MasukAlina's POVNAKED.I was naked. Nothing on me! How? Edrick took my clothes off? When did I even fall asleep?I tried to avoid Edrick's face, which was literally a few inches from mine. I knew the longer I stared at him, the harder I would blush.I looked around, but this bed and room were not familiar."You brought me to your room?" I blurted. At that moment, I was trying to remember what happened and how I fell asleep."It's better than barging into your room, Alina." He said my name as if he wanted confirmation, as if he was scared I would become a stranger again.I pulled the covers up all the way to my neck, then sat up.I let myself examine the room. It was the typical guy's room. Every color was in its darkest shade, and an insanely expensive art piece hung on the wall.Edrick flung one of his shirts to me. I hadn't even noticed he had left the bed and was also putting on a shirt and pair of trousers."So, now what?" I asked. I was surprised that now that I had admitted to being
Edrick's POVBecause as she fought, with her voice breaking, the only words that rang in my head were, "She's Alina. She's Alina. She's Alina."But I did not want to get my hopes up."Tell me the real story."I looked down, my eyes meeting hers. I was ready for the usual face change and acting like she had no idea. But with the way she was looking at me, I knew she wasn't going to do that.And even better, I knew my Alina was back.My Alina.Mine.I used the back of my hands to clean the tears staining her face and waited for the ragged breaths to become even again."I was forced," she started, and my heart almost stopped.I pushed back the golden strands covering her face. I wanted to look at her while she spoke, just to make sure it was really my Alina. That she wouldn't go back to denying she was the one.I wanted to tell her to stop the story so I could kiss her like it would make up for the time we spent apart. Like it would heal that huge crack in my heart I had been living with
Edrick’s POVI made sure to put my phone on silent before joining her in the pool. The last thing I wanted was Adrian blowing up my phone with calls. And knowing Adrian, he would do that.I had three executive meetings and a presentation to attend, but the second I heard Hannah say Liana wasn’t going to work, it felt like a demon had possessed me and was calling out to me desperately.I wanted to spend that leisure time with her so badly.Since I had them move in, we never had the chance to spend quality time together. There was no way I was missing that opportunity for some dumb meetings. Besides, Adrian would handle the meetings just fine. That, I was sure of.Whatever this crazy feeling was, Liana, I was done fighting it back. I was going to enjoy the moment to the fullest. And I did not care how suspicious her whole existence was. I wanted what I wanted.With how red she had turned just from me asking to join her, I knew this afternoon was going to be worth it.“So, Liana Bennett,
Alina's POVBetween Edrick and me, I did not know who was angrier.We both drove in silent frustration from the station back to the penthouse.I did not want to talk about it, and he knew that too. Jason refused to talk.Fuck. The lying rat denied knowing Aria completely.If I wasn’t his ex, I would have bought his lie because of how convincing he sounded.With the way things are going, I know he will get his bail as soon as his lawyer shows up. And that's it. This case will be closed.“Whatever happens, just know I won't let anyone hurt you or your daughter.”YOUR DAUGHTER.I wanted to scream so badly that it was his daughter too. But that would be bullshit. I can't do it. At least not yet.When we got back, Edrick offered to go pick up Clover.I said yes. That was the only way he got to bond with his daughter.“You are sleeping here?” I asked when he got back, kicked his shoes off, and made his way to the bedroom across from ours.“I live here!” He raised a brow.My face flushed ins
Alina's POVI was lazing around.Edrick took Clover to school. She finally had a chance to spend time with her father.If the excitement in her eyes didn't make me feel guilty as hell, then I don't know what would.I sat by the porch, watching the beautiful view in front of me.When I was first brought to this place years ago, I was in panic mode, worried about Aria and hoping she would just show up and switch back.But now, I get to peacefully enjoy the luxury penthouse without bothering about anything else.I was just enjoying the taste of hot coffee on my tongue when a call came in, ruining my peace."Hello?" I answered."I sent you a video." That was all Edrick said before ending the call.He didn't even say hi or tell me how he got my number.I shook my head and went straight to my DMs to check what he was so worked up about.It was CCTV footage from last night. A man leaving my apartment block. Even without seeing his face, I could tell he was someone I knew.I was proved right
Alina's POVI should have said no to his offer.I was going to say no. But the moment he mentioned Clover, I gave up.I know who Aria is. I know what she has done and what she is capable of. If Edrick is the only chance for safety for my daughter, then I am willing to take all the help he has to offer.Clover was at the table, munching her cereal while Edrick and Lila helped me pack.Just clothes and other necessities. This would not be a permanent move, so I did not bother packing more than two suitcases.Lila promised to visit as she drove off to her house.Clover and I got into Edrick’s car, and he drove us to our new destination.At first, I did not recognize the place.It was a huge building with many high-class apartments. The kind of place you cannot enter without a face scan and a thumbprint.When we entered the elevator, Edrick skipped all the floor numbers from 1-49 and clicked on a button that had the letter P on it. He inserted his fingerprint, and only then did the eleva
ALINA’S POVHis lips crashed into mine with a desperation that stole the air from my lungs.For a split second, I froze.I didn’t want this, not like this, not now, but my body reacted before my mind could catch up. Maybe it was shock. Maybe it was the weight of everything between us. Maybe it was
ARIA’S POVIt felt useless sitting in the luxury when in reality, it wasn’t mine. Edrick still wasn’t mine. At least not the way I wanted him to be.I sat alone in the sitting room, my hands folded over my stomach, listening to the slow tick of the antique clock on the wall. Every second felt louder
ALINA’S POVThe cab finally stopped in front of a small hotel tucked between two aging buildings. The sign flickered like it was tired of trying. This will do, I told myself as I dragged my suitcase
CHAPTER 67 — ALINA’S POVThe minute I stepped out of the embassy, the heat slapped me across the face like it owed me money. The sun was ridiculous, sharp, blinding, burning into my skin. I hissed under my breath, but I didn’t take a cab. I couldn’t. Not anymore.If I was going to survive six whol







