he pillow, her face twisted in discom

d filled with panic. She gasped for air, her ch

to her face, but a sharp stin

she saw it- the thin IV

d yanked it out. The pain made

hite room, the strong scent o

s in a

t w

ainfully; her boyfriend's cruel words, her siste

to a faint smile, but it wasn

made a f

, her love... and they had cr

ad. That was when she noticed someon

d up awkwardly, dozing i

ed the blanket off her legs. She slid her feet to th

Her brows furrowed as she blinked awake j

ed for her, gently grabbing her arm. "What ar

er. "I'm leaving,"

tly on Alina's shoulders. "Alina, don't tell me you'

aine's hands, then slowly r

, shaking her head. "No. That would make it to

for this."

ows furrowed. She didn't ne

Kelvin and Jennifer... the very t

asked cautiously, her eyes locked on

er hair around one finger. "Nothing drastic. J

er, her lips curling again,

d that sent a chill d

d, already heading fo

her walk out of the ward like she

hing, to stop her, to as

o word

Did she need a d

is just...

nt, Lorrain

..

ng she'd always called home, inhaling so

hesitation, she made her way to her room. Once there, she p

g them neatly inside until somethi

med pi

ked it u

brightly, arms wrapped around each oth

glass. They looked happy. Like the p

ad all be

're h

e her stepsister standing in the doorway, ar

y turned back to her suitcase

here?" she asked, stifling back a laugh. "You know...

n't respond. She

ruelty. "Remember that night Kelvin told you he h

ll, the truth is... he was with

ned. "It was...

She kept folding. Kep

closer until she w

, leaning in like they were sharing goss

loser, her lips nearl

nthouse. I thought it was finally time you saw the truth f

and lifted it from the bed befo

said softly, a small smile forming o

action, she walked past J

ce, her smile fading. That wa

xpected ra

alked away like none

ow... that

...

t, suitcase in hand. After a brief re

h to go to work?" Lorraine had a

or. Inside, she saw Fred, the older man who'd been her boss fo

pped in

His voice trailed off as he took her in; simple clothes,

said, walking toward

n, sir," Alina

been

"Am I still allowed t

his place missed you, Alina. We co

ed. "Thanks

alked over to her section wh

ibbon. Her coworkers couldn't stop whisperi

e doing?" o

ral bouquet?" another

whispered to Fred

d gently but firmly.

y, leaving Alina al

**

, she found Lorraine lounging in the l

ic? I mean, your work

coat. "It was distracting," she a

ayfully. "Good. Distrac

Alina arc

ou remember there's a

leaning back.

That's where you

t going," Alin

ou two started dating, he stopped showing up. He's too rich and proud to a

point. Maybe a distraction was exactly wha

ed back to the funeral b

ve Kelvin a lit

n his face. The thought

ing? You're scaring me," she muttered,

ce?" Alina asked with a mischievous