LOGINAliyah's POVI didn't want to agree to that, not when I still had to think about us. Asher's voice rose again. “I want to be responsible for her.” I replied quickly. “I said I'd think about it. You'll be able to spend time with her then” My voice shook slightly as I said that. He didn't give it up, instead he pleaded. “Just a day out with her, Aliyah” I wanted to reply, tell him he couldn't but a little voice rose before mine could. Elara. She pulled my dress, making me look down at her. “Mommy, I want to hang out with him.” I held her hand and cautioned. “No darling, you don't just go out with strangers” Her gaze darted between Asher and I. “He's not a stranger. He's my daddy, isn't he?” My eyes widened in shock at her words. I thought she hadn't known anything about this, but I was wrong. She was listening, trying to understand the little she could from all we had said. Asher crouched down in front of her with a smile, his hand caressing her face. “You are very smart, Elar
Aliyah's POV“I don't think she wants to talk to you” Henry stood in front of me protectively, his darkened gaze on Asher. Asher’s gaze was calm but stern “That's for her to decide, not you”I watched the scene unfold. Henry knew about us. He believes I no longer want to have anything to do with Asher. He thinks meeting him here is his fault. But he doesn't know how conflicted I feel at the moment. I wanted to talk to Asher, something in me kept wanting to hear his voice, even if I had to keep lying about Elara. Henry's voice cut through the silence, dark and hoarse. “I know she doesn't want to. You should be a gentle, responsible man and leave her the heck alone” His words sounded like a warning that was supposed to shoot Asher away, but Asher didn't bulge, nor did his gaze move from Henry for a second. I placed a hand on Henry, and he spun around. With his gaze fixed on me, I whispered. “It's fine. I'll talk to him” Henry's jaws tightened. I could tell he doesn't want me to,
Aliyah's POVCohen chuckled before he called out to me. “Aliyah?” He stopped in front of me, looking at me, amused. I said nothing as I watched him, my eyes stern enough to burn. He said. “It really is my twin sister”His words made bile rise in my throat. Anger coursed through me immediately at the thought of being born from the same womb with this guy. It angers me so much I'm hating that woman for even giving birth to me. I gritted, staring at him with a darkened gaze. “Don't you dare say that again. Only in your dreams will I ever be your twin” Cohen laughed. “Nothing can change that, Aliyah.” “What do you want? Why are you bugging me?” I asked, ignoring his words. “You've been lost for five years” He took his gaze away and laughed for a few seconds. He pinched his nose and looked up at me again. “I tried to bring you back by giving you pains, but you endured everything” I knew, but the realization hits more now that he's saying it himself. Cohen had been the one making
Aliyah's POVEveryone patiently waited for this day, and finally, it was here. The day of the tournament. Their bikes were all parked, prepared to race. The track was filled with people, most of them dressed in their biking outfits. The team unpacked, each of them standing by their bikes as they scrutinize the field. “Y'all think you can make it?” I asked with a smirk, taking slow steps as I surrounded them, holding Elara's hand. Their uniforms were blue, layers of white and red slightly visible.“Of course, we should” One of them spoke, and his words carried the thoughts and beliefs of the others. “Yes. And it's fine if we don't” I smiled. Not like I don't believe them, but humans should always prepare for disappointments. Other bikers kept arriving and I knew even though the tournament was taking place in the smallest city of New York, it was still going to be one of the biggest and the best. Soon, the whole place was filled with spectators, and racers but more still kept a
Aliyah's POVBack at the house where Henry had gotten the team to stay, I sat on the small staircase leading inside. My phone was lifted to my ear, my hands getting run through my hair. Everything in my head was shitting with me right now. After meeting with Papa and Asher, I hadn't been able to think well. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I saw them again. And at the moment, I could only talk to the one person I knew would listen, as she had never gotten tired of listening. Tracy. I was on a call with her, my tone showing how frustrated I feel. “I honestly wasn't expecting that” Tracy was shocked to hear about the whole thing. This is New York, yes. But this is Mechanicsville. The smallest city in the whole of New York. I wasn't expecting to run into Asher, wasn't expecting that I'd see papa again, and not in that way. What the fuck do we call this type of coincidence? “I thought the place was a small place? How the hell did you cross paths with them?” Tracy ask
Aliyah’s POVPapa came rushing in, forcing me to turn my gaze to him. The panicked look on his face made tears fill my eyes immediately. It has been long…. So long since I've seen his face, and now that he was standing in front of me, I wanted to give him a hug, but I couldn't. I feel too guilty to even call his name. Asher must have called him here, he must have phoned him while I was away to pay the bills. Papa stared at me for moments that felt like eternity. His legs moved, dragging slowly on the ground. “Aliyah….” He muttered, voice low and shaky. Everything in me wanted to move to him and wrap my hands around him. I wanted to feel safe in his embrace like I've always done, but my legs only dragged me to take a step backwards. “Papa, I…” I trailed off. What was I going to say? Apologize? Or tell him I don't want to see him?I didn't know what I'd say, but I knew the words got caught in my throat. Before Papa could speak again, the door opened gently, and two policemen wa







