CHAPTER SIX

Not everything our loved ones tell us is true. Sometimes they have shitty secrets from the past and try by all means to keep that secret but sooner or later it will be exposed. 

VERONA'S POV (ELIZABETH'S MOM)

FLASH BACK

I left Elizabeth eating her breakfast when I arrived at my room. I closed the door behind me.

My phone rang and stared at the caller ID anxiously. I took a deep breath and answered the phone call.

"I've been trying your number all day" the other person on the other end scolded.

And I sighed deeply.

" Anyway forget maybe you don't care about Leah."

I shook my head negatively.

" I care about my daughter, how is she doing?" I asked curiously.

"I know it's been years and she belongs to another family. She'll never acknowledge me as her mother. But I want to watch her grow up even if I'm behind the shadows."

" She probably hates me" I sobbed miserably.

" Look Verona, I can't promise you anything about forming a relationship with her but I'll always let you know how she's doing and invite her to her birthdays."

I nodded quietly.

" Thank you Jane."

" Sure thing."

The call got disconnected and I sobbed miserably.

Someone had tipped me off that my daughter never died that night, surprisingly a nurse had watched everything happen and after ten years she finally had the courage to reveal that secret.

A rich family had adopted my daughter and they named her Azalea. Unfortunately they lived in Paris so I couldn't meet her physically but Jane always sent me her pictures.

After she had learnt how corrupt the hospital was she applied for a job as nanny at the same house.

Jane became Azalea's nanny ever since she told my everything we've been communicating.

My first instincts were to go claim my daughter but I couldn't. I was just a stranger to her and I always felt guilty because I almost killed myself with my alcohol addiction.

I missed my daughter.

Years later Jane stopped working there because Azalea had grown up and she was getting married.

Of course I went to the wedding and made up some excuse to Elizabeth. That day I witnessed everything with my own eyes.

I was so happy for her but yet I couldn't express the love I felt towards my daughter.

I had gotten my chance to hug her and congratulate her. She never recognized me and I couldn't blame her.

Later Jane called me with bad news Azalea had died while giving birth and she had left a baby girl behind.

That night her husband had also gotten involved in a road accident.

I was heartbroken and often locked myself in my room. I couldn't let Elizabeth see me.

She had lost her sister.

I was left with Elizabeth and I vowed to protect her but the secret I was hiding kept torturing me with so much guilt.

I was lying to Elizabeth every day of her life. I always died a little when she would often say; mom, I wish I had a sister.

Guilt.

JADE'S POV (HAYDEN'S MOM)

Marcus and I exchanged glances as we both stared at Hayden who was very quiet; he was lost in thoughts.

"Go talk to him dear" Marcus urged and I nodded quietly and sat beside him.

"Son" I said softly and placed my hand on Hayden's shoulder and he blinked, snapping out of his thoughts.

"Mom , I didn't notice you," he said quietly and I nodded.

"It's alright what were you thinking about?" I asked curiously and he sighed deeply.

" You can tell me anything, feel free" I muttered coolly assuring him and he nodded.

"I know mom." 

Silence.

"I don't know why mom but I haven't seen her full face yet but the girl next door has Azalea's traits. It's driving me insane. They literally have the same gorgeous brown eyes. I know it's been five years now since Azalea left this world I'm failing to connect the dots."

What I feared the most was happening Hayden hadn't moved on yet.

"Azalea is gone and you should just admit that to yourself. You're only seeing Azalea in the girl next door because you haven't accepted that she's dead. Don't be delusional Hayden you know she's gone for good this time" I said softly Hayden nods quietly.

"I'll make you a cup of coffee."

Things weren't easy for Hayden especially ever since Azalea left this world.

But he had to be strong for Theodora.

I only lasted this long in the vampire world because Marcus had turned on me at the last moment he claimed me as his wife. The council couldn't do anything because Marcus was born into a very powerful and influential family.

I was human and Marcus was half human half vampire when we met so both of my kids were special but Hayden was just something else.

But when Hayden also fell in love with a human the council couldn't take it. They banished Hayden.

The painful memory made my body cringe.

A lot of blood was shed that fateful night but I think we made the right decision in the end because Hayden needed his family more than anything.

HAYDEN'S POV

When mom left I got up and looked outside the window staring at her window.

