Zack's POVMy fingers tightened over the ticket in my hand, my eyes tracing the time written in big bold numbers, my brain calculating how much time I have left, wondering if there is one place I can stop by before leaving for good.My gaze flickered from the piece of paper to my uncle, "Your mother also agreed to this," He said, the muscle of his jaw worked as his eyes drifted away, as if he couldn't stand to be here now, looking at me, talking to me."Your bad grades, the drugs, and everything that happened was enough for the school to kick you out," He clarified, and I understood, our Ivy league school won't accept someone like me trashing its reputation, "You'll stay with your aunt in Texas, your papers are already transferred to a school there," He added, totally unbothered, "I am not sure if you will be able to graduate this year, and you already know that you lost the football scholarship for university, so whatever you're gonna do, it's all up to you from now on."The way he t
Two months later...Lilly's POVHappy.I've been happy. So very happy, that it feels surreal at times.It makes me wonder how can one person only make me feel so much at once.The sweetness, the gentleness, the excitement, and the thrill...it's all very overwhelming.I don't want it to end. Can it never end?I took Sally's advice and lived each day, one at a time, not ruining it with thoughts of what will happen tomorrow. At the moment, I really don't care about tomorrow, as long as today, he's by my side and I am by his.Chase has gotten better, much better lately. The doctor says it's a matter of days before he can be discharged for good. They're only keeping him in now to make sure his condition is stabilized.The side effects stopped almost a couple of weeks ago. Still, he went through a lot of pain and it ruined me seeing him face it all. I thought I am not strong enough to stick by him through all the bad, but I did.I kept my promise and stayed. It wasn't even physically possib
Lilly's POVConner washed up, and Sally angrily slumped over the couch, inspecting her lip.The lyrics of the song dad had in the car kept running up my mind, and I involuntarily found myself mumbling them lowly, "Ocean blue eyes looking in mine, I feel like I might sink and drown and-"Chase's weirded-out look had me shutting up. I sighed and shook my head, "It's all dad's fault." A small smile crept up my lips as I looked into his eyes, "Actually, it could be our song, feels fitting."He smiled back and pulled me to his side, he pressed a gentle kiss to the side of my head and I sighed in relief. Aylin can't destroy this, she can't.When Conner came back, he shot Sally a hard glare to which she returned, still holding her broken lip. When he looked back at us, he rolled his eyes, "Can you two not be lovey-dovey all the time?"I pretended to think about it then shook my head, "I don't think we can," I said and pressed a small kiss over Chase's cheek.Conner mumbled something, probabl
Lilly's POV"I told you guys, you didn't have to come here today," Chase told his parents, who dropped by unexpectedly, way to ruin my alone time with Chase, "Conner is staying tonight."Auntie Katherine nodded and sadly mumbled, "I know, but I've missed you," Her eyebrows pulled closer, "Also, I think there is something wrong with your dad."Uncle Ashton looked at her, confused at how she talked about him when he's right there by her side.She gave him a side glance and looked back at Chase, "Yesterday, he made me dinner for example, can you believe that? And in the morning, he made me breakfast again," She said, pretending to whisper to Chase, "I mean he hadn't done that in forever, I think he's not okay."I chuckled at how serious her tone is, she turned to Ashton and her eyes suspiciously narrowed at him, "What are you planning?" She asked, "What do you want from me?"He couldn't help but smile at her expression, with his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her closer, "Well, I jus
Lilly's POVThe feeling pressing up against my heart is cold, so cold. Like concrete drying in my chest.It wraps me in. It invades the part of me that was scared all along.It's unexpected - top of the world one minute and cut down the next.I still feel myself in a haze, drinking in the feedback of the news, my mind in a swirling loop between the past, the present, and what's about to change in the very near future.His parents left after, because today was supposed to be ours. I wanted it to be ours, to make him happy, to celebrate his birthday, and show him that he could still have everything he once had before the drug.Now I realized, he didn't need my little surprises.They weigh nothing in front of this. He is going to have what he wants the most so soon.He is happy. That's the important thing.I kicked everything away and took his hand in mine, dragging him with me and out of the room, determined to keep this day going as planned. Whatever the problem is, it can be dealt wit
MondayChase's POVI gathered my books and notebooks into one box, fitting them all in, and placed them beside my already packed bag before I stood straight and took a quick glance around me, at the room that kept me captive for the past two and a half months.It was supposed to feel like a prison. But it didn't.The people in my life didn't let it be.Inside these four walls, Conner helped me with my lessons every day, making sure I graduate on time. Between these walls, my mother brought me food and insisted I eat it all before she went on telling me about her day. My father stayed right here by my side, discussing my future as a pilot even though nothing was sure yet, with countless nights sleeping on that very uncomfortable couch, even though I begged him not to. He never left me alone.In this room, there was Alex, Cara, Max, and Sally, they all stood by my side. They all visited, they all cared, they all tried to bring a smile to my face. They were all part of the hope that kept
Lilly's POVMy gaze flickered from the road to dad beside me. Conner's words ringing in my ears non-stop.You don't have time.He's been in love with you since I met him.You love him too.My eyes went to the backseat to see Max's airpods plugged into his ears, his eyes on his phone, totally oblivious to us."Dad," I started, breaking the silence and needing to say something, needing to talk or I will explode with theheavinessof my thoughts.
