MasukANDREA I kept giggling like an idiot as I stared at Alexās smiling face. I did not know why it made me feel so light, but it did. I walked closer until I was right in front of him and then wrapped my arms around him without thinking. He let out a small breath, the kind that sounded like I had caught him off guard in the best way. He leaned down and kissed my forehead, then my cheek, and then finally my lips. The kiss was deep and slow, and it made my knees go soft. I held on to him tighter because I honestly felt like I might fall. For a moment, he kissed me like he had missed me for weeks, like he had been holding back. Then suddenly he pulled away. I blinked, confused and a little annoyed. He looked like he did not want to stop either, like the kiss had messed with him as much as it did with me. But instead of coming back for more, he took my hand and guided me toward the kitchen. I followed him, still wondering what just happened. He let go of my hand only when he rea
ALEXANDER The moment the kitchen door closed behind us, I turned around and faced Andrew. I didnāt even try to hide how pissed I was. āWhat the hell is she doing here?ā I snapped. āWhy would you bring her? Do you think Andrea needs this right now?ā Andrew rubbed a hand over his face and let out a tired breath. He looked worn out, like he hadnāt slept properly even with Andrea around and already found. āI didnāt bring her to upset her,ā he said quietly. āShe called me. She said she wanted to see Andrea.ā āAnd you agreed?ā I shot back. āJust like that?ā āI agreed because I needed to see her too,ā Andrew replied, lowering his voice. āThereās something I found outā¦something I need to confirm.ā I stared at him, my jaw tightening. āWhat are you talking about?ā Andrew didnāt answer immediately. He looked toward the living room, toward Andrea, and his expression shifted into something serious. Something heavy. āI canāt say it yet,ā he said finally. āNot before Iām sure.ā āThatās bul
ANDREA About twenty minutes later, I heard the sound of a car pulling up outside the villa. Lexi was already halfway to the door before I could even sit up properly. She always tried to handle visitors before they reached the living room, mostly so I wouldnāt feel pressured. But the second she opened the door, she let out a sharp gasp. Then she scoffed, her tone shifting so fast it made my stomach tighten. āWhat are you doing here?ā she asked, almost snapping the words. I froze. Lexi never spoke like that with us. Not to family. Not to guests. Not to anyone unless something was seriously wrong. My heart jumped into my throat. I pushed myself off the couch, ignoring the slight sting in my ribs, and walked toward the hallway. When I reached the entrance, I stopped. Andrew stood there. My father stood next to him. My stepmother hovered right behind them. And between themā¦looking stiff, awkward, and completely out of place wasā¦Lia. My heart clenched before I could stop it. She
ANDREA A few weeks passed before I was finally strong enough to stay at home without a nurse checking on me every day. My bruises had faded and most of the swelling around my ribs was gone. I could walk around the house without feeling like my legs were going to give out. I should have felt normal again, but normal was hard to find with the way everyone hovered over me. It started from the moment I woke up. If I coughed even once, Alex pushed open my bedroom door like he had been standing outside waiting. He always asked if I needed water or if I felt dizzy. Sometimes he did not even ask. He just brought things and set them by my bed. I appreciated it, but after the tenth time in a day, it felt like I could not breathe without someone watching. Kate visited almost every afternoon. She would sit on the couch beside me and pretend she was only there to keep me company, but her eyes kept drifting to my movements. If I shifted or winced a little, she straightened like she was rea
ANDREA Alex took a shaky breath and gently let go of my hand. āI should call the doctor,ā he murmured, trying to steady himself. āAnd I need to tell everyone youāre awake. Theyāve all been waiting.āHe stood up like his legs were barely holding him. For a second, he just looked at me again, as if making sure I was really there and not another nightmare heād wake from. Then he hurried out of the room.The moment the door opened, I heard voices outside...low, tired, anxious murmurs and then everything exploded into noise.The door swung wide, and everyone rushed in at once. Their faces were pale, eyes swollen, clothes wrinkled like nobody had slept or even gone home in days.My step mother reached me first. Her hands trembled as she touched my arm. āOh God⦠Andreaā¦my child, my sweet childā¦ā Her voice cracked and she started crying again, trying to hide it behind her hand.My dad stood behind her, looking like he had aged ten years. His usually stern but warm face was broken with relief
ANDREA Opening my eyes felt like lifting a mountain. Everything was blurry at first, bright lights shaping into white ceilings and pale walls. It took me a moment to understand where I wasā¦a hospital room. I frowned weakly. The last thing I remembered was collapsing by the side of the road. I didnāt remember anyone finding me. I didnāt even remember being brought here. My head throbbed as I slowly turned it to the side. That was when I noticed someone sitting on the chair next to the bed, their head resting on their folded arms. Sleeping, or maybe passed out from exhaustion. I blinked a few times, trying to focus. Messy hair. Shoulders slumped. A rough, unshaven beard covering a face I knew too well. Dark eye bags, like he hadnāt slept in days. Alex. A small breath escaped me, shaky and confused. He looked nothing like the sharp and put together man I knew. He looked worn out, almost broken, like he had been fighting the world and loosing. He was right there beside meā¦like he







