The sobs eventually subsided, leaving behind a hollow ache in my chest and a numbness that spread through my limbs. Pulling away from Paul's embrace, I stood on shaky legs, his hand instinctively reaching out to steady me.
My voice hoarse from crying, I managed a choked plea. "I... I need to go to her."Paul's brow furrowed in concern. "No, Anastasia. You can't. It's better for you to stay at the house and wait for Regan."I shook my head. Biting my lip, I wiped away the tears that still clung to my lashes. "Please, Paul. I just want to know if she's okay. And I need to explain myself.""Anastasia—""Please," I cut him off, my gaze meeting his. There was a desperation in my eyes that I couldn't hide.Paul hesitated, his eyes scanning my tear-streaked face. He seemed to be weighing the risks. With a sigh, he nods.......The car screeched to a halt in front of the hospital, pulling me back to the present momenTime seemed to lose all meaning. But eventually, with a shaky breath, I forced myself to my feet. My face was a tear-streaked mess, my body ached with a dull throb. Taking a deep breath, I wiped away the tears. Straightening my clothes, and brushing away the dust and grime, I walked out of the room.I needed to see Zarina. Needed to know she was okay, if there was even a remote chance of explaining myself. Each step towards the emergency room felt like trudging through mud. As I approached, the murmur of voices grew louder. Regan's family huddled around Zarina; their faces etched with concern. Lost in their worry, they didn't notice me linger at the edge of the group. Taking a bite of my lip, the metallic tang of blood filled my mouth. I had to speak up, and explain what truly happened. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, a nurse cut through the tense atmosphere. "Excuse me, Mr. Del Valle," she addressed Regan, "but is there any immediate family member f
The sky had darkened considerably, the last rays of sunlight giving way to the inky blackness of night. A cold wind swept through the deserted road, sending chills down my spine. Despite the situation, an instinct for survival kicked in. I knew I couldn't stay there, exposed and vulnerable. Taking a shaky breath, I pushed myself to my feet and started walking. The road ahead was covered in darkness, but it was the only path I had. As I stumbled along, I raised a hand in a futile attempt to flag down passing cars, each one ignored. Night had completely fallen by the time I finally saw headlights way in the distance, getting bigger and brighter. Hope and fear battled each other in my chest. This had to work. I had to do something. Taking a deep breath, I clenched my fists and stepped right into the middle of the road, squeezing my eyes shut tight. This was it. Whatever happened next, I couldn't take it anymore. With all the strength I had left, I screame
Regan's POV The car ride home was tense and silent. My family and I sat in the dimly lit vehicle, each lost in our thoughts. I couldn't shake the image of Anastasia's eyes, filled with pain and betrayal, from my mind. I hadn’t known she was there. My father had left first, and one of my cousins had stayed behind with Zarina, who thankfully seemed fine now. But the frustration gnawed at me, knowing I had somehow failed Anastasia again. As we drove, I finally broke the silence. "Does anyone know where Anastasia went? It's already 10 in the evening." My mother, sitting beside me, glanced at me with concern. "She might be at the house by now," We pulled into the driveway, and Dad was waiting outside, his face etched with concern. "Is Anastasia with you?" he asked the moment I stepped out of the car. "No," I replied, a knot of dread forming in my stomach. Just the
Anastasia's POVThe towering cityscape of the city finally rose into view bringing a sliver of relief. My eyes felt gritty and raw like sandpaper had been rubbed across them. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest with each movement. Pulling into the familiar driveway of our mansion, I practically tumbled out of the taxi, my legs shaky.Susan practically ran our household, and rushed out the front door, her face etched with a mixture of surprise and concern. "Miss Anastasia? My goodness, what are you doing here? And why are you taking a taxi?"Behind her, the other maids peeked out from the doorway, their faces mirroring Susan's astonishment. I plastered a weak smile on my face, but I could feel the exhaustion radiating off me in waves. "Hey, Susan," I mumbled in a hoarse whisper. "Long story,""But... but where is Sir Regan..." Susan stammered, confusion clouding her features. She clearly expected me to be with Regan and the family at th
When I woke up, Regan was not by my side. He also hadn't slept beside me, but I heard him take clothes from his closet during the night. I sighed, feeling the emptiness of the bed. I came down, feeling lazy and not quite ready to face the day. I sank into the couch in the living room. Susan, one of the maids, brought me a tray of breakfast. I nibbled on the food, my appetite barely there. Sheila's sudden appearance startled me out of my thoughts. Her face, usually alight with a friendly smile, was etched with concern. She hurried over, her movements quick and worried, and sank down onto the couch beside me. "You look dead. Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes searching mine for answers. I forced a weak smile, the kind that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'm fine, Sheila," I lied, my voice barely above a whisper. "Just tired." Sheila wasn't convinced. She scrutinized me with a knowing look, her brow furrowed in worry. "Don't try to play it off, Anastasia. What happened? Tell me everythi