Lilly's POVHe walked me down the stairs and into our backyard. He stopped right by the loungers positioned by the pool. My gaze went from them and to him, I smiled, I had to smile, "I kissed you right here, that very first time."He nodded, "You took me way off guard that day, I gotta admit that," He said, his eyes lingered over the spot where it all started and I still could read nothing of his expression, "I always learned to expect the unexpected from you," He looked back at me, "You're relentless, you're wild at times," He smiled, finally giving me his beautiful smile, "And you're so very dangerous, Lilly."His eyes caressed my face and he added, "You have the courage to lose yourself in the things you truly want and I really love that about you," He added and my heartbeat accelerated."I am the total opposite of you," I said, yet somehow, I feel like we're one and the same. I am the rush in his calmness, and he's the calm in my storm. The perfect puzzle.He nodded, "That's so tr
Next day...I promised myself that yesterday was the last day I will ever shed a tear. Last day to be weak and vulnerable. Exposed and bare.Last day to let it all out.But as I laid down now, after the operation, waiting for my recovery, with my cheek pressed up against the pillow, my eyes looking through the window, at the blue sky, at the free birds, and at what's alive.I couldn't hold back the one lone tear the silently escaped my eye.That's all. One single tear.I felt a tender hand reach for mine, I turned around, my eyes falling on the nurse, who smiled at me so warmly, "You can leave now, if you want."I nodded, and pulled myself up."Do you feel any pain?" She asked, concerned.I do. But, it's all on the inside.She helped me get up, she even helped me change the gown and wear my clothes. She took pity on me the moment I said I came alone. No one waiting me outside that door, just me, facing and correcting my mistakes on my own.And I took her help, seeking comfort from a s
There is something seriously wrong with my health. So very wrong. Especially in the last two days. It's no longer just signs of being pregnant. I have a feeling it's more.The cramps tightening my stomach can't be normal. They're so painful, ever so slowly ripping at my insides. I couldn't sleep all night, not just worried about Max, like every day, but this immense pain couldn't let me close my eyes for even a mere second.This morning, I found a few blood droplets, and the sight of them had my panic rising to a whole new level. I was so scared, terrified even of what I read when I searched the internet for the signs, so the first thing I did when I got to the hospital was take a blood test and book an appointment with a gynecologist, just right before dad talked to me and got to know almost everything about Christian.Almost everything...He doesn't know about this child that's probably inside of me. I can only imagine his reaction. If he wanted to kill Christian with such a passion
Lilly's POV"What do you mean you didn't find him?"The words and the furiousness that followed them had me snapping my head toward dad's direction as he talked through the phone. My heart seized and panic rushed through my chest as I understood who he must be talking about."Roman, don't make me lose my mind now," He snapped and got to his feet, he rushed a hand over his face, "I don't care...I told you...Roman, I am so gonna kill you," He threatened frustrated as he listened to whatever uncle Roman must've said. He cursed something under his breath, "He is just a fucking professor, where would he hide, huh?"Oh my god...what did I do again?He listened to whatever Roman was saying and his gaze drifted and fell on me, his gaze cautious and calculating, and I couldn't miss the flicker of blame in them, like he knows it's all my fault. I did this again. I gave him the chance to escape; I could swear dad felt it.He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, and his gaze flickered away fr
Alex's POV"Roman, you need to catch him fast," I said with a loud sigh, placing the phone over the table, hating Roman for arguing with me over every damn thing."Alex, the moment Max got hurt, I checked, Christian was here, so it's not him, that's for sure," He said through the speaker, pulling on me the good guy act, "So, do you really want me to risk hurting someone innocent, that doesn't seem like you."Nikolas walked into the room, his eyes flickered from me to the phone, where Roman's voice is coming from."For god's sake, just get Christian," I ordered with an annoyed sigh, "I am willing to take the risk with him, he is anything but innocent," Even if he isn't the one behind this. He had hurt Lilly, one way or another, I saw it in her eyes when I decided to trigger her, I am more sure of it now.Maybe he didn't hurt Max, but he has a relationship with everything unfolding. I should've trusted my instincts when I met him. Something about him was just off."Who's Christian again
