e Alina in front of the flower shop. The lig

ing here?" Lorra

d to visit Kelvin."

's that got to do

led faintly and walked toward the door. "Just wait he

otted her boss arrangin

at are you

me," she said awkwardly,

e to grab a few th

bouquet I made ea

wreaths?" he a

ded. "Yeah

her for a moment. "Is ev

ly, walking over to collect

op, stepping out to meet Lorraine

ped out when she saw the bo

ell..." she started, then

b, and within minutes, they

e, clutching the flowers

riously giving that to Kelvin, are you?

eyes twinkling wi

mething about Alina felt off. Her sm

freakin

r, then turned toward the mansion b

quietly, only to hear famili

ed. "Doing all that extra just to keep a ma

e making breakfast at 5 a.m. j

. "She really thought

d the corner, walking in like a bree

e greeted

ised, and Kelvin stiffe

rked. "Came

Or is this your weird way o

uquet behind her. "Actually,

nged confus

alking closer. "For helping me

rrowed his

quet and handed it to Ke

hip with Jennifer," she said sweetl

tightened. "

e widening. "No, honey. I'm not." Then

om went

speak, but Alina held up a f

then turned and walked out the d

ng a trembling hand on her chest. H

do that?" she whis

" Lorraine aske

now," Alina said with a b

wide. "Damn... I'm not used to th

then jogged to catc

**

o look at Alina. Just as she opened h

s for letting me stay with you," Alin

g up disappeared. She stripped off her cl

en the cold water hit her body. She ran her hands

of yesterday began to flo

sses, the cuddles, the fun nights... Was it all just

d her lips. Her tears mixed with the water as he

ugging her knees as her shoulders

**

pounded, lights flashed, and the air smelled of alcohol and perfum

the room casually-unt

e f

, and her younger stepsister, her fingers curled possessively

e break-up. That much was clear from the way her sister'

fted it slowly, forcing a smile she didn't feel. Before

g a storm after Kelvin dum

eyebrow, then s

Kelvin, who had bal

She turned to Jennifer, narrowing her eyes. "You can have him

dn't let her finish. She took a sip fr

she said, her tone sweet. "I

ink I'll buy that? You can't move on from Ke

ching. Jennifer was right. She had always loved Kelvin, had never fully been abl

ngaged. I've been seeing someone too..." she said, but the

n Blackwood," she added be

her, each face displaying shock. The music abruptly stopped, and

she quickly nudged her. "Hey

nce. "You're such a joke, dear sist

and commanding. "Why don't

d a beat, and she swa

.. I

hant started to ri

lie," Jennifer sneered, walking toward Al

reach, shoving her back. Alina stumbled and fell, her palm and knees scraping t

" she repeated, h

hould I? You can't even prove what you said

er back with a force that made her stumble again. This time, sh

arms round her waist, keeping her from falling; Silver eyes, a sharp jawline

miled, "Did I keep y