Third Person's POV

Entering their humble home, Alina was nothing but happy after hearing the news that her father was already out of prison. Her heart was booming and she could feel how excited she was because of her heart rate.

As she saw Robert inside their residence, her eyes gleamed with tears and she immediately hugged him tightly.

"Dad!" She wailed with tears.

There were no words that could describe how happy Alina was but just a single action from her father and her smile dropped.

Robert pushed her away after hissing. "Stop your drama!" He exclaimed. "Irritating," he, then, murmured which Alina still heard.

It felt like her heart dropped and she was stoned on her feet after experiencing the coldness in her father's voice and stares. She did not expect that even after years, he still hated her for reasons she did not know.

What her father acted rendered her speechless. She wondered if he truly did not love her at all. In her mind, she was already so hurt and overthinking that Robert hated her.

"Just change your clothes already and cook something! I'm already starving," Robert commanded and slumped on the couch.

Since Cecilia was not home and was still out because of her part-time job. No one was there to cook for them. Evelyn also was no longer capable of cooking while James was still at the hospital, doing his job. Alina knew all that so she nodded her head and quickly went to her room even though her knees were still weak.

She wanted to cry so bad because of how her father treated her but Alina still tried to compose herself. When she looked at the mirror, she saw how hurt was reflected in her eyes but she smiled after inhaling sharply, just so she could hide what she was truly feeling.

Still, her tears betrayed her because seeing herself trying to look fine pained her to the core.

For years, she waited for her father to get out of prison, just so they could finally be together, but she did not expect that the day would be like that. Not even a single ounce of love towards her was felt.

With all those thoughts in mind, Aline wiped her traitor of tears and heaved a deep breath.

"Maybe Dad is still trying to adjust," she whispered to herself.

Although she consoled herself that way, she could still not help but hope that someday, Robert would love her as his daughter. She hoped that the day she would be showered by her father's love would come.

Weeks had already passed and the quiz competition was already near. Since it was held yearly, the university would only choose two lucky representatives—representatives who were intelligent enough to show the whole competition that their university was one of a kind.

"Before anything else, I would like to announce the upcoming quiz bee contest. The university had already chosen the participants of our school, one would be Ms. Vida Miller," the professor announced Vida's name and that made everyone in the class clap to celebrate her getting chosen.

Vida already expected that she would be called. That made her smile slightly but deep inside, she felt like it was already a victory. It was also a way to get her parent's attention.

Every year, she would always get chosen by the university so she really did expect her name to be called. Deep inside, even without showing everybody, she loved to be at the top. She loved the attention, she loved the peak where she was standing.

That day, she would impress her parents, and it was also a way to at least have her parents give her some time.

She was already thinking of how she was going to tell them about it when the professor spoke once again.

"The next one is Ms. Alina Wilson, congratulations to the two of you!"

Her mouth parted a bit and she could not believe what she just heard. Her eyebrows furrowed and she was really surprised that the poor girl's name was called! She did not expect it all.

Realizing that the university also trusted that girl's intelligence, flamed up her heart against Alina. She knew that Alina would be one of her rivals.

"Good luck to the two of you. Do your best, okay? The whole West Grove is behind your back. Having the top two will drive our university to greater heights, you will be defending our very own West Grove!" The professor once again spoke which made everyone really excited.

Their university had been in first place for consecutive years and both Vida and Alina had to carry its weight. They had no time to slack off because that would mean they would be the first as well for years to break off the record—only if they failed.

With a proud smile, Vida spoke in the middle.

"Don't worry, Ma'am, we will surely get first place like the previous years," she assured the professor who nodded her head.

Everyone had pride because it was Vida who would be competing once again, they were sure that she would not let their university down.

On Vida's side, everyone was greeting her with the pressure that she would carry the reputation of the school with her. However, on Alina's side, the students of their class also went to talk to her.

"Hey, congratulations," one of her classmates said, which made Alina smile.

The same thing was heard by the other students as well.

"Thank you, really. I will do my best," she promised while smiling.

It was not near impossible that no one would try to talk to her after some time. It was because, despite her background, Alina was a great person. She was kind to everyone and she did not hurt anyone back.

After a moment that was when Vida walked in her direction. It was the time that Vida asked her to be a partner. That action was as if indicating that they would have a truce for the sake of the competition.

After that class, she went out of the room to spend her lunchtime at the cafeteria. Nothing could spoil Alina's mood that day that she was even humming while entering the place.

While looking around and hoping that she would find a good spot, someone walked near her.

"Hey," Lucas called her attention. Alina gazed on his side and her eyes remained at him for a while.

"I heard you are chosen to represent the school," the young man mumbled, his eyes indicating something which she did not get at first.

Seeing that, Lucas held his nape shyly.

"Can we have lunch together? Just to celebrate it," he told her with a thin smile. She could also see how his eyes reddened.

