Lucien's POVAs the evening drew to a close, I stood up, my eyes locking onto Krisdana's."I'll walk you out," I said, my voice low.Krisdana nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.My family nodded in understanding, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.We stepped out into the crisp night air, the porch creaking beneath our feet.Krisdana shivered, her arms wrapping around herself.Without thinking, I slipped off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders."Hey," I said softly, "you're cold."Krisdana's eyes flashed, her hands reaching up to remove the jacket."No, Lucien," she said firmly, her voice laced with a hint of frustration."We're not dating anymore. No need for all that."I raised an eyebrow, my hands lingering on the jacket."I know," I said, my voice low, "but I still want to take care of you. Your still my friend"Krisdana's gaze met mine, her eyes sparkling with a mix of warmth and warning."Lucien, stop," she said gently."We need to maintain bounda
Camilla's POVAs I surveyed our living room, I felt a sense of satisfaction.Everything was falling into place.One by one.Lucien was taking tentative steps to reconcile with Krisdana.Rosaline was slowly forgiving Krisdana, the tension between them dissipating.The atmosphere in our home was transforming.But two people caught my attention.April and Carly.April fidgeted, her eyes avoiding everyone.She had a secret.One she'd confided in me, tears streaming down her face.Her addiction.To prescription pills.A crutch to cope with stress.I knew she wanted to announce it to the family.But she hesitated.Fear of judgment?Fear of rejection?What if they didn't understand?What if they turned their backs on her?Carly, on the other hand, wore a mask.A bright smile.But her eyes betrayed her.Unhappiness lingered.A deep sadness.Dad noticed.I saw him glance at Carly, concern flickering across his face.But he said nothing.Of course, he said nothing.He was the cause of Carly's
April's POVI clutched the railing, my legs trembling beneath me. Everyone had left for dinner, oblivious to my struggle. I couldn't join them, couldn't face their concerned gazes. The pain was suffocating, but it wasn't just physical.My secret weighed heavier with each step. I couldn't confess, couldn't admit the truth. Addiction had wrapped its insidious arms around me, squeezing tight. The thought of revealing my shame made my stomach roil.I forced myself to move, one slow step at a time. The hallway seemed to stretch on forever, a never-ending gauntlet of fear. My family would be devastated. They'd never understand how I'd sunk so low.Their voices echoed in my mind - "April, you're strong," "April, you're capable." But I wasn't. I was weak, trapped in a vicious cycle. The pills had started as a solution, a way to cope with stress. Now, they controlled me.My hand slipped, and I grabbed the railing again, panic surging. What if they discovered my secret? What if they rejected me
April's POVI took a deep breath and let the words spill out, like a dam breaking. "I'm an addict," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm addicted to prescription pills, opioids, and other substances." The room fell silent, except for Augustine's sudden burst of laughter."Oh, April, you're joking!" he exclaimed, chuckling uncontrollably. "What kind of drugs do you take? Vitamin C or Paracetamol?" His laughter cut deep, making my face burn with shame. How could he not understand? Didn't he see the pain in my eyes?But then, Camilla stood up, her eyes flashing with anger. "It's true," she said, her voice firm. "Aunt April's been struggling with addiction." Her words were like a lifeline, pulling me back from the brink of despair.The room froze, like time itself had stopped. Lucien's smile faltered, Carly's eyes widened in shock, Emma's face fell, Gabe's expression turned somber, and Rosaline's mouth hung open. Augustine's laughter died abruptly, replaced by an awkward silence.
April's POVI woke up early, feeling a mix of emotions: anxiety, hope, and determination. Today was the day I would start my journey to recovery. Gabe, my older brother, stood in my doorway, his expression resolute."Ready?" he asked, his voice gentle.I nodded, taking a deep breath. We'd discussed the plan last night – Gabe would take me to a rehab center, where I'd begin my treatment.As I got dressed, Camilla came into my room, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "I'll miss you, Aunt April," she said, hugging me tightly."I'll miss you too, sweetie," I replied, holding her close. "But I'll be back soon, stronger and healthier."Downstairs, the rest of the family gathered to see me off. Emma handed me a small bag with some essentials – toiletries, clothes, and a journal."For writing down your thoughts," she said, smiling.Lucien gave me a warm hug. "You got this, sis."Carly and Rosaline whispered words of encouragement, their faces etched with concern.Augustine, still looking a bit
April's POVI arrived at the designated studio, eager for my private art session with Max. The door was slightly ajar, and I pushed it open, expecting to see Max setting up. Instead, I froze. Max stood with his back to me, his lips locked on a woman's. My heart plummeted.The woman's laughter echoed through the room as Max pulled back, smiling. "Hey, babe," he said, his voice dripping with affection. My mind reeled as I processed the scene. Max, the charming art instructor, had a girlfriend. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.The woman turned, noticing me standing there. Her eyes narrowed. "Can we help you?" she asked, her tone icy. Max spun around, his expression mortified. "April, I...I didn't expect you so soon." I forced a weak smile. "Sorry to interrupt. I didn't know you were...occupied."Max took a step forward, his eyes pleading. "April, this is Sophia, my girlfriend." The words stung. I nodded curtly. "Nice to meet you." Sophia's gaze lingered on me, her expression triu
Emma's POVTwo months had passed since April left for rehab. It felt like an eternity, but also a blink of an eye.Things had been surprisingly smooth. Camilla was thriving, enjoying her newfound peace. Rosaline, Camilla, and Krisdana were inseparable, their bond stronger than ever.But Carly... Carly was a different story.She'd been acting strange, distant, and withdrawn. I'd caught her staring off into space, her eyes clouded with worry."Carly, what's going on?" I'd ask, but she'd just shake her head."Nothing, Emma. I'm fine."Fine.That word was starting to grate on me.I knew better. Carly wasn't fine.Tomorrow was a big day – my new cake store, Sweet Delights, was finally opening. The excitement was palpable.Camilla and Rosaline were helping with the final preparations, their chatter filling the air.Krisdana was busy setting up the social media accounts, her fingers flying across the keyboard.But Carly... Carly was absent.I sighed, wondering what was troubling her.April's
Carly's POVI collapsed onto my bed, tears streaming down my face. Why did happiness seem to elude me? Everyone in my family had found their bliss – Mom and Dad's loving marriage till they passed, Emma's bubbly enthusiasm, and even Gabe's success. But me? I felt like the odd one out.Gabe's harsh words still stung. "You're just a burden, Carly. Why is it so hard for you to stay away from a threat" His disdain was palpable. Did he truly hate me? I couldn't comprehend why my own brother would reject me. We used to be close, sharing laughter and secrets. Now, it seemed like a distant memory.The ache in my chest deepened as I thought of Luca. My love, my soulmate. Why did they have to separate us? The distance felt suffocating, like a weight crushing my heart. I longed to see his bright smile, to feel his gentle touch. But no, fate had other plans.I buried my face in my pillow, sobbing uncontrollably. Why did life seem so cruel? Everyone around me moved forward, while I remained stuck i