felt sad and broken, losing my appetite to eat or drink anything. I decided to pack my things. I don't know what would happen when he came back. While packing, Owen called. I explained everything to him, and he was excited. He asked me to come over to his hotel room with my bags and belongings. "Why a hotel? What about your house?" I asked. He replied; "I want us to spend some time at the hotel before going to my place. There's an engineer working on my house interior; “He said. I packed my things and left a letter for Victor on the sofa before leaving the house. Arriving at the hotel room, tears were flowing like a river out of my sight. Owen consoled me, giving me an assurance I felt relieved a little bit. We took a warm bath together and fell asleep. It was 6:45 pm when my ringing phone woke me up. It was Kelvin.

"Where are you, Lily? I saw the letter you dropped on the table. You left without even saying goodbye. You’re such a heartless human being I've ever met. Lily “I love you so much. Is this how you’ll pay me back? Please tell me all this is nothing but a dream," Kelvin said with a tone of poop. "I'm so sorry, Kelvin. I can't keep deceiving you, this is the right thing to do at least I'll be free from my consciousness. You will hear from my lawyer soon," I said weakly and hung up on him. Owen pecked me and said; "You are doing the right thing, baby. relax. He will be fine," he said, coming closer to me. Owen hugged me tightly. "Don't worry, everything will be okay," he whispered in my ear. We had dinner. I'm not usually an alcoholic lover, but Owen convinced me to try some that night. We both got drunk and made love.

Chapter 6

The Crushing Betrayal

The next morning, I woke up early, my mind racing with thoughts of Kelvin and how he must be feeling. I went into the bathroom to freshen up. When I came out, Owen was already awake.

"Good morning, darling. How was your night?" he asked, getting up from the bed.

"Not fine. I feel like a terrible human being," I replied feebly. "You are not a terrible person, okay? Cheer up. Your ex-husband will be fine, trust me," he said and went into the bathroom. Meanwhile, Kelvin had been drinking heavily and paralyzed at home, unable to go to work, slowly becoming a shadow of his former self. I regretted toying with Kelvin’s heart, realizing I had married him for my own egocentric desires. While I was lost in these thoughts, Owen's phone started ringing repeatedly. The contact was saved as "My World." thinking it was his mom or sister, I picked up to tell her to exercise patience, as Owen was in the bathroom. To my shock, it was a woman complaining that the kids were missing him and demanding to know when he's coming back. I was stunned and hung up without saying a word. Trying to comprehend what just happened, Owen came out of the bathroom, furious. "Why did you pick my call, Lily? Why can't you mind your business for once?" he yelled at me. "Owen, I can't believe you've been lying to me all this while, who really are you?" I asked, furiously. Owen stormed out, slamming the door, leaving me only in the hotel room as I sat down, feeling used and confused. "Does it mean Owen is married with kids? Oh my God, what have I gotten myself into? This is the third time Owen is hurting me. I thought he was a changed person," I said to myself, trying to heighten everything. A couple of minutes later Owen is back with beverages and fruit juice. "Lily, please don't piss me off again, okay? The lady who called is the mother of my kids, my wife. I don't joke with her. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but you don't expect me to stay single all these years. Relax, I have plans for us too," he said, giving me a wink.

I felt like I was losing my breath. "Owen, you are a wicked person. So, you've been making use of me all this while. I left my marriage because of you. So you lied to me that you were renovating your house. I’ve loved you from the very first day we met. Why do you always hurt my feelings and treat me like a piece of trash? How do I heal from this heartbreak? What is going to happen to me, what is my gain Owen? I am talking to you, " For a second I thought I was going to die when I felt a panic attack as I broke down in tears.

"Lily, Are you a dumbass? Can’t you for once understand me, didn't you hear when I said I'm going to get married to you as he starts to gaslight me, don't worry we are going to get married, but you have to keep making me happy and keep this our relationship away from my family. Come on, I know you are obsessed with me. Just relax and let's have fun," Owen said, fondling my waist.

"Take your hands off me! Did I hear you say you will marry me? In other words, you want me as a second wife? You are not serious. So, it's just a fun thing you've been having with my body all this while, all the flattery and affectionate talk is a deceit. Oh my God, Owen, I can’t believe this, where do I go from here? So you came back into my life to destroy me completely Owen? You won. Listen; I won’t curse you nor pray for you. But you'll regret what you did to me, you'll surely pay for destroying my life, my marriage. You made me divorce my husband, someone that loves me, that cares for me just to destroy my life. You will surely reap what you sow. I promised. I'm leaving this sham you call a room," I raged in anger, tears streaming down my cheeks, I packed my things to leave, but the door was locked. "Owen, open this door! Open it now," I said, turning to him with tears in my eyes.