Hiding her smile, Alina nodded slowly. "Sure."

Her consent made Lucas's smile grow wider.

"Really, then can I treat you to lunch? Just a way to congratulate you, it's fine, right? Please."

Deep inside Alina did not want to agree because she thought that he would only spend his money on nonsense but seeing the hope glimmering in her eyes, she nodded her head once again. That simple action made him happy.

With all those in her mind, the moment the school ended, she was walking out of the gate with a smile that could not be erased.

She could not deny her happiness at all. First, she was chosen in a competition, and second, she celebrated it with a kind friend. That day was really good for her.

Outside the school, she saw the image of her uncle James waiting for her.

James stood there and waited for Alina to come out. His eyes already saw her coming near and just when he thought it was all that, he saw a glimpse of Emily—a woman linked in the messy past.

Just a sight of the woman made him still to where he was standing. Emily hugged another student from the university. That was when she realized who the student was.

Even though Emily did not see him at all, James could not calm himself at all. His sweats were cold and she could feel how his body weakened. Seeing them reminded him of what he did in the past. Something that had been haunting him even in his nightmares.

When the woman was already out of his sight together with the student she fetched, James eyed Alina who had been calling him but he was so out of it.

"Are you fine, Uncle? You're pale!"

"Who... who was that?" he asked instead of answering her.

Confused, Alina's eyebrows creased but she still answered.

"You mean the student that was fetched by her mother? It was Vida Miller, a student from my class."

What Alina said made him almost collapse to where he was standing but Alina was able to catch his arm just in time.

He held the shirt near his heart tightly as he clenched his jaw. James felt how his heart almost dropped after hearing that. It was racing deep inside his ribcage and he was feeling something he could not explain at all.

At that very moment, in front of the university, all that he did in the past came rushing to his mind. From the point that he agreed to Roberts's plans, to the point where he exchanged the babies thinking that it was to appease his brother's vengeful heart.

Third Person's POV

Ever since James saw Emily and the real daughter of his brother, Robert, at Alina's university, it had not left his mind—not even once.

His conscience had been knocking on his head, the voices telling him how he pushed away his morals for the sake of his brother's revenge kept on bothering him.

He was aware, deep inside, of how evil he became because of it. Nothing about what he did was right and he knew that nothing could excuse that crime. From that day until the present, he was still haunted by that mistake.

Just remembering Emily Miller's face, not even aware of the messy thing that happened years back, made him feel really guilty. There was no one whom they would blame once they found out the truth because it was him who separated the children from their real parents.

James was aware of how unforgivable his wrongdoings were. It affected the fates of people, it affected their emotions, it affected their lives and for sure they would never pardon him.

"I'm so sorry," he mumbled to himself while lying on his bed, eyes closed his arm above his eyes.

If only he could turn back to the hands of the clock, and if only he could correct his mistakes. But James was aware that Robert would never let him do anything that would ruin his plans.

Those thoughts eventually made him clutch the clothes above his chest. No matter how much he desired to straighten the bent, he knew it would now be hard. That made him feel like his heart was about to burst into so much regret and pain.

With all those regrets and pain, he stood up from the bed and sat on his working area just beside his bed and got a pen and paper.

He knew he had to let out what he was feeling deep inside. The worst thing about not having anyone was the fact that he could not vent out what he was feeling. He could never just say anything to anyone because of the gravity of what he knew about the past.

In front of the notebook, he started writing what had been weighing on his mind. It was a diary—a diary where he confessed everything.

If there was one thing that I was regretting the most in life it would be what happened in the nursery room at the hospital where I was working seventeen years ago. If I could turn back time and I could wish for the Almighty High, I would ask the Universe to give me a chance to undo all the things I did.

I wished I was never a fool, I wished I was not selfish, I wished I never listened to my demons. That night, I exchanged the baby of the Millers and the baby of my brother, Robert. Alina who was with us was the true Miller.

The diary went on, he let out all his emotions, his thoughts, and all the hidden truths.

In the very last part of the first entry, he ended with his name and signature. Deep inside, as he closed the diary, he hoped that whoever got a hold of that, the person would find out the truth. If one day fate would allow, the truth would be unveiled. Yet he knew that as long as it remained hidden, it would also mean that the secret would stay between him, his brother, and the diary.

Inside the residence of the Millers, Vida was sighing continuously while reading all the notes and books on her desk. As the competition went nearer, the more she spent her time reviewing. She did not care, not even once about her physical health, all she needed was to make sure that her intellect would be sharpened.

The deep-rooted reason for her actions was that she was thirsty and very hungry for the attention and love from her parents. She could tolerate her body almost giving up on her just so she could make sure that they would be proud of her.

No one would ever understand that much drive to study, but for Vida, it was already a chance to make her parent's time worthwhile as they watched her compete.

"Damn it," she groaned when another night had come and her answer to her reviewer was just near perfect. Vida was aiming to get all the answers right.