Nikolas's POVMy chest tightened with every word the doctor muttered, about the surgery, and about the risks it still imposes on Max and his health. His words drove me insane, multiplying all the worry and the fear I have been feeling since Alex called me and told me Max was hurt.I came here as fast as I could. I waited behind the scenes for his health to get better, but it was only deteriorating over the past few days. Then, the doctor suggested the kidney transplant and here we are. Even with this solution, the procedure is still risky and there are some possible side negative effects we have to prepared for.The doctor left the decision to us, then he walked away, leaving us in the waiting room alone to discuss it."What do you think?" Alex asked, his eyes drifting between Cara and up to me as I came to a stop beside them.I shook my head, "I don't know, from my part in this, I would do anything," Fuck, I will give him both of my kidneys if I have to, "But, it's not my decision to
Lilly's POVI thought that was it.No more lies. No more secrets. No more surprises.No more heartbreak.I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I connected the dots of my parent's complicated past, but no.No.This man, he is...he is not him. He can't be. It's not possible. I saw dad aim a gun and fire.I saw dad kill him.But, he is here.How?He is the same man I saw on the phone that made me discover his existence all those years ago. The existence my father didn't plan on ever telling us about.Those eyes, if I focus on them only, it's like I am looking at Max...at my little brother, the one who is fighting for his life inside. The one in danger. The one who can be finally saved, by...this exact man.His biological father.My uncle.The man who ruined everything.The man who hurt my mom.Oh my god..."We still have just a couple of more tests to run and then we can prep him for the surgery," The nurse carried on, explaining the whole transplant procedure, but I wasn't liste
Three days later...Alex's POVNerve-racking. This wait has been the worst wait of my whole life. My nerves breaking down with every passing second and minute.Cara's state hasn't been any better. I've spent the past three days trying to get her to eat and rest but she was beyond thinking logically. I couldn't blame her. They have been keeping Max in intensive care, trying to stabilize his state and they wouldn't even let us see him, which only worsened the situation.I wanted to let the anger consume me like it once did, get out of here and search for whoever did this, but I wasn't going to repeat mistakes I made years ago. I stayed here, by my wife's side, and waited for my son to get better and I let that job...for those who can handle it better.I am going to find who did this and death wouldn't be a sentence I will give them. No, nothing I ever did before will measure up to what I will do for who dared lay a hand on my son and threaten his life and health this way.Ashton, Kathe
Alex's POV"Where are you going?" Cara asked when she saw me putting my jacket on."I don't know," I said, shaking my head, "I have to find him, I will search everywhere, I will go to the campus, I'll call his friends, anything, I need to find him."Something doesn't feel right. I have to see him, make sure he is okay, get him back home, and talk to him about everything else.She nodded, agreeing, "Okay, tell me if you find him, please." She said and my eyes fell on hers, on the redness under them, on the devastation that I haven't seen in so long.I inched closer, my hand rested over her cheek, "I will, cupcakes," I said, leaning closer, I left a kiss over her forehead.I grabbed my keys, my phone and hopped into the car. I started the engine and took off on the road. I had called him a million times since he left, but he didn't answer. As I wandered the streets, I called each and every friend he has, but none of them had seen him nor heard from him.Worry pressed harder and tighter
Max's POV Everything changed.Every fucking thing. Cold slipped through my veins, the words I heard slammed me. One by one, they struck me, battered and beat my mind, like an everlasting penalty, to pay for a crime I didn't commit.I rode down the streets, searching. For what, I didn't know.My fingers tightened over the steering wheel. A shuddered breath burned as I drew it in, my lungs pressing against my ribs, and I replayed everything in my mind, from the very start. From my first memory, up till this day.I know my parents loved me, they never had me doubting otherwise. They didn't need to reassure me, but the thing is, my confidence is slowly being destroyed, my beliefs, in myself, and in those around me are rapidly fluttering due to this.I remember reading a psychology book that said deviant behavior was genetic, and now I worry whether that evil is embedded in my genes. Whether people could tell, somehow, that I'd been created from violence...that maybe one day, I'd be just