Chapter 6
I dreamed of my past life again–Zaiden had once been this angry at me before.
Back when Sonia fell from the building and I was taken in for questioning.
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That was the first time he hit me.
A loud slap.
“How could you do something like this…
“I’m so disappointed in you.
“I wish I’d never adopted you.
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His voice was calm, but his eyes were brimming with overwhelming
sorrow.
He paid Sonia’s mom a huge sum.
Later, he shut down his company and donated everything to charity–as if trying to atone.
Then he took me back to my hometown, Fairbanks.
I really did ruin his life.
Without me, he could’ve had a brilliant future.
No matter what the world thought, to Zaiden, it was the girl he brought home who killed the one he loved.
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Chapter 6
There was no going back after that.
I woke up gasping.
Familiar ceiling. My room.
Zaiden was sitting by the bed, looking worn out, with dark shadows under his eyes.
When he saw me wake up, a soft light flickered in his eyes.
Then he pulled me into a tight hug.
It turned out, Sonia woke up before I did.
She told him everything.
I was knocked out trying to protect her.
The gang took photos of her, then ran.
Zaiden held me, his whole body trembling.
He kept apologizing, over and over.
“I’m sorry, Arielle. I’m so sorry.
“I wrongly accused you.
“I didn’t protect you. I should be the one getting hit…”
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His shaking was intense. I could feel his warmth through my clothes. It made my eyes sting.
All the bottled–up pain came rushing out.
I cried into his shirt, my tears and snot soaking the fabric.
Chapter 6
“Zaiden! It’s all my fault!
“If I hadn’t been such a mess before, you would’ve trusted me!
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“I was wrong. I won’t bother you anymore; I won’t make things hard for
you.
“I’ll only be your stepdaughter from now on. I’ll be good; I’ll take care of you. We’ll always be family!”
I felt him freeze for a second.
Then he gently patted my back.
ان الله الله الر
We stayed like that for a long, long time.
As if all the distance between us had finally melted away.
“I’m going out to buy your favorite strawberry cake to make it up to you.
“When I get back, there’s something important I want to tell you.”
I nodded, quietly watching him leave. Somehow, he seemed different- like he’d finally made up his mind about something.
But I waited and waited. And he didn’t come back.
Instead, I got a message from Sonia.
“Arielle, please… come to the hotel rooftop. You have to come alone. Please, I’m begging you…”