From frustrations, anger toward herself, and tears of fear that she would mess up to the smile of pride that finally, she was confident that she would do good. She attained all that by not giving up until she got all the scores perfect.

On the other hand, Alina, who was also a participant in the competition, was worried about something else. It had been days since she tried to go to different hiring businesses just so she could find a part-time job to support the needs of her family.

Although she had a scholarship, it was still not enough for all her expenses in studies, especially since she also promised she would help at home with all the things their family needed to pay for. There were many things that needed money to cover and Alina was too shy to ask her parents about them. The last thing she wanted to be was to be a burden.

Sighing, she ate the food in front of her. She was at the school cafeteria with Lucas once again. She was used to eating together with him ever since.

"Why do you look so down again? Someone bullied you again?" the young man asked worriedly.

With a small smile in her voice, Alina shook her head. "No... I'm just worried that it will take time before I can find a part-time job. I really need one, Lucas," she told him honestly with a sad smile.

Hearing that, the young man's eyes lit up as if he suddenly remembered something.

"Oh! I just remembered that we are still hiring part-time workers at our coffee shop. Do you want me to vouch for you?" he suggested.

Alina's eyes widened and without hesitation, she nodded her head with glee. "Goodness, sure! I really need money right now so... thank you for suggesting that, Lucas."

Right after that day, Alina noticed how she and Lucas became even closer. Not only once did he fight for her when there were bullies trying to ridicule her for being of lower status, but he helped her stand up against them countless times already.

"You don't have to be mean because of her status in life! Such discrimination is not tolerated inside the university, girls. Do you want the prefect of discipline to know about this?" She remembered him once lecturing the girls.

That was the time she realized it was nice having someone who would defend her in the times she badly needed it and Alina was so grateful to have Lucas around her. It was as if he became a knight and shining armor—someone who protected her and guided her.

Her life at the university became easier because of Lucas, however, at home, Alina had been very saddened because of how her father was treating him.

"Dad, I'm participating in a competition at school—"

"I'm tired now, Alina. Don't bother me." Her father brushed her off.

As time passed by, the more she realized how her father did not care about her at all. It was as if he had no intention of building a relationship with her.

Her heart was so bruised because of her father's actions and Alina could not name how pained she was. The pillows inside her room witnessed how much she shed tears.

Oftentimes, Robert talked to her with a hint of anger in his voice. He would always raise his tone and he was always annoyed whenever he was talking to her. Yet when he needed something and he needed her to do some errands, that was the only time his voice was softer than normal.

Fixing her bag while on her way to the gate, she was about to go home when she saw a familiar figure meters from her. To her shock, it was none other than her father!

Robert approached her while Alina was still stoned on her feet, it was as if she could not believe what she was seeing.

"D-Dad... why are you here?" she asked Robert.

"To fetch you, what else?"

Even though there was a hint of irritation in his voice, Alina was still very happy that he took the initiative to do that. It was as if he was doing fatherly duties toward her. It was the very first time that her father came to her university to fetch her!

Seeing him do that felt like he was slowly caring for her.

Little did Alina know, Robert's eyes were actually directed to the young woman behind Alina, it was Vida.

Robert's lips arched upon seeing his daughter grow such a fine and beautiful lady. He felt so fulfilled just seeing her having a wonderful life.

There was delight laced in his heart just by seeing Vida from afar.

The truth was, the reason why he came to the university was that James told him that he saw Emily fetch Vida, his daughter, at the same university where Alina was studying. For that very same reason, he immediately went there hoping he could take a glimpse of them.

He could not even remove his eyes to Vida, but his attention was caught when suddenly, a fancy car parked near where he was standing and what shook him to the core was seeing Emily go out of the car, smiling towards the daughter she thought was her real child.

As Emily's eyes roamed around, the woman found Robert's eyes amid that and she could not hide the shock in her orbs.

"Robert," she murmured his name.

Vida and Alina who heard Emily Miller call the name of Alina's father were baffled by the situation. None of them was aware that Emily knew about Robert.

"It's nice to see you again, Emily," Robert muttered and there was a hint of amusement in his eyes while staring at the woman in front of him.

Realizing that, instead of staying there, Emily called Vida. "Get inside the car, Vida," she told her daughter.

That time around, Emily's attention went to the man near her again. "Nice to meet you again, Robert. We have to go," she said and turned her back to them.

Watching them go made Robert almost delusional again about where he was standing. His thoughts became deeper and in his mind, he was so delighted that he was able to take a glimpse of his first love's face once again after years.

'Just wait Emily... I'll get you back to where you truly belong together with my real daughter,' he vowed in his head.

He promised himself deep inside that he would definitely snatch them away from Oliver Miller, the one who got everything from him.

All those thoughts drove him to desire more. He was delusional and it was as if Robert was still caged to the past. He was trapped in his own thoughts, and in his own craziness.