Eric's POV
I replied briefly, "It's up to you if you don't believe me at all; I won't force you to." My voice was calm, even though the atmosphere around us was quite chaotic.When I glanced at Serena, I noticed a change in her face. Her complexion began to flush, indicating that her emotions were starting to flare up. The conversation between me and Malisa seemed to have triggered a reaction within her. Her expression showed that she felt trapped in this conflict between two people who were supposed to support each other.I knew that this situation could potentially worsen her relationship with her mother. In my mind, I tried to navigate this tension, doing my best to prevent Serena from sinking deeper into the uncertainty caused by our argument. However, I also realized that my actions and words could determine the direction of the conversation.Serena spoke firmly, her voice filled with anger. "Enough, Dad! Let her be and hang up the phone right noEric's POV The atmosphere around was quite calm, but my heart was still filled with anxiety. I couldn't take my mind off what was happening inside.While waiting, I observed the activity around me. Several nurses and doctors passed by, busy with their tasks. The beeping of medical equipment and hurried footsteps made me increasingly restless. Although I knew the medical team was doing their best for Serena, the worry still haunted my thoughts.I thought about how significant this action was for her. With my blood donation, I hoped to provide hope and strength. Each second felt like hours, and I couldn't wait for the transfusion process to finish. In my heart, I kept praying for everything to go smoothly and for Serena to recover soon.Footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor, getting closer. Lina and I, who were sitting, were startled, especially when Lina nudged my arm to get my attention. I was taken aback to see Malisa arriving. I remembered t
Eric's POVI felt miserable after Lina spoke like that. It was as if I had been silenced by the reality that had unfolded. Her words spun in my mind, making my head dizzy. Lina, with her strange and confused look, still stood beside me. This confusion deepened, trapping me in a situation I couldn’t escape.In my mind, only one thing crossed my thoughts: I had to let Serena go. Although my heart felt heavy, I knew this was the decision I had to make. I had tried for so long, but it seemed all my efforts were in vain. This feeling of resignation came so suddenly, leaving me emotionally exhausted.After sitting in silence for a long time, I hurried home to Roby's rented house. Each step felt heavy, as if a weight pressed down on my shoulders. I felt I was losing control over everything, especially over things I never predicted. In the car, my thoughts drifted back to the beautiful moments with Serena. Yet, I knew that happiness was now just a memory.Upon
Eric's POV I could no longer hold back the emotions that finally spilled over. It felt like Roby made me utterly sick. Returning home with defeat on my shoulders, Malisa greeted me with a scornful look. Now, it felt like Roby was spitting in my face, igniting the fire I had to confront.He looked shocked when he received a punch he didn't see coming. In an instant, all the pent-up frustration and anger burst out. I was surprised by my sudden courage, as if some other force was moving me.However, it wasn't long before Roby recovered from his shock. His anger surged, and in a flash, he retaliated. The punch hit my cheek, and the pain struck me harder than I expected.As the pain spread across my face, I realized how quickly the situation had turned chaotic. What should have been an emotional conversation had ended in violence. In that confusion, I felt a mix of anger and fear.Now, amidst this conflict, I had to think about my next move. Would
Eric's POV My voice trembled, and the mixed emotions made it hard to explain. "Lina, I... I don't know how this happened. We were fighting and... and he fell into the cliff."Lina listened intently, her eyes widening as I recounted everything that had happened. "What? He fell into the cliff? Are you sure he's okay?" she asked, worry echoing in her voice.I could only shake my head, sadness and uncertainty weighing down my chest. "I don't know, I just... don't know what to do."In that moment, I felt a heavy burden in my heart. Guilt and fear enveloped me, and I knew that my life would be affected by this incident forever. "That's good then," Lina said with a straight look, making me even more confused.I didn’t understand why Lina responded to my story about Roby that way. Right now, I felt unwell and anxious. The thought of the police possibly looking for me due to Roby's unfortunate condition haunted my mind. I didn’t even know how Ro
Eric's POV I kept thinking about that because I felt threatened. Next, the second was about Malisa and Serena. Yes, Serena was still in Malisa's hands. I wondered if Serena and Malisa might be starting to have a good relationship now. Especially since Serena had not tried to contact me. Anxiety gnawed at my heart, imagining them spending time together, sharing stories, while I remained isolated here. Or perhaps Serena is still weak and hasn't regained consciousness until now. I keep trying to convince myself that maybe she just needs time to recover. However, this uncertainty is torturous. Every passing second makes me more anxious. I don’t know what might be happening right now, and that makes me feel increasingly helpless.These muddled thoughts aren’t good. I try to think positively, but the shadows of worry continue to haunt me. Have I failed to protect Serena? Was my decision to get involved in this plan the right one? All these questions spin endle
