A few days ago... "You got it? I want you to watch them in every possible way," Emeraude says on the phone. "And to get your reward... You have to follow all my orders and make my plan come true, okay?" She briefly bites her lower lip. "Joshua Scott will be mine! And he will regret the day he chose someone else over me..." "You are unbelievable," Madelyn spits out the words as she enters her mother's house, overhearing Emeraude's conversation on the phone. "The fake sister has arrived. I need to hang up. Don't forget our deal," Emeraude ends the call. "Oh. Hi, Madelyn. Back so soon?" She gives a bitter smile. "Why didn't you think about jumping from the top floor of the hotel where Jack is staying, huh? That way, you would spare me from seeing your face... Rejected bitch." "I don't know what impresses me more. Your great talent for sarcasm or... The fact that you don't have an ounce of conscience about what you cause to other people," Madelyn sighs. "Don't you ever get tired of ac

Joshua wouldn't leave my mind. Was I doing the right thing? I zip up my suitcase. Agatha and Alex were also packing their bags. I hear the doorbell ring. I walk to the door and open it. Gregory and Nathan stare at me incredulously. "Can I know what's the story of miss leaving?" Gregory furrows his brows and walks past me into my apartment. "And had the courage to tell me by message?" He raises his phone, showing the screen with my message. "I thought I wouldn't have time to tell you in person." "Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Gregory seems even more incredulous. I moisten my lips and feel my throat burn. "Susanna, Joshua's sister, told me to come back to Brazil." I explain. "And just because she told you to come back, you will?" He raises his eyebrows, stupefied. "It's my fault Joshua got shot. And the least I can do is let him live his own life. I just want the best for him." "Alice! You're underestimating yourself! What makes you think you're not the best for him?"

I lean my head against the external wall of the hospital that connected to the parking lot. I gaze at the sun for a few moments, then close my eyes and take a deep breath. I couldn't digest my mother's new behavior at all. She seemed like a completely different person. It was impossible not to feel frustrated with the situation."Have you been waiting long?" Benjamin's voice sounded in my ears. "I was stuck with my father who was spewing beautiful words about integrity. But I don't think he even knows what it means," he said ironically.Benjamin had made giving me rides to the hospital almost a daily routine. He didn't mind accompanying me on all the morning visits I made to my mother. In fact, he seemed to love doing it, even though I told him not to waste his time with me."Is everything okay?" he asked, seeing that I hadn't responded to his arrival."To be honest?" I sigh. "I don't know." I open my eyes and look lost in the parking lot."What happened?" he approached, leaning again

I approach slowly, staring in awe at the robust man in the middle of the doorway.“Father?”Looking past my aunt, Ian opens a huge smile upon seeing me.“Alice!”Completely ignoring Aunt Ana, my father enters our house, walking towards me and giving me a strong hug.“I was so worried. You left without saying anything!”“Uh...” I try to answer, but his strong embrace makes it a bit difficult.“Are you okay?” he puts his hands on my cheeks, making me look him in the eyes.“Yes, dad. I...”“Am I a joke to you?” he interrupts me, furrowing his brows.And suddenly, that joyful father for having found his daughter, turned into an indignant one. Confused by his quick mood change, I am at a loss for words to respond.“Why didn't you let me know you were coming back to Brazil?” he arches his eyebrows and crosses his arms.He was one of the people indignant about me not being able to say goodbye.“Mom was very sick. And... I couldn't let you know I was leaving.” I try to explain.My father shak

Benjamin's room was amazing, if I doubted, it would take three of mine. The blue color with white details around allowed the environment to become very harmonious. I sit on his bed."Sorry for what happened," Benjamin's voice sounds low and then he sits next to me. "My father drives me crazy.""It's okay. What would a 'family' dinner be without friction?" I try to make the moment more relaxed.Benjamin lets out a short nasal laugh."Thank you." He looks at me. I stare into his fascinating and friendly blue eyes. "Really. If it weren't for you... I think I would have been kicked out of the house today." He opens a small weak smile.Benjamin and I had spent a good time holding hands. He always made me feel better, so this time, I tried to reciprocate, even though it was a simple gesture.I look away from him."I still can't believe we're going to be siblings." I chuckle and rest my hands on the bed."Yeah... What bad luck." He says in an ambiguous tone, but then lets out a small laugh.