ella

out of

e soft hum of the air conditioner. The distant sound of bir

nds. Peace

new the

ld was

ailed along the railing. The wood wa

he bottom a

. The kitchen was empty.

s al

o

I needed to plan. I

fourte

ys to chang

the cold marble floor. I poured myself a glass of wat

down and looke

ldings. Busy streets. People rushing to th

t in fourteen days,

I

had lived it. I

window. My thoughts wer

abe

fr

loved that voice. I h

d aroun

od in the

re rolled up to his elbows. His hair was per

ome. He always

saw him d

w the calculation in his smile. I saw th

rning,"

tle. The voice he used

myself

orning,

were casual. Relaxed. He had

t I had watched hi

f me. He reached out

I wanted to pull awa

I di

till. I ke

asked. "Your birthday is c

. "Very

planning everything. She wan

rse sh

it will be

ter and poured himself a cup of coffee. He

first life, I had g

t this

f his coffee. "I was thinking

an eyeb

s for your party, but she doesn't

exact

I would have told him to go. I would ha

abella. The one who tru

ella was

caring for my s

ed like poison

Of course. S

mi

ost l

sure she gets her favorite

. "You're so thou

ed. "I

walked toward me. He lean

lin

rely noticeable.

ack. His br

ppened?"

ned. But his eyes we

o relax. I forced

"I just... I have a

w rose. "A

birthday. I want

for a moment.

urprises,

ew h

ow,"

time, I didn't flinch. I

arm. But they f

you later,

keys and walk

I didn't move.

losed, I let ou

s were

counter. I c

xactly t

siding with Sophia. Ev

he was trying to show his love for me through m

I saw th

Every word.

ll a per

e. He loved what

w him for wha

lking around

es. I looked o

sing. The city

fourte

se every sing

kitchen. I walked

I had watched my father hide it a hundred times

. The key was there.

e door and st

and leather. My father's scent. I

d them, I fe

ed sitting on his lap while he worked. I remembered him teaching

u know, Isabella. But you

't lis

now and I will

afe. I entered the code. My father

document. Before I

ehind me. I quickly

abe

urn

other. Her hair was perfect. Her cloth

the coldness behind her eyes. I

ing, Mothe

calm. My fa

up early. I thought y

t didn't re

lot to d

her head. "

was not important, praying silent

pers," I said. "N

flickered to the doc

ur father's

oking through his t

softened. "We

row the document in her face. I wa

I di

nodded. I pl

said. "Sophia wants to g

r. Thanking God that sh

f course. You should spen

sis

tasted li

ll,"

n't look back. But she f

work

saw Sophia in

gh her phone. Her hair was perfect. Her makeu

I was thinking we could go to that new bou

fect. But I thought y

xcited for your party. So I told him that we woul

"I'm sure

have work to

hrough mine. Her tou

aid. "You're my sister.

r eyes were bright.

a good

s be

hia," I said. "

be

out the do

e around us. People were laughing. Cars were h

a beaut

new the

ays, this wou

fourte

se every sing

ent a text