Eric's POVThe news about Serena jumping from the building unsettled me. I tried to find accurate and reliable information, ignoring all the circulating rumors. Every second felt long as I scoured social media and news sites. It was hard to believe that the news was true. Serena was a cheerful and spirited person, far from the despair that was rumored.I tried to contact Lina, Serena's close friend, hoping she could provide clarification. My call rang, but there was no answer. Disappointment began to creep in, while negative thoughts started to invade my mind. What really happened? Was the news true? Why wasn't Lina answering? All these questions spun in my head, making me increasingly anxious.This worry wasn't just about Serena, but also about our relationship. I felt cut off from information that I should have been able to get from Lina. In a situation like this, I wanted to reach out to my other friends, hoping one of them would have the latest news. H
Eric's POV I wanted to explain, but the words seemed to freeze. Malisa had every right to be angry; we were all connected in this tragedy. However, in a situation like this, all I could do was stand there, trying to process everything happening. I wanted to reach for Lina’s hand, hoping we could support each other, but everything felt so distant.In the crowd, I tried to find a way to ease the situation. "Malisa, we didn’t know…," I said softly, but my voice was nearly drowned out by her cries.The deep pain hung between us, and I knew we had to find a way out of this darkness. Suddenly, Malisa forcefully grabbed my collar, shaking me while shouting, "Bring my child back!" Her voice was full of anguish and anger, trapping me in a situation that was becoming increasingly tense.“Calm down, Malisa! What’s going on?” I asked, trying to find the right words amid the chaos. But every passing second felt heavier. The crowd around us only increased my a
Eric's POV "I don’t know the exact moments leading up to all of this. Because Serena was under her mother’s care. But there was clearly some conflict between Serena and Malisa in the weeks leading up to this, that’s all I know. Perhaps her homeroom teacher could clarify more," I said, nudging Lina with my elbow.I hoped this answer would be enough to divert their attention, but the crowd of reporters still seemed curious. Lina looked confused, but I tried to signal her to explain if necessary. The atmosphere was becoming more pressing, and I knew we had to be careful with every word that came out.Lina seemed startled, looking nervous to start her answer. I gestured for her to begin speaking, reassuring her that this was the right time to gain positive validation. In situations like this, every word we uttered would have a significant impact. This news would surely spread, circulating through mass media, print, and even the internet.I imagined how ou
Malisa’s POV This night was quite heavy for me, but after dialoguing with myself in the stillness of solitude, I began to find definite answers that came from within. I felt this decision was ripe. I would take Mariana's advice. Although I didn’t know what would happen between me and Eric moving forward, my inner self clearly said that I had to do it. After coming to a conclusion from my relatively brief reflection, I lay down on my bed. I felt a little relief and could breathe in the cool air. My chest slowly felt lighter, no longer tight. I closed my eyes very peacefully, allowing my mind to rest. I let myself drift into sleep for the remainder of the night. By early morning, I immediately contacted Mariana to meet me that very morning. I wanted to discuss the outcome of the decision I would make today. Mariana came, and we talked at length. She understood my thought process and had empathy for the feelings within me. Finally, we began to handle everything according to my wishes
Malisa's POV Doubt still lingered in my heart. "But what if this just leads to repeating the same mistakes? Am I really ready to face that possibility?"Mariana smiled slightly, looking at me with confidence. "Every decision carries risks, Ma'am. But if you feel there’s a chance for growth and change, it’s worth trying. No one can guarantee the outcome, but at least you’ll know you’ve made an effort. If not now, when?"I pondered Mariana’s words, struck by her insightful reasoning. "Yes, you’re right, but..." I said, still feeling uncertain about Eric."Enough, Ma'am Malisa. You can give him a chance. He’s just an ordinary human, like us. But it’s up to you, and the decision is yours," Mariana said with a smile.Hearing her words made me feel a bit more open. Perhaps it was indeed true that everyone deserves a second chance. Eric wasn’t a monster; he also had weaknesses and made mistakes. If I could forgive him, maybe I could also find a way
Malisa’s POVClearly, I felt sad because the current situation regarding this conflict did not align with my hopes and expectations. Everything felt far from what I had imagined. Initially, I just wanted to live my life peacefully, but now, I was trapped in a complicated and emotional conflict.Eric started it, and now I had to resolve it. In my mind, there was a mix of emotions. On one hand, I felt angry and disappointed that everything wasn’t going according to plan. Yet, on the other hand, I also felt this was a responsibility I had to bear. This had already happened, and whether I liked it or not, I had to get involved in a matter that clearly dragged me in.Every time I thought of Eric, there was a battle between hate and pity within me. He might be responsible for many problems, but I couldn't ignore the fact that he was also a human being struggling. The dream about Serena deepened my doubts, as if urging me to consider various possibilities that I had never wanted before.I kn
