Masuk**Alina's POV**As soon as the call with John ended, we began preparing. Edrick did not say a word to me, and I didn't talk to him either.I freshened up, got a shirt that belonged to Edrick and a pair of pants, tied my hair in a bun, then followed Edrick down the elevator to his car.The drive to the hospital was complete silence. The only time Edrick spoke was when he called John to confirm which hospital she was in."This way," John said when we walked into the reception.Still without a word to each other, we followed him down the quiet hospital halls to a private room.Stepping in, the first thing I saw was horror.Aria.Lying on the bed, her face up, her nose masked with oxygen tubes. There were bruises all over her body. If it wasn't for the machine showing the zigzag lines, I would have assumed she was dead because that was exactly what she looked like.Dead.I gulped as I stepped closer, taking her in.With her eyes closed and her body unmoving, you wouldn't believe the amoun
ALINA'S POVI was going to sink into the mattress and close my eyes. For just one minute or two.But then, I noticed Edrick standing by the closet door. Frozen. Staring at the mess I had made.He stepped into the closet in complete silence.At that moment, I knew what was running through his mind.I paced toward him.“Edrick...” My words were stuck in my throat as I stepped into the closet.“I'm sorry,” I said, avoiding eye contact.“Maybe if you had trusted me, Clover wouldn't be in this situation.” Even with his trembling voice, his words were sharp.I opened my mouth to say something, anything, to explain my actions, but I had no words.“It's your fault,” he said.He said those words.To me.“My fault?” My voice cracked. I did not want any tears falling from my eyes. Not with how sore my eyelids already were.But I could not help it.“Yes,” Edrick said, finally turning to face me.“If you had told me, if you hadn't snuck out, maybe Clover wouldn't be in the hospital!”That was it.
EDRICK'S POVThe journey from the bridge to the hospital was a blur.I just wanted Clover safe. That's all I wanted.As I stood over her, watching the machines beep, with oxygen tubes connected to her nose, a wave of dizziness washed over me.She's just six. My daughter is just six. She does not deserve to go through any of this.I failed her. I failed my daughter.The nurse came in to tell us it was time to leave.I looked up. I wanted to fight, to tell her no, that I would stay with my daughter through it all. But I knew better than that.Without a fight, Alina and I stepped out of the room.To my surprise, the hallway was packed.Who invited them all? Who even told them our location?Lila and Hannah went straight to embrace Alina, while Adrian and Anna came to me."What do you want?" I grumbled. I did not want to see or talk to anyone, especially Adrian."We heard what happened. We couldn't stay back," Adrian explained, and Anna gave a supporting nod."Well, none of you are needed,
Alina's POVNO! NO!I raced towards Clover the moment Aria threw her to the ground.I should have been faster. I should have been fast enough.Most importantly, I should have known Aria wouldn't just let her go.I got to Clover the exact moment the trigger was pulled.The air stopped. Everything around stopped. My lungs forgot how to breathe.Clover fell into my arms, cold and motionless.My throat went dry. I opened my mouth for a scream, but nothing came out.All I could feel was the weight of Clover on me.I wrapped my hands around her, hugging her to my chest.“Clover,” my lips trembled.I hugged her even tighter.That was when I felt it.Warmth on my fingers.I paused, as if holding my breath would make it all stop.I raised my palms, and that was when I knew my life was over.Red-soaked blood.My baby's blood.She shot her.Aria shot my Clover.Aria shot her!“Nooooooo!” I screamed.“Clover, please, look at me.” I placed my bloody hands on her face, tapping it lightly.It was co
Aria's POVLiana, Liana, Liana.I laughed loudly as I drove away from her.The bitch thinks she can play me?The moment the cash hit my car, I began driving.She should have been smarter. She should have known if I was going to give Clover back, I would have held her back and exchanged.I watched through the mirror as she ran after my car. Pathetic fool. This is what she gets for stealing my husband.My attention shifted to Clover, whose face was now soaked in tears. Her body was shaking, and damn, if I hadn't tied her so well, she would have jumped out of the car.“I'll take you to your mommy.” The words tasted bitter on my lips. I hated how soft my voice sounded. I hated it. “Once we get to the border. Once I'm out safely,” I said, mostly to myself. I looked away, biting my lip to stop myself from uttering any more comforting words to her.She was Liana's daughter. Her mother ruined my life. She does not deserve my empathy.I pushed forward. Liana was still running after the car. I
ALINA'S POVBack and forth and back and forth, that is what I would call the game Aria was playing.I got the money and got into the car.I called her.Switched off.I called again and again and again as I drove away from Edrick's penthouse.I wanted my daughter back.Now that I knew I had a chance, I did not want to play with it.Aria, of course, was in the mood to play.My frustration was growing beyond a normal limit when a call finally came through."Where's my money?" she asked."I have it here," my answer was fast. "Where is my daughter?""You did not tell anyone now, did you?" She ignored my question.Clover will be fine. I tried to convince myself. As long as I play this right, she won't hurt her."No. No one knows.""Where's Edrick?" she asked."I left him in the room, sleeping."There was a second of silence before she spoke again."Start driving south of the city gates. We are leaving DL City," she said before hanging up.God in heaven knows I can't tell where the south of
Alina’s POVThe spa was tucked away on the far side of the island, a world apart from the chaos of the main villa. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the soft, rhythmic crash of waves made the place feel like it existed outside of time. I could already tell I’d fallen in love with the smel
Alina’s POVI practically ran into the club.My lungs burned, my head still slightly heavy from the fever, but I forced myself forward. The bass was already thundering through the walls. I slipped behind the counter just as my boss turned around.“You’re late,” he barked.“I’m sorry,” I said quickl
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 POVTwo dates a week. Flowers every night. No staying late at the office. No excuses. No distractions.I was doing everything right, or at least everything a man in my position was supposed to do. On paper, I looked like the perfect husband. Attentive. Present. Trying. But none of it felt