That was when I experienced the worst pain of my life. Owen grabbed and dragged me to the bed, forced a white substance into my mouth, I barely moved myself as I was unable to do anything after what he put in my mouth and then he assaulted me. After some hours, I woke up with a migraine. "What happened?" I whispered, trying to recall. I tried getting up, but the pain was too much. "Owen, Owen," I called out, but there was no reply. I managed to stand up, picked my bag to leave, only to find my zips open. Checking my things, I realized all my money is missing. " Where do I go from here?"

Luckily, I found my phone and tried reaching out to Kelvin, but he didn't pick up. Coming downstairs to leave the hotel, I never knew that I'm going to get into another problem. The receptionist called me and demanded a huge amount of money Owen owed. I made the transaction through my bank account and pleaded with the lady for some extra cash to transport myself even if I don't know where to go from there.

Chapter7

Consequences Unfold

After leaving the hotel I don’t know where to go. I can’t go back to my parent’s house because they’re also not happy with me for the crime I committed, So i headed back home to meet Kelvin.

On getting home, Kelvin was sitting on the floor drunk and sad, he'd been consuming alcohol helplessly I walked in and quickly rushed to help him. He was so drunk that I couldn't lift him up. I dragged him and laid him on the sofa, took off his clothes and dropped my bag inside, even though I don't know what would happen if the alcohol lessened from his eyes. After helping Kelvin and dragged him on the sofa, I cleaned up the sitting room and went inside. I took a bath, changed into something light, and went to bed. I was fast asleep when I felt a slap on my back. I jumped up immediately to find Kelvin standing over me, anger written all over his face.

"A cheater! What are you doing in my house?" he demanded. I knelt down in shame. "Baby, please, I'm sorry for the pain and shame I brought you, I don’t know what came over me. I let obsession take control over me. Deep down, I know I don't deserve another chance from you, but I have no place to go. My family won't even accept me back; they are not happy with me, I burst into tears weeping continuously.

So, “Lily, you think I’m a fool who you can leave and come back to anytime, and I’ll just accept you back? No! You've done enough already. Please pack your things and go back to your ex, whom you are obsessed with," Kelvin said, heading to the door. I quickly grabbed his legs “Kelvin please, I’m begging you. Don’t do this to me. I'm really sorry. I never knew Owen was married. He only took advantage of me. Now I’ve come to realize you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Please give me a second chance to prove to you I’m a changed person. I will give you all the attention, love, and respect you deserve. Please," I pleaded, tears streaming down uncontrollably. Kelvin picked up my bag. I felt relieved, thinking he had forgiven me, but I was wrong. His mind was made up.

"Lily, I’ve forgiven you, but I’m sorry, I can’t continue with this marriage. If you hadn’t found out that your lover was married, you wouldn’t have come back. Moreover, you broke the trust I had in you, and I don’t think I can forget all you did, even though I’ve forgiven you. Please leave my house. I will send you some money to get a place to settle down and start something new. My lawyer will serve you the divorce papers. Please leave; I don’t want to force you," Kelvin said! pointing at the door.

I stood up, sadness overwhelmed me. I couldn’t control my tears as I walked to the door like a lost child. I knew it was all over when Victor shut the door without looking at my face. I closed my eyes, wishing I could go back to the past. "What have I done?" I said to myself. "Look what obsession has led me into. I wish I could turn back time." Now it’s over for me, where should I start from here? I walked down the street, holding my bag, tears flowing down my cheeks. I didn’t value what the universe had offered me until I lost it.

Moral lesson

"Lured by the Past" serves as a powerful reminder to value and appreciate the people who genuinely care about us. The story illustrates the importance of trust and loyalty in relationships, showing how difficult it is to rebuild trust once it is broken. Lily's obsession with her ex led her to make destructive decisions that caused immense pain for herself and those around her. The story highlights the dangers of obsession, demonstrating how it can cloud judgment and lead to regretful actions.

Infidelity is portrayed as harmful not only to the betrayed partner but also to the one who strays, leading to emotional turmoil and guilt. The story underscores the necessity of honesty and integrity, showing how Lily's initial dishonesty and selfishness resulted in significant suffering. It also emphasizes the importance of self-respect and setting healthy boundaries in relationships. Lily's failure to do so allowed Owen to manipulate and use her, further deepening her heartbreak.

Ultimately, the story teaches us that we must learn from our mistakes and that recognizing and accepting our faults is crucial for personal growth and healing. While forgiveness is important, it doesn't always mean reconciliation. Kelvin's decision to forgive Lily but still proceed with the divorce highlights that sometimes moving on is the best option for one's peace and well-being. In essence, "Obsessed with My Ex" reminds us to cherish what we have, uphold trust and loyalty, and always act with integrity and self-respect.