Malisa’s POVI sighed heavily."I know, but sometimes I wonder if the right punishment can erase all this pain. Is there another way? Perhaps, behind all this, there are lessons to be learned, not just punishment."Mariana looked at me seriously. "Justice isn't just about punishment; it's also about the process of understanding and repairing. But sometimes, we must remember that actions have consequences. Whatever happens tomorrow, it will be part of our journey."I fell silent, contemplating Mariana's words. Perhaps she was right, but still, this feeling of uncertainty was hard to ignore. In that silence, I knew that whatever happened in tomorrow's hearing, my life and the lives of those around us would never be the same again."Mariana, I feel like there’s something weighing on my heart. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain," I said, confused by my suddenly shifting emotions. "What is it, Ma'am? If you don’t mind, share it with me. Don’t hesitate if you want to share your story w
Malisa's POVEverything feels strange and very odd. Seeing the closeness between Eric and Lina is truly unnatural. In my view, they both seem too familiar with each other, and that makes me suspicious. I have no doubt that they must have something hidden, something they want to keep from those around them. This uncertainty continues to haunt my mind.I feel the need to uncover all the secrets between them. Only by knowing what really happened can I achieve peace of mind. I am sure there is more than just friendship between Eric and Lina. That's why I decided to ask for help from Mariana, my reliable best friend.Mariana is known for being clever and resourceful. She has a sharp instinct for finding the information needed. I gave her the task of investigating the closeness of Eric and Lina, hoping she could find clues that would lead me to the truth. Without hesitation, Mariana accepted this challenge and quickly got to work.Day after day, I waited for news from Mariana with hope. Eve
Eric's POV Trying to maintain my composure, I attempted not to show my fear. "I'm here to serve my sentence," I replied softly, trying to convey that I didn't want to get involved in any conflict. They laughed, their voices filled with mockery. "A sentence? Here, we set the rules. You need to learn to respect your elders!" one of them said, moving closer in a menacing manner. I looked at them one by one, hoping to find at least one person who wasn't too bad and could befriend me. However, all the long-term inmates here appeared fierce and intolerant toward newcomers like me. Despair began to fill my mind, and I knew I had no choice but to accept this reality and situation. "Nice to meet you," said someone right in front of me before delivering a hard punch to my stomach. "Ouch," I exclaimed spontaneously, groaning in pain. The pain shook my body, and I had to bend over to lessen the impact of the sudden attack. The laughter from the other inmates filled the air, adding to the sh
Eric's POV As we walked, I tried to reflect on everything that had happened. Thoughts about the future, about how I could rectify my mistakes, began to fill my mind. Although it felt very heavy right now, I realized there were lessons to be learned from all of this. I followed the officer, trying to stay focused on the next step. In my heart, I promised not to give up and to seek ways to rebuild my life, even though the challenges ahead were still great. As the door to the room opened and I took just two steps forward, I saw faces filled with joy, mocking my situation. Some even looked ready to spit in my direction. Feelings of shame and heartache washed over me, but the officer quickly shielded me, ensuring I didn’t receive mistreatment from the people I was passing. "Come on, pick up the pace!" the officer said, directing me to hurry. I nodded my head, signaling that I understood his instructions. With quick steps, I tried to ignore the voices around me, even though every lau
Eric's POV As the trial proceeded, I tried to focus, listening to every question and statement made. However, my thoughts always returned to Malisa and Roby, wondering how they were feeling about all of this. I wanted to fix everything, but I knew this journey wouldn't be easy. The trial process went relatively smoothly, although there was a bit of chaos midway. The atmosphere became tense, but I tried to stay focused. Among the crowd present, Malisa's gaze was directed at me. The sparkle in her eyes hinted at feelings I could interpret, but could not express. Anxiety washed over me as I sensed something strange in her stare. I felt that she still harbored feelings of love and affection for me, despite the vast distance this situation had created between us. That look reminded me of the beautiful memories we once shared, when everything felt simpler and full of hope. Now, we were in such a different place, and everything felt so foreign. I didn't know how long this situation woul
Eric's POVWithout hesitation, I began to step forward after the cell door was unlocked. The creaking metal signaled the start of this journey. The police officer was ready to escort me to the courtroom, affirming that all of this was a step toward accountability."Are you ready, Mr. Eric?" the officer asked as he turned to me."Yes, I’m ready," I replied, taking a deep breath to calm myself before facing what was to come. My eyes looked straight ahead, trying to ignore the anxiety that clouded my mind."Alright, let’s go!" the officer said, signaling for me to follow his lead. We walked down the cold, empty hallway, our footsteps echoing against the walls. Each step felt heavy, carrying the weight of regret and fear of what would happen in the courtroom.The courtroom was getting closer, and my heart raced. I knew that behind that door, many were waiting to hear my story, to understand the reasons behind everything that had happened. This was