Nikolai nodded, trying hard to keep his anger under control. He carefully tied the bandage around Alva’s ankle, his hands steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. Once done, he left the room to wash his hands. When he returned, he sat closer to Alva on the bed. Gently stroking her hair, he said, “You’re so beautiful, Alva. You remind me so much of Mom. You look just like her. The first time I saw your picture, I felt like I’d seen you before. But it didn’t click then that you might actually be my sister.” He paused for a moment, his voice softening. “Grandpa was the one who figured it out first. After Thea was adopted, I tried to love her as my sister. I really did. But… it never felt the same.” Alva stayed quiet, sensing the raw emotion in his words. “I still remember when we were little,” Nikolai continued, his lips curving into a bittersweet smile. “You used to call me ‘big brother.’ You loved playing with me. You’d pull my hair, laugh when I crawled around pretendi
Karina walked in with Thea, their arms overloaded with shopping bags. Behind them, a small group of supermarket staff followed, carrying even more. Alva’s eyes widened, disbelief etched on her face as the sheer volume of bags kept piling into the room. When the last of the bags had been unloaded and the staff finally left, Alva could only gape at the mountain of items. Karina perched beside her on the bed, her expression soft and apologetic, though a warm smile lingered on her lips. "I might have gone a little overboard," Karina admitted sheepishly. "I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I just... got a bit of everything." Her smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a look of deep vulnerability. "When I found out I had a daughter, I made sure this room stayed exactly the way it was. This was your room when you were little." Her voice wavered, and Alva could see the emotion brimming in her eyes. "I’ve kept it this way all these years. Even your baby clothes are still here. I had the ro
Alva smiled faintly at her mother, but her mind was a storm of emotions. "I don’t even know how I feel, Mom," she admitted, her voice soft and hesitant. "I can’t say if I love Jonas or not. Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I’m just… lost. Right now, I want to focus on my life....on college, on my dreams, and on preparing to be a mother. That already feels overwhelming." Karina reached out, pulling Alva's cheeks lovingly. Her gaze brimmed with love and determination. "You’ll have everything you want, Alva. I promise you that. No matter what it takes, I’ll make sure your dreams come true." Meanwhile, across the city, Marianne sat in a quiet, tension-filled room with her husband, Troy. His sharp gaze bore into her, his patience visibly wearing thin. "Marianne," he said, his voice firm but steady. "You’ve been saying you need to tell me something, but you keep holding back. Just spit it out." She fidgeted, wringing her hands together. "I’m worried, Troy," she admitted. "What I have to
After Nikolai finished explaining everything, Karina shot to her feet, her face flushed with anger as she clenched her fists. "How dare that mother and son treat you like this?" she snapped, her voice trembling with fury. "Mom, it’s okay," Nikolai said gently, placing a steady hand on her arm. "Don’t let this upset you too much. Leave everything to us, alright? You’ve been moving around all day, and it’s not good for your health. Why don’t you take a shower and rest? We don’t want your blood pressure spiking. Grandpa would worry if...." Karina fixed him with a sharp look, cutting him off. "So now you’re my doctor? Don’t worry about me, Nikolai. I’m fine. I just want to stay here with my daughter a little longer." "But Mom," Nikolai countered softly, "Alva needs rest too. She’s pregnant, and her ankle is still healing. How about this....why don’t you take a shower and lie down for a bit? You’ll feel better, and you can spend more time with her later." Karina hesitated, her lips pre
Freya’s sniffles echoed through her small, cozy apartment as she sat on the couch hugging a pillow. Her eyes were red and puffy, and the tissue box beside her had taken quite the hit. No matter how hard she tried to stop crying, memories of Alva flooded her mind.She remembered the time they’d challenged each other to eat an entire cake in one sitting, only to get sick halfway through. And who could forget the time they’d tried to dye their hair but ended up with Freya’s turning green and Alva’s an unfortunate shade of orange? There was also the time when they pretended to be big shots, went into a clothing store and tried on the most ridiculous outfits in a store just to laugh at each other in the mirror.Freya let out a watery chuckle at the memories before fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “I should’ve just returned the card,” she muttered, wiping her nose. “I wouldn’t have lost my best friend if I’d just given it back.”She sat there, wallowing, when another thought struck her
Alva’s breath caught as she took an instinctive step back, her hands tightening around the crutches she used for balance. The confident smile on her face melted away, replaced by an icy stare that she directed straight at Jonas. “What do you want?” she demanded, her voice sharp and unwavering. Jonas took a hesitant step closer, his hands raised as if to placate her. “I want to explain something to you,” he said, his tone earnest. “We didn’t finish our conversation earlier.” Alva snorted, the sound low and dismissive. She shifted her weight slightly, her crutches squeaking against the pavement. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say,” she said coldly, brushing past him with deliberate indifference. The tap of her crutches against the ground echoed with her resolve as she began to walk away. “I don’t love Emilie,” Jonas’s voice suddenly broke through the tension, the words striking her like a thunderclap. “It’s you, Alva.” She froze. The night air seemed to thicken, wrappi