The next day, Regan was still not coming home, and the day stretched before me. By the time I woke, the day had reached its peak. As the afternoon sun cast its golden rays through the window, a notification buzzed on my phone. Pulling it out of my pocket, I glanced at the screen. It was a text from Gerard. His message was simple – a request to meet.Despite the fatigue that weighed me down, and the nausea churning in my stomach, I knew I couldn't ignore him. With a deep breath, I pushed myself off the couch. Moving on autopilot, I made my way to my room. The reflection in the mirror startled me. My usually bright green eyes were dull and shadowed. Choosing a red maxi dress, I slipped it on. The long sleeves offered a welcome layer of comfort, hiding the fading bruise blooming on my arm. The one I received from where Regan shoved me in a staff room. The red color felt like a shield, a way to mask the vulnerability I still felt.Reachi
The city lights began to twinkle as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Exhausted and emotionally drained, I craved a moment of peace. With a sigh, I decided to visit Le Ciel Bleu."Marlon, can we go to Le Ciel Bleu.""Certainly, Ma'am," he replied. He pulled away from the curb, the familiar route to the restaurant a blur as I leaned my head against the cool glass window.Le Ciel Bleu exuded a certain Parisian charm. A wrought-iron fence adorned with climbing ivy surrounded a small patio.As we arrived, Marlon opened the car door for me with his usual courtesy."You can go home, Marlon," I said, turning to my driver. "I'll call you when I'm ready.""Are you sure, Ma'am?""Yes, thank you," I replied and walked towards the restaurant, taking a seat at a corner table near the large glass wall.I opted for a quiet table in the corner, away from the main crow
We zipped through the city streets, the wind whipping through my hair and the rumble of the motorcycle engine filling my ears. The world blurred past in a kaleidoscope of lights and colors, a welcome distraction. We rode for what felt like an eternity, the city slowly giving way to the outskirts, dotted with twinkling lights and quiet neighborhoods.Finally, Alex pulled over in front of a small, unassuming diner tucked away on a side street. Relief washed over me as we dismounted, my legs slightly shaky from the unfamiliar ride. Alex took the helmet from my grasp, his touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary."How was your first motorcycle ride?""Exhilarating," A genuine smile spreading across my face. It was the first time I'd felt truly alive in what felt like forever. "But where exactly are we?""Thought you might need a break from all that fancy French food," he explained, leading me towards the diner entrance. "This place has the best comfort food in town, trust me
Regan's POVAlan finally managed to wrestle me out of the bar, the bouncer barking threats behind us. My face throbbed with a dull ache; my knuckles were scraped raw. Fishing a crumpled pack of cigarettes from my pocket, I fumbled for a lighter. The flame sparked to life, casting a glow on my bloodied hand."Here," Alan muttered, shoving a napkin at me. "Clean yourself up, you maniac."I ignored him, taking a long drag on the cigarette, the harsh smoke doing little to soothe the ache in my chest. "Damn it," I rasped, the words laced with frustration. "I wanted to turn those creeps into mush."The bouncer, a burly man with a shaved head, reached the doorway and threw his arms out, effectively blocking our re-entry. "You're done here, buddy! Find another bar to wreck!" He puffed out his chest, trying to appear intimidating, but to me, he looked like a puffed-up pigeon."Relax, tou
Regan’s POVThe exhaustion clawed at me that mirrored the worry twisting in my gut. Anastasia's face, pale and unconscious, kept flashing behind my eyelids. Every sip of the amber liquid at the bar did little to drown the guilt that choked me."If only I'd choose her," I muttered to myself, swirling the ice in my glass with a trembling hand.The past few hours replayed in my mind, a relentless loop of self-blame. If I'd chosen to spend the evening with Anastasia, maybe, just maybe, things would have been different. She wouldn't be lying in a hospital bed hooked up to machines.Just as despair threatened to consume me, a hand landed on my shoulder. I flinched, startled, and turned to see Alan's familiar face etched with concern."Regan, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice low but laced with worry. "You look like you've been dragged through the wringer."I shrugged him off n
After a restless night, I finally tore myself away from Anastasia's bedside and went home to my condo. Exhaustion gnawed at me, and I knew I needed a change of clothes and a decent cup of coffee to function. Pulling off the scrubs, I traded them for a pair of comfy jeans and a loose-fitting t-shirt. With a quick caffeine fix in mind, I headed to a nearby 24/7 diner. These late-night havens were a godsend. Sliding into a booth, I nursed a strong cup of coffee, the bitter brew jumpstarting my foggy brain.The first rays of dawn were just peeking over the horizon as I returned to the hospital. Entering Anastasia's room, I froze in surprise. There, perched on a chair beside the bed, sat a woman I recognized all too well – Anastasia's stepmother, Marianne. She was a woman of striking beauty. But something in her makes me feel intimidated and that was new to my vocabulary. I seldom got intimidated. Anastasia was the one person who could truly get under this woman’s skin."She does n
