Chapter 3

Annalise

Everyone once had their traumatizing moment, and mine was just about to begin. Leaning on the creamy, white hospital wall, I watched as my mother battled for her own life, connected to a series of tubes and breathing machines. She just lay there, eyes closed, skin pale and faintly purple, having to exist was so much pain for her.

The machines made slight beeping sounds, and each time I remembered that she had to depend on them to survive, it was enough to crumble the remnants of my world. “Isn't there something you can do?” Rosie wrapped my shoulders as I stared at the doctor, trying hard to remain sane, “stabilize her condition for a few more weeks, I need to raise the money. Please.”

Rosie forced me to stare at her, “how about you return home to relax, honey? Let Mr. Jones and I figure this out.”

I shook my head, pushing her hands away. Something deep down told me they weren't telling the truth, it was written all over the doctor—Mr. Jones’s—face. Swallowing hard, I clutched my dress and exhaled loudly, “Is there something you're not telling me?”

“Anna–”

“Tell me the truth!” I snapped, fighting the burning ache in my chest. It was all too much to handle, but I couldn't show a sign of weakness in front of them. I had to show them I could handle my problems. Dr Jones turned to face me, his expression a mix of worry and hesitation, “apart from the money needed for your mother's surgery, she would need a kidney donor. Her other one is failing as well”

I shook my head and took a step backwards, “no.”

Rosie held me in place, wrapping her arms around me as I choked out a sob, “this can't be happening, it can't be happening. Tell me you're lying, please! Tell me she's going to wake up!” I cried out, trying to wriggle out of Rosie's grasp. A tear slipped down my cheeks as I felt my defensive walls crumbling. A part of me shattered into a thousand pieces when Mr. Jones blurted out the news.

My mother needed a donor and a whole lot of money to survive. I had none. my part-time jobs could only sustain her for a while, and it would take half a year to gather up money for her treatment. I hugged Rosie, wetting her white clothes with my tears, “I can't do this anymore, she's in pain.”

“Your mother's proud of you, honey.” Rosie's soft voice grazed my ears as she led me out of the ward, “you are strong, you have to be strong for your mother. No one else can save her but you.”

“And what if I'm too late?”

Rosie's face fell, but she still gave me a sincere smile, one as bright as the stars in the sky, “you can't be too late, you won't be too late.” She placed her both hands on my shoulders, eyes filled with warmth, “you're going to save your mother, honey. Go home now and have some rest.”

Rather than resting, I knew I had to return home to surf the internet for more part-time jobs with a reasonable pay. I pulled away and nodded, “thank you, Rosie. I'll be here first thing tomorrow morning.”

With the last dollar in my wallet, I boarded a taxi and told him the address of my home. It was strange how a few students were having fun at the prom and I was having to deal with my shitty and pathetic life. Even though it was almost midnight, the streets still bustled with life and a few restaurants were yet to close for the day.

The driver pulled up before my apartment and I sighed, wondering when it would be over. As soon as I paid the taxi driver, I realized there was a familiar figure standing before my door. Broad shoulders, tall athletic legs clad in black tailored pants. I'd have said it was Lucas, but he was clad in a blue tuxedo, not black.

And if it wasn't Lucas, who was he?

How did he find my home address?

I took a few steps backwards as he advanced towards me, his magnetic eyes never leaving mine. My eyes trailed towards the right and I realized there was a sleek black car parked over there—which was obviously his, and when I turned back to stare at him, I realized the color of his eyes—green.

He looked the same as Lucas, but his eyes were different. He was the different triplet, the deadly and unbothered one who barely showed his emotions to the world. Girls were terrified of him, but they still fawned over him. I didn't know if it was the mate bond, but I suddenly couldn't look away from him.

“I've been waiting for you, Annalise.” He whispered, trailing my cheeks with the tip of his cold fingers, “you kept me waiting for hours.”

“What do you want?” I whispered back, taking another step backwards.

His lips curled into a small smirk, “Isn't that obvious? I'm here to claim what's mine. My mate.”