bChapter /b98

    AUTHOR’S POV.

    “Hey, Doll.” He picked up after the first ring, his voice warm.

    Her heart clenched painfully.

    “Can you ask Jordan to retire for the day, please?” She asked, cutting straight to the point.

    Lucian frowned on the other end. “Why is that?”

    “bI /bwant to sleep over at Talia’s tonight.” She told him.

    “Is something wrong? Are you okay?” Lucian asked, as his voice rose in concern.

    “I’m fine. Talia is going through some stuff, and I have to be there for her.” Alina lied.

    “Okay, Doll,” he said after a pause. “Let me know if you need anything.”

    “I will.” She replied, her voice shaking slightly as she fought the urge to just break down and cry.

    55 vouchers

    The guilt she was already feeling was threatening to suffocate her, it pressed down on her chest like a stone. Lucian sounded so sweet, so loving.

    And yet… her parents, albeit adoptive parents, but they were the people who raised her and they were involved in whatever dark scheme that had torn his entire family apart. And she didn’t know how to tell him. She couldn’t go home and face him, not with what she had just discovered.

    Would he hate her?

    “Could you give the phone to Jordan? Let me speak to him.” Lucian said.

    “Sure.” Alina managed to kept her voice steady and handed the phone to Jordan.

    “Boss.” Jordan said.

    “Something’s up with her, and I don’t know what. Until I figure it out, don’t let her out of your sight,” Lucian instructed.

    “Sure thing, boss.” Jordan replied, voice firm.

    “Keep an ieye /ion the building in case they step out. But for now, drive around the block. Make her think you’ve left. And change the car to another model while you are at it,don’t let her suspect anything.” Hisst statement was more of a warning.

    “Will do, boss.” Jordan nodded.

    “Give the phone back to her.” He said.

    55 vouchers

    17:52 Thu, bSep /b18

    :

    Jordan handed the phone to Alina and slid into the car, driving off without another word to Alina.

    “Be safe, baby. Don’t forget to call me if you need anything.” Lucian said gently.

    “Okay.” Alina croaked before ending the call and walking toward the building.

    —

    “Alina?” Talia called confused as she opened the door, to see her best friend standing there.

    She hadn’t been expecting her. Sure, she had called earlier about Jacobi and asked Alina to get back to her, but she hadn’t expected her to show up.

    It was a surprise. A pleasant one, but a surprise, nheless.

    But as she stared into her best friend’s face, Talia could tell, something was very, very wrong.

    “Are you okay, baby?” She asked gently.

    And that was all it took for the floodgates to open.

    Alina threw herself into her friend’s arms and broke down, sobbing.

    “H…. he is go…going to ha….hate me.” She said between gasps.

    “Who is going to hate you?” Talia asked, confused, gently rubbing her back infort.

    “Lu…Lucian.” Alina cried harder.

    Talia didn’t understand what was going on, but she knew Alina was in no state to talk. At least not yet.

    “Alright, let’s go inside.” She said, guiding her into the apartment and closing the door behind them.

    They both sat on the couch, and Talia didn’t say a word. She just held her while she cried her soul out.

    She had never seen Alina like this. Not in all the years she has known her. And she had known her since they were kids.

    She couldn’t help but wonder what could have happened to put Alina in such a state.

    It must be something big.

    Talia’s heart ached watching her friend like this. And although she wanted answers so she can help fix whatever it was that was bothering Alina, she had to be patient. That’s how deeply she loved Alina.

    It was no surprise she had died trying to protect her in the past life.

    After what felt like forever, Alina’s sobs finally reduced to soft sniffles and eventually stopped altogether.

    She gently pulled away from Talia’s chest leaving a wet patch, eyes still downcast.

    17:52 bThu/b, Sep 18 N

    …

    :

    b53 /b

    55 vouchers

    Talia reached for the tissue box and handed her a few.

    Alina wiped her face silently until she looked somewhat presentable.

    “You good now?” Talia asked softly.

    “No.” She whispered honestly, sniffing.

    “Do you want to cry some more?” Talia asked again.

    “No.” She shook her head again.

    There was no embarrassment between the two women. They were each other’s safe ce.

    “Let me get you some water. You must be parched after all that crying.” Talia said. She didn’t wait for an answer before standing up and heading to the kitchen.

    Alina took a deep breath preparing herself. She knew the moment Talia came back, she would have to spill everything.

    Talia was the only person that could help her figure things out, she was a rational thinker and Alina was grateful for having her. What would she do without her?

    Talia returned with a cold ss of water and handed it over.

    “Thank you.” Alina said, gulping it down in one go. The cold water helped to calm her nerves a little.

    She ced the empty ss gently on the table, then turned to Talia on the couch.

    Still, she said nothing.

    “Do you want to tell me what is wrong now, or do you want to take a nap first?” Talia asked gently.

    “I don’t want to nap,” Alina said, shaking her head. “I want to talk.”

    “Okay.” Talia said quietly, waiting for her to proceed.

    Alina drew in another deep breath.

    “I went over to my parents‘ today to drop off some documents… and I overheard them talking about my adoption.”

    “Okay…” Talia said, a little confused. “But you already know you were adopted, baby. Is that what got you this upset?”

    “No.” Alina shook her head. “It’s what they said after. I wasn’t adopted from an orphanage like I was originally

    made to believe.”

    Talia blinked, her confusion deepening. “What are you talking about?b” /b

    “I was stolen, Talia. I was stolen from my birth parents.” Alina dropped the bombshell.

    …

    Talia’s mouth fell open, eyes widen in pure shock.

    “Say what now?!”