Alva finally found her grandfather’s room after wandering down the quiet hallways. The door creaked softly as she knocked and pushed it open, revealing him sitting upright in bed, a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose, and a thick book cradled in his hands. “Grandpa,” she whispered, a wave of relief washing over her. He looked up, his eyes twinkling with warmth. “Alva, sweetheart. What are you doing up this late?” “I wanted to check on you,” she said, limping over on her crutches. “Nikolai told me your blood pressure spiked earlier. I got worried.” He chuckled, setting the book aside. “That brother of yours is worse than a mother hen. He’s been fussing over me all day, insisting I stay in bed. I feel fine, truly.” Alva dropped onto a chair by his bed, her crutches leaning against the wall. “You can’t blame him. We all just want you to be okay.” Her grandfather reached out, taking her hand in his. “And I am okay, as long as I see you smiling. Come here.” He patted th
Freya’s gaze lingered on Nikolai like he was a piece of art she couldn’t quite stop admiring. Alva smirked, nudging her lightly with her elbow. “Hey, Freya." Freya’s eyes brimmed with tears, but before a single drop could fall, Alva held out her hand, stopping her. “Please, save me all the drama,” she teased, breaking the tension with her signature wit. Freya broke into a grin as Alva pulled her into a tight hug. It was like old times again, the invisible wall that had separated them melting away. “Have you forgiven me?” Freya asked, her voice tinged with excitement and nervousness. “How can I stay mad at my bestie?” Alva replied, though her tone softened. “What you did really hurt me, Freya. If you ever betray me again, I swear I’ll never forgive you.” Freya pulled back, shaking her head furiously. “I’ll never dare to betray you ever again. I promise.” Their heartfelt moment was interrupted by Nikolai’s voice. “What are you two whispering about?” he asked, his sharp ey
Freya’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she grabbed Alva’s hand tightly. “You’re incredible. I knew you were destined for greatness, Alva, but CEO? That’s next-level stuff. I’m so proud of you!” “Thank you,” Alva replied, squeezing her friend’s hand. “And when the time comes, you can come work with me in the company. We’ll run it together.” Freya’s lip quivered, and she blinked rapidly, trying to keep her tears in check. “Alva, you’re the best friend anyone could ask for. No, scratch that—you’re the best human being alive.” Alva giggled. “Don’t cry, Freya. Save the waterworks for the CEO inauguration.” “I can’t help it!” Freya wailed dramatically before pulling Alva into a bone-crushing hug. “I’m the luckiest person in the world to have you.” As Freya finally released her, she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, smiling brightly. “So… can I come on this fancy business trip too? I’ll hide in your suitcase.” Alva shook her head, laughing. “No can do.” “Why not?
Thea’s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her teeth ground against each other as she watched Alva bask in the warmth of everyone’s affection. The realization hit her like a slap to the face—Alva had planned this. She had the evidence all along and had played the helpless victim, crying her way into everyone’s hearts. And Thea? Thea had walked right into her trap. Her head began to spin as her mind screamed, 'I was outsmarted by her?' “How could I be so foolish?” Thea muttered under her breath, her voice so low only she could hear it. Karina’s voice snapped Thea out of her angry thoughts. “I will think of a befitting punishment for what you’ve done,” Karina said, her gaze icy as she looked down at her daughter sprawled on the floor, still feigning remorse. “Mom, I didn’t....” “You’re grounded for a month, for now, until I think of a much better punishment,” Karina declared firmly, cutting off Thea’s weak protest. Thea’s mouth dropped open. Grounded? She
Alva’s hands trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks, her voice barely audible. “Why does this always happen to me?” she whispered, clutching her chest as though trying to hold her breaking heart together. Vidar stepped closer, his voice steady yet soothing. “Don’t cry, Alva. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters here is that the jewelry is yours, and you have every right to take it whenever you want.” Her mother, Karina, nodded firmly, moving to stand beside Vidar. “He’s right, Alva. What’s mine is yours. You’re my daughter—feel free to take anything you need, anytime.” Karina’s voice held a protective tone, though her furrowed brows betrayed her inner conflict. Alva glanced at her mother, her lips quivering. “But I didn’t even know the jewelry existed until now.” Before Karina could respond, Nikolai interjected, his jaw tight with anger. “Alva didn’t put that jewelry there. Someone else did this, and I won’t spare them.” Vidar placed a firm hand on Nikolai’s shoulde
