Chapter 003

Alina’s head shifted restlessly on the pillow, her face twisted in discomfort, as though trapped in a nightmare.

Then, suddenly, her eyes snapped open, wide and filled with panic. She gasped for air, her chest rising rapidly as though she’d been drowning.

She raised a trembling hand to her face, but a sharp sting in her arm made her flinch.

Her gaze dropped, and she saw it— the thin IV line taped to her skin.

Confused, she slowly sat up and yanked it out. The pain made her wince, but she didn’t stop.

Looking around the sterile white room, the strong scent of disinfectant stung her nose.

She was in a hospital.

But why?

Then, flashes of memory crashed into her mind painfully; her boyfriend’s cruel words, her sister’s laughter… the image of them in bed together.

Her pale, dry lips curled into a faint smile, but it wasn’t one of joy. It was bitter.

They had made a fool of her.

She had given them her trust, her love… and they had crushed it like it meant nothing.

A slight sound made her turn her head. That was when she noticed someone sitting in a chair beside her bed.

It was her friend curled up awkwardly, dozing in the uncomfortable seat.

Alina stared at her for a moment, then quietly pushed the blanket off her legs. She slid her feet to the floor and stood up, moving silently toward the door.

The sound of movement stirred Lorraine. Her brows furrowed as she blinked awake just in time to see Alina nearing the exit.

“Hey—wait!” Lorraine quickly stood and reached for her, gently grabbing her arm. “What are you doing? You shouldn’t be walking around.”

Alina turned to her. “I’m leaving,” she said plainly.

“Leaving?” Lorraine frowned, placing her hands lightly on Alina’s shoulders. “Alina, don’t tell me you’re planning something stupid—like hurting yourself?”

Alina glanced down at Lorraine’s hands, then slowly reached up and removed them.

“Hurt myself?” she repeated with a soft laugh, shaking her head. “No. That would make it too easy for them. And they don’t deserve that."

"He’ll pay for this." She added.

Lorraine stared at her, brows furrowed. She didn’t need to ask. She already knew.

Alina must have found out about Kelvin and Jennifer… the very thing she’d been warning her about.

“What are you going to do?” Lorraine asked cautiously, her eyes locked on her friend’s eerily calm expression.

Alina shrugged, casually twisting a lock of her hair around one finger. "Nothing drastic. Just… going to be a little more selfish now."

She glanced over her shoulder, her lips curling again, “Maybe even a little wicked.”

She chuckled, a sound that sent a chill down Lorraine’s spine.

“Come on,” Alina said, already heading for the door. “Let’s go.”

Lorraine remained there, watching her walk out of the ward like she didn’t care about anything anymore.

She wanted to say something, to stop her, to ask if she was really okay.

But no words came.

Was she alright? Did she need a doctor? A therapist?

Or was this just… Alina now?

Still silent, Lorraine followed.

......

Alina glanced up at the familiar building she’d always called home, inhaling softly before walking toward the front door.

Inside, everything felt colder than she remembered. Without hesitation, she made her way to her room. Once there, she pulled a suitcase from under the bed and opened her wardrobe.

She began folding clothes, placing them neatly inside until something on the nightstand caught her eye.

A framed picture.

She picked it up slowly.

It was of her and Kelvin, both smiling brightly, arms wrapped around each other. His cheek was pressed against hers.

Her fingers brushed lightly over the glass. They looked happy. Like the perfect couple in a perfect love story.

But it had all been a lie.

"You’re home?"

A voice interrupted, and Alina turned to see her stepsister standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a smug smile playing on her lips.

Alina said nothing. She simply turned back to her suitcase and calmly resumed her packing.

Jennifer stepped further into the room. “Going somewhere?” she asked, stifling back a laugh. “You know… it’s honestly hilarious how long we kept you fooled.”

Still, Alina didn’t respond. She didn’t even flinch.

Jennifer walked further in, eyes gleaming with cruelty. "Remember that night Kelvin told you he had a business meeting on your first anniversary?"

She let out a mocking sigh. "Well, the truth is… he was with me. Between my legs, to be exact."

Her smile widened. "It was… unforgettable."

Alina didn’t react. She kept folding. Kept zipping. Kept moving.

Jennifer stepped closer until she was right behind her.

"I have a little secret," she whispered, leaning in like they were sharing gossip. "Shh… don’t tell Kelvin I told you."

She leaned in even closer, her lips nearly brushing Alina’s ear.

"I was the one who texted you yesterday to come to the penthouse. I thought it was finally time you saw the truth for yourself. He never loved you, Alina. He was always mine."

Alina zipped her luggage shut and lifted it from the bed before finally turning to her sister.

"I wish you two all the best." she said softly, a small smile forming on her lips. "You make a lovely pair."

Without waiting for a reaction, she walked past Jennifer and out the door.

Jennifer stood frozen in place, her smile fading. That wasn’t the reaction she wanted.

She had expected rage. Tears.

But instead, Alina walked away like none of it mattered anymore.

And somehow… that hurt more.

........

Alina arrived at Lorraine’s apartment, suitcase in hand. After a brief rest, she decided to visit her workplace.

“Are you sure you’re okay enough to go to work?” Lorraine had asked, but Alina could only smile.

When she arrived at the shop, she paused outside the glass door. Inside, she saw Fred, the older man who’d been her boss for years, checking over the arrangements and speaking to staff.

She stepped in quietly.

Fred looked up, momentarily surprised. “Well, well…” His voice trailed off as he took her in; simple clothes, a tired but composed face, hair pulled into a messy bun.

“What a surprise,” he said, walking toward her with a half-smile.

“Good afternoon, sir,” Alina greeted politely.

“It’s been ages.”

“I know,” she said. “Am I still allowed to come to work, Fred?”

Fred chuckled warmly. “Why not? This place missed you, Alina. We could really use your eye for colors.”

Alina laughed. "Thanks so much, sir."

Without wasting time, she walked over to her section while Fred quietly watched her.

Alina began gathering stems, petals, and ribbon. Her coworkers couldn’t stop whispering as they watched her with furrowed brows.

“What’s she doing?” one murmured.

“Isn’t that… a funeral bouquet?” another asked, brows furrowed.

“Boss,” someone whispered to Fred nearby, “is she—”

“Let her be,” he said gently but firmly. “Just let her do it.”

Then he turned away, leaving Alina alone with her flowers.

******

When Alina returned home that evening, she found Lorraine lounging in the living room, scrolling through her phone.

“Did that do the magic? I mean, your workplace,” Lorraine asked.

Alina sighed as she hung up her coat. “It was distracting,” she admitted, moving to sit beside her.

Lorraine nudged her playfully. “Good. Distraction is the first step.”

“What?” Alina arched a brow.

Lorraine grinned. “You remember there’s a dating party tonight?”

Alina groaned, leaning back. “I’m not going.”

“I know, I know. That’s where you met Kelvin. But—”

“I’m still not going,” Alina cut in firmly.

Lorraine groaned. “Come on, it’ll be fun. Your ex won’t be there. After you two started dating, he stopped showing up. He’s too rich and proud to attend things like that. And who knows? You might even meet someone better.”

Alina stared at her friend. Lorraine had a point. Maybe a distraction was exactly what she needed, a little dancing and some wine.

But then her mind drifted back to the funeral bouquet she’d made earlier.

What if she gave Kelvin a little goodbye gift?

She imagined the look on his face. The thought made her chuckle loudly.

Lorraine frowned. “What are you thinking? You’re scaring me,” she muttered, watching as her friend kept chuckling.

“Can you escort me to Kelvin’s place?” Alina asked with a mischievous smile. “I have a surprise for him.”