Sheila's POVGerard's eyes welled up with tears. "We know we messed up," he choked out, "We were awful to her. But we still love her, and we just want to be here for her now."I scoffed a harsh sound that echoed in the room. "Hypocrites!" I spat, whirling around to leave. I couldn't stand to be around them for another minute.But Christopher lunged forward, grabbing my arm with surprising strength. "You don't get to tell us what to do! You're just her friend. We're her family!"I yanked my arm free, glaring at him with icy fury. Despite his handsome features, his arrogant attitude made him completely unattractive to me at that moment. "Actually," I shot back coldly, "I'm her Health Care proxy. That means I make the decisions about her care. And let's face it, Mr. Christopher Montreal, you've never exactly acted like a brother to her."His face drained of color, a mixture of shock and anger contorting his features. "What did you say?""You heard me loud and clear," I said, my vo
Sheila's POVA few hours crawled by each tick of the clock an agonizing reminder of the danger Anastasia was in. Finally, word reached me that she'd been moved to a special private room. Soft lighting cast a warm glow on the plush furniture, and a vase filled with fresh flowers sat on a table beside the bed.Pushing open the door, I found a kind-faced nurse monitoring the readings on a nearby machine. "Excuse me," I said softly. "Can you tell me if—""Dr. Sheila, I presume?" she interrupted gently, a knowing smile on her lips. "Yes, Miss Anastasia is resting comfortably now."I nodded my thanks. Walking over to the bed, I gazed down at my best friend. Anastasia looked pale and fragile. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Reaching out, I took her hand in mine, its coolness sending a shiver down my spine. "Hey, Tasia," I whispered. Even though I knew she couldn't hear me, the words tumbled out."Please wake up," I pleaded, my voice breaking. "I have something to tell y
Sheila's POVMy chest burned with anger—a fire that had been simmering since the day I discovered that he was cheating with his wife—with my best friend. The sight of him now only fanned the flames.“This is your fault,” I spat, the words slicing through the tense silence like a blade. My voice trembled, heavy with fury and grief. “You need to leave. Now.”Regan flinched as though I’d struck him. His face twisted, his stormy eyes filling with guilt and something that might have been pain. But then, he straightened. His shoulders slumped moments ago, squared slightly as he took a deep, steadying breath. The shift in his posture sent a jolt of fury through me.“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, his voice rough but firm. “I need to see Anastasia.”I stared at him, stunned by his audacity. His gaze was firm now, though his face still bore the marks of exhaustion.“Absolutely not,” I snapped, stepping forward to block his path. “You’re not going anywhere near her, Regan. She doesn’t need y
Sheila’s POVThe door to the operating room swung open with a soft hiss, releasing a waft of sterile air tinged with antiseptic. I stepped out, still clad in green scrubs, my hands trembling faintly from the adrenaline of the past hours. Tugging off the blue net cap, I raked a hand through my sweat-damp hair, my chest tightening as the weight of what just happened began to settle in."Dr. Cortez," a nurse called out as she hurried toward me. "The patient's family is here waiting outside."I froze, my brow furrowing. "Family? Are you sure about that?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, the lingering edge of fear and exhaustion bleeding through.It wasn’t uncommon for patients to arrive at the hospital without anyone. But Anastasia... Anastasia’s world was complicated. Her family was complicated."Yes, Doctor," she replied softly, her eyes glancing briefly at the operating room doors behind me. "They're asking about her condition."My heart thudded painfully in my chest, the gho
I wiped my tears away with trembling hands and looked at him. Regan’s jaw was clenched, his face grim and unreadable. Yet, there was something in his eyes—an unspoken emotion that made my heart ache even more. He walked over to me, each step heavy with hesitation, and reached out a hand. His fingers brushed against the red mark on my cheek with a gentleness that belied the chaos around us.My eyes met his, brimming with tears and pain.“Anastasia,” he began, his voice raw and full of regret. “I’m so—”But he couldn’t finish. A voice cut through us like a knife, sharp and demanding.“Regan!”We both turned, startled, to see Zarina standing in the hallway, her arms crossed and her expression cold. Her voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.“I need to talk to you. Now.”Regan hesitated, his gaze flickering back to me. His hand dropped to his side, leaving the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin.“Zarina, not now,” he said firmly, his voice carrying an edge of irritation.“P
A flicker of movement on the edge of the stage caught my eye. The band members exchanged confused glances. Then, a familiar face emerged from the shadows – the old man from my music school, his kind eyes crinkled in a smile that held a lifetime of understanding. It was a small gesture, but it was enough.Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Taking a deep breath, I raised my trembling hands and hovered them over the cool ivory keys. The music book in front of me lay open, displaying the familiar score of "Moonlight Sonata."In that moment, guided by the raw ache in my heart, I began to play. The first notes were hesitant. But as I poured my emotions into the music, the pain of loving Regan, the bitter sting of betrayal, a transformation began to take place. The gasps of surprise from the audience, the almost imperceptible click of hundreds of cameras capturing the moment – all faded into the background.Tears streamed down my cheeks; each note a raw expression of the pain I