Thea's tears fell freely as she sobbed in the middle of the room, her voice trembling. “I can’t believe this is happening. I’ve only ever wanted the best for this family.....for us. And now, you’re all treating me like I’m an outsider.” She sniffled, glancing around the room with a pitiful expression. “I was only trying to help. Alva is my sister, and I just wanted to make sure she’s on the right path.” Alva softened her gaze. She stepped forward, her voice calm yet firm. “You’re right, Thea. Maybe you’re only doing this because you care.” The room fell silent, everyone staring at Alva as she faced Thea directly. “If you think this is your way of helping me, then I’ll prove to you that I don’t need saving,” Alva said gently. “What would it take for you to believe that I didn’t take the jewelry?” Thea hesitated, her lips twitching as if she was weighing her next words. Finally, she spoke, her voice tinged with resolve. “If we searched your room and didn’t find the jewelry, I’d bel
The room was tense. The weight of Thea's accusations hung in the air like a storm cloud, thick and suffocating. Alva stood in the middle of the chaos, her face calm. “You’re all acting like I’m the villain here!” Thea’s voice cracked with frustration, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “I can’t just sit back and let Mom be wronged. I love Alva, she’s my sister. But it kills me to think that she could do something like this to the person who’s given her everything!”Alva scoffed but she didn’t respond. Thea turned to the others, her voice softening, as if she were pleading for their understanding. “Even if Alva wanted the jewelry, that wouldn’t have been a bad thing. Mom was already planning to give it to her. But stealing it? That’s what hurts. Seeing my sister hurt my mother is unbearable.We all know Alva didn't grow up with us. She had a rough life and no one knows how many times she must have stolen, just to survive. How can we help her if she doesn't acknowledge her pr
Freya’s gaze lingered on Nikolai like he was a piece of art she couldn’t quite stop admiring. Alva smirked, nudging her lightly with her elbow. “Hey, Freya." Freya’s eyes brimmed with tears, but before a single drop could fall, Alva held out her hand, stopping her. “Please, save me all the drama,” she teased, breaking the tension with her signature wit. Freya broke into a grin as Alva pulled her into a tight hug. It was like old times again, the invisible wall that had separated them melting away. “Have you forgiven me?” Freya asked, her voice tinged with excitement and nervousness. “How can I stay mad at my bestie?” Alva replied, though her tone softened. “What you did really hurt me, Freya. If you ever betray me again, I swear I’ll never forgive you.” Freya pulled back, shaking her head furiously. “I’ll never dare to betray you ever again. I promise.” Their heartfelt moment was interrupted by Nikolai’s voice. “What are you two whispering about?” he asked, his sharp ey
Alva finally found her grandfather’s room after wandering down the quiet hallways. The door creaked softly as she knocked and pushed it open, revealing him sitting upright in bed, a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose, and a thick book cradled in his hands. “Grandpa,” she whispered, a wave of relief washing over her. He looked up, his eyes twinkling with warmth. “Alva, sweetheart. What are you doing up this late?” “I wanted to check on you,” she said, limping over on her crutches. “Nikolai told me your blood pressure spiked earlier. I got worried.” He chuckled, setting the book aside. “That brother of yours is worse than a mother hen. He’s been fussing over me all day, insisting I stay in bed. I feel fine, truly.” Alva dropped onto a chair by his bed, her crutches leaning against the wall. “You can’t blame him. We all just want you to be okay.” Her grandfather reached out, taking her hand in his. “And I am okay, as long as I see you smiling. Come here.” He patted th
Alva’s breath caught as she took an instinctive step back, her hands tightening around the crutches she used for balance. The confident smile on her face melted away, replaced by an icy stare that she directed straight at Jonas. “What do you want?” she demanded, her voice sharp and unwavering. Jonas took a hesitant step closer, his hands raised as if to placate her. “I want to explain something to you,” he said, his tone earnest. “We didn’t finish our conversation earlier.” Alva snorted, the sound low and dismissive. She shifted her weight slightly, her crutches squeaking against the pavement. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say,” she said coldly, brushing past him with deliberate indifference. The tap of her crutches against the ground echoed with her resolve as she began to walk away. “I don’t love Emilie,” Jonas’s voice suddenly broke through the tension, the words striking her like a thunderclap. “It’s you, Alva.” She froze. The night air seemed to thicken, wrappi
Freya’s sniffles echoed through her small, cozy apartment as she sat on the couch hugging a pillow. Her eyes were red and puffy, and the tissue box beside her had taken quite the hit. No matter how hard she tried to stop crying, memories of Alva flooded her mind.She remembered the time they’d challenged each other to eat an entire cake in one sitting, only to get sick halfway through. And who could forget the time they’d tried to dye their hair but ended up with Freya’s turning green and Alva’s an unfortunate shade of orange? There was also the time when they pretended to be big shots, went into a clothing store and tried on the most ridiculous outfits in a store just to laugh at each other in the mirror.Freya let out a watery chuckle at the memories before fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “I should’ve just returned the card,” she muttered, wiping her nose. “I wouldn’t have lost my best friend if I’d just given it back.”She sat there, wallowing, when another thought struck her