She wasn't there but I could feel her breathing.

I closed my eyes and focused all my energy on the window.

I could see her on the bed reading a book but her face was unclear. The vision got blurry and I blocked the connection.

"Azalea..." 

My powers were still weak.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder when I turned around I frowned when I saw Sage grinning.

My frown deepens.

"Oh I see my big brother is now stalking the girl next door" she teases.

I rolled my eyes at her.

" Don't overreact Sage. I just enjoy looking at their garden. They have nice flowers," I said quietly and walked past her.

SAGE'S POV

I cocked a brow when Hayden left and looked at the window. I gasped and escaped my lips.

"It's just a plain lawn that means Hayden was lying. I knew it. So it means that there's a possibility that he might like the girl next door."

HAYDEN'S POV

The morning I started college again, maybe it would help me clear my head a bit.I already completed college a long time ago but I just needed something to help me lay low for a while.

I packed the necessary books and stuff and wore a leather jacket and black denim jeans. A few minutes later I got 

 my motorcycle and drove to the institution.

Playing my favourite lyrics.

I can't breathe (Chopsquad), I can't breathe, 999

Waiting for the exhale

I toss my pain with my wishes in a wishing well

I can't breathe, I'm waiting for the exhale

Toss my pain with my wishes in a wishing well

Still no luck, but oh, well

I still try even though I know I'm gon' fail

Stress on my shoulders like a anvil

Perky got me itching like a anthill

Drugs killing me softly, Lauryn Hill

Sometimes I don't know how to feel

Ring-ring, phone call from depression

You used my past and my memories as a weapon

On the other line, I talk to addiction, huh

Speaking of the devil, all the drugs, I miss them

This can't be real, is it fiction?

Something' feels broke, need to fix it

I cry out for help, do they listen?

I'ma be alone until it's finished

This is the part where I tell you I'm fine, but I'm lyin'

I just don't want you to worry

This is the part where I take all my feelings and hide 'em

'Cause I don't want nobody to hurt me

I can't breathe, I'm waiting for the exhale

Toss my pain with my wishes in a wishing well

Still no luck, but oh, well

I still try even though I know I'm gon' fail

It's stress on my shoulders like a anvil

Perky got me itching like a anthill

Drugs killing me softly, Lauryn Hill

Sometimes I don't know how to feel

Sometimes I don't know how to feel

Let's be for real

If it wasn't for the pills, I wouldn't be here

But if I keep taking these pills, I won't be here, yeah

I just told y'all my secret, yeah

It's tearing me to pieces

I really think I need them

I stopped taking the drugs and now the drugs take me

This is the part where I tell you I'm fine, but I'm lyin'

I just don't want you to worry

This is the part where I take all my feelings and hide 'em

'Cause I don't want nobody to hurt me

I can't breathe, I'm waiting for the exhale

Toss my pain with my wishes in a wishing well

Still no luck, but oh, well

I still try even though I know I'm gon' fail

It's stress on my shoulders like a anvil

Perky got me itching like a anthill

Drugs killing me softly, Lauryn Hill

Sometimes I don't know how to feel

Twenty minutes later I arrived and parked my motorcycle. All eyes were on me especially from the girls their boyfriends kept giving me nasty looks.

Besides, I wasn't even interested in their so-called girlfriends.

While walking I bumped into someone and hot coffee spilled on his white t-shirt. The girl's books got knocked out of her hands, everything fell and she bent over picking her soaked books and homework.

"Are you blind or something?" I demanded. The girl got up and faced me and when I saw her I lost it.

"You literally bumped into me instead of apologizing you're here yelling at me. You snobbish brats are just arrogant and mannerless just like your parents."

" Thanks to you all my assignments are soaked in fucking coffee!"

She snapped her fingers in my face and I blinked.

" Azalea…" 

The girl frowned.

"I don't have time to deal with an idiot like you so get lost."

She walked past me and I grabbed a smoothie from a random girl and followed her.

"Hey! The girl whines but I didn't care.

I poured the smoothie on the girls head and she gasped.

She turned around and faced.

"Soaked assignments and smoothie drips suit you and you talk way too much motor mouth" I taunted.

This girl wasn't Azalea in fact she was nothing like her.

Her face turned red and she slapped me across the face hard, everyone gasped in shock.

Silence.

Shit.