LOGINAlina's POV A lump.There was a lump in my throat.More than that, there was a fast spreading ache in my heart. He was gone. Dead.Gone forever. I stared at the text. Read it over and over again. Maybe she meant something else. Will she send an explanation? I wondered. I wanted to text her questions, asking if she was mistaken. If she had an explanation to their¹ text. Begging her to tell me it was a lie. But I remembered, she's the one who lost her father, not me. I am just a stranger. [I am so sorry, Aria.] I texted back, then placed the phone on my chest, and closed my eyes shut to fight back tears. “Mommy, what's wrong?” Clover's tiny voice brought me back to reality. “Nothing.” I was choking on tears. Thankfully, by the time we got home, Grace was already waiting for us downstairs. Sad I had to leave Clover with her babysitter, but I had a lot on my plate. I hopped back into the taxi and gave the hospital's address. Then, I finally let my tears flow. My mind was
-ALINA'S POV.Dragged. I dragged my feet upstairs to our cozy apatment. Clover was asleep and so was her babysitter, Grace. I let them sleep in the room, and buried myself in the living room sofa. There, I let it all out. I cried my pain out, cried the pain of seeing my family so devastated. Of seeing my mom in so much pain. I hate it. I hate that I still loved them. I remember when I started a new life as Liana. I never thought I would miss them even for a second. I belived I hated them for all they have done, that they meant nothing. but now, right here, I knew I was still the same old Alina. It did not matter that I changed my hair and face. I still had the heart of the girl that loved her family like crazy. And I doubt that would ever change. I woke up the next morning with swollen face from all the crying. After a whole hour of dipping my face in ice cold water, I gave up and accepted my fate of going out with the face like that. I dropped Clover at school and then went st
Edrick's POVShe was still trembling.And no, I do not mean Aria whose father was in the ICU.I meant Liana, the lady who was hearing of Aria's family for the first time in her life.Was she just an empath? But how deep can empathy run? She looked completely worked up. At the hall ways while we waited for Aria and Mrs. Dawson, she looked as if she was forcing herself to stay put. As if she was fighting not to race into the ICU.And now, as we drove back home, she has her palms between her legs to stop them from shaking. Her face, pale. Everything seemed wrong with her. She looked even more worried than Aria.Why?Why was she so bothered."It's oaky, he will be fine." I said as we made a turn to Liana's street. At this point, I didn't even know who I was consoling. It seemed they both needed it."Thank you for tonight Liana," Aria said, when we parked in front of the big apartment building."That's what friends are for." Liana practically forced the words out before stepping out.As we
ALINA'S POVEveryone paused their panics and gave me strange looks. I knew I shouldn't have said I wanted to come too. But I could not help myself."I mean, I feel like, Aria is so devastated and would need support." I hoped my excuse sounded right and not stupid. ''Oh, Liana, you don't have to stress yourself." Aria reached out to tap my shoulder. "I insist. And I can just go home from there." "Alright then, can we stop the time wasting now?" I could not tell if Edrick was suspicious or just pissed as he chirped in. Either way, It did not matter at the moment. We hopped into the car and drove silently to the hosopital. I tried my best to not panic or act out of place. I neded to act normal. All my resolve broke when we got to the hallway and stumbled across mom. Hair disheveled and tears streaming down her cheeks. I haven't seen this woman in almost seven years, and now that I see her, I did not know what to feel. "Mom," Aria ran to hug her while I stood aside. Why was I fee
ALINA'S POVI stood by the sink and washed my face for the tenth time. I did not care that all my make up was now smudgy and ugly. I just wanted to wash the anxiety away.From being sad for Grandma Vale to being scared she was about to reveal my identity. "Saying trash again." That was what Aria had said. The woman says things, but why did it have to be so accurate with me? A few minutes passed and I realized it would start looking odd if I don't go back to the table. So, I washed my face one last time, clearing the remaining make up.As I walked towards the dining area, my minfd was fixed on getting a suitable excuse to get out of this dinner without raising suspicion. I was so lost in my thoughts I did not notice when I bumped into someone. Hard and strong. I did not need to look up to know it was Edrick. I waited for him to call me clumsy as usual. But instead, he asked. "What are you doing here?" I raised a brow. "Came for dinner. Can't you see?"His eyes raked over my bo
Alina's POVI was starting to regret my decision. Hell, I regretted it the moment I stepped out of the fashion house three days ago. After I told Aria we can be friends. I am not sure what friendship means to her, judging from the type of person she is, it's probably something very dark. But now, as I stared at my phone ringing with her caller ID boldly written on the screen. My regret started becoming curiousity, and a little bit of hope. May be it was not aa bad idea. "Hey Liana!" She squealed like a teen. "Aria, whats up." "Oh, nothing much! Just that, we havcen't met since tuesday. So, I was thinking , if you don't have plans tonight, you can join us for dinner at the Vale Mansion." Dinner, Vale Mansion. I haven't step foot in that building since the day Aria exposed me, called me a liar and made me the villian. How am I even tolerating this bitch? That's it, she deserves to be exposed. For all she had done to me. "I'll be there." I said. And I was there right on ti
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
Alina’s POVI did not want to go to the hospital that morning. I knew my body, and I knew hospitals. One always led to the other telling me something I was not ready to hear. But Lila had hovered over me for four straight days, watching the fever come and go, watching me drag myself to work like pr
Edrick’s POVAfter Alina ran off, I stood there longer than I should have.The parking lot felt too open, too bright, like everything had seen me freeze. I finally forced my legs to move and got into the car. The door shut with a dull thud, sealing me in with Aria’s presence, her perfume, her quiet
Alina’s POVHe was frozen.So was I.For a moment that felt too long and yet not long enough, the world narrowed down to just us. The parking lot noise faded into nothing. The passing cars, the distant horns, the murmur of people walking by, all of it disappeared. It was just his eyes on mine, heav







