INICIAR SESIÓNEDRICK'S POVThis was the life I have always wanted.I never thought of it, but now that it was right before my eyes, it made so much sense.Too much sense.Alina beside me, Jaime and Clover running after each other in the gardens. It was perfect. Too perfect.I wish I could freeze time. I wish I could keep the moment like this forever."What did John say?" Alina asked, breaking the moment.John."He said the first hearing will be fixed this week," I explained.John had called me earlier while I was at work."Uhmmm," she let out a sigh.I placed my hands on her shoulder, moving her closer."Nervous?"She gave a small nod."It will be fine," I said, placing my lips on her forehead."Anna's statement will be taken tomorrow," I added.She moved back a bit."How did she even agree to cooperate?" She asked.I smiled. "Long story. I convinced her."The smile didn't reach my eyes. But no one needs to know I made her sign a deal she might end up hating me for.......Morning came.Tuesday mor
ANNA'S POVHe agreed! I could not believe he agreed to give me the money!I rushed to pick two wraps from my drawer.Now that Edrick was going to give me money, there is no need managing the few wraps I had left.I hopped on my bed, unwrapped the first one and took it like a starved lion finally seeing meat.A smile I hadn't planned for appeared on my face.I unwrapped the second one, took it, and only then did my trembling hands calm down. My heartbeat began to slow down, the world began having colors again. Everything felt good, and for the first time since morning, the world made sense."Uhmm," I stood from the bed. I couldn't feel my feet hitting the floor, but I knew I was moving.Maybe I was floating.I made it to the drawers and searched for more. I was sure I had at least two more.My smile widened when I touched three more wraps.I didn't even bother going back to bed. I unwrapped, inhaled, unwrapped, inhaled. Each wrap brought a unique feeling, each wrap brought light to my
Edrick’s POVMonday morning came, and I was still stuck where I had been mentally.Nothing was getting better—except, of course, for the fact that Alina slept beside me every night.More than anything, Anna’s demand kept ringing in my head. The way her hands had trembled… that image refused to leave me.I grunted as I got dressed for work, every passing second only adding to my frustration.“Hmm.”Alina’s reflection appeared beside mine in the mirror.“Someone looks too good for work.” She smiled.I turned around, my back resting against the edge of the vanity.“Well, I don’t even want to be there. I want to be with you.”“Aww,” she sighed, her eyes melting as an upside-down smile appeared on her face.“Well…” She picked up my tie.“We don’t have a choice.”She placed it around my neck and began knotting it.Every time her fingers brushed against my chest, a tingling sensation ran through me.I held myself together long enough for her to finish tying it before wrapping an arm around h
Alina's POVAfter the talks with josh, Edrick and I drove back home. I needed Aria off my mind. Just fot a while, so, I rushed upstairs to Clover the moment we stepped in. "Mommy!" She hugged me. She was playing save the dolls with Jaime's Spider man toys. "Hello Jaime," I smiled at him. He stared at me for an awkwardly long second before nodding "Hello," he said, barely audible. He looked away as quickly as he looked my way. I let out a deep sigh.I didn't want to think about it, didn't want to push it, but I couldn't help it. "Do you guys want to go out for ice-cream later?" I asked. Clover was nodding, she opened her mouth to say yes, when Jiame interrupted. "Nanny already gave us ice-cream." "Yes she did," Clover added. I forced a smile and a small, "Okay," Left my lips. Just then, the nanny walked in with a bowl of snacks. "Did clover take all of her medicines?" I asked. "Yes ma'am, I made sure of that." Shde ssaid bending to serve the snack. The kid celebrated
Edrick's povWe got home, but still, my mind had a thousand things going on.Jason, work, Aria...Everything was getting to me at once."I'll go check on Clover," Alina said.She practically flew up the stairs after that, leaving me to myself.I sat on the living room couch, my head resting on my hand."You're back."Hannah's voice interrupted my mini thought session.I raised my head to meet her eyes."I thought you left for work," I said dryly."I did. I just came back early."She sat across from me, her eyes glued to me."What do you want, Hannah? Dad sent you to ask more questions?" I groaned.Her face squeezed into a frown."No," she said. "But you know Uncle wants what's best for us. Right?""And Alina isn't what's best for me?""No!" She almost yelled."The thing is, it's just a lot to take in. Alina and...""Hannah!" I yelled."It's overwhelming, Edrick. She came back from the dead after betraying you! She came back with a child and says it's yours.""Because Clover is mine! S
Alina's POV“Aria is…” John trailed off.“She’s what?” I asked.I didn’t even know why I had asked to see her.I just wanted to.“She had a breakdown the last time she had a visitor,” John stated.I tried to think.What visitor? Because when we had visited her, she was so composed.Too composed.So why and how did she end up having a breakdown?“Who?” The word left my mouth the moment I got it.Mom.“Your mother,” John said, confirming my thoughts.“We have decided it’s better she stays confined and meets fewer people. We don’t want any more triggers,” he said.I nodded.I wanted to say, “I understand.” But if I did, I would be lying.I rested my head and tried to remember again.My eyes closed. Minutes passed, and still, only the haunting images and sounds came to my head.“Just…”My voice trailed off. I opened my eyes and stared at John.“Just what?” he asked.I swallowed.“I need to see her.”John’s expression tightened.“I already told you, Alina. It isn’t a good idea right now.”
Aria’s POVI did not stop running until I reached the part of the house where I could crashout in peace. The library.No one ever comes here. The door slammed shut behind me, but it did nothing to quiet the noise in my head. My chest rose and fell too fast, anger and humiliation burning through me
Edrick’s POVIt had been days.Days since I last saw her.Days since I heard her voice.Days since I felt that pull in my chest that only Alina could create.I had gone to the bar more times than I cared to admit. I went under the excuse of a drink. Under the excuse of checking on things. Under the
Edrick’s POVDanger.The word echoed in my mind.I forced my face to remain composed.“I’ll get to the bottom of this,” I said firmly. “I promise you.”But beneath my controlled tone, panic was clawing its way through me.She could be fine.She could have changed her mind.She could be hiding somew
Alina’s POVI shot up from the bed like someone had poured ice water over me.My phone was still in my hand.The screen was still glowing.The email was still open.I stared at it again, my vision blurring as tears welled up in my eyes. My head began to spin so fast I had to grip the edge of the ma







