"What's with that face, Dylan? You look miserable."

Dylan frowned even more when he heard his cousin's comment. Iverson dropped onto the seat beside him and handed him a glass of wine. Dylan shook his head slightly, like he wasn't fully there, before taking it.

"What do you want?" he asked, taking a slow sip.

Iverson let out a quiet laugh. "Do I need a reason just to sit with you? Wow. You really know how to make someone feel welcome," he said, shaking his head.

Dylan scoffed. "Then why are you here?"

"Danielle and Maurice told me to check on you. They said you looked like you needed someone to talk to."

Dylan shook his head again. Those two. "Do I really look like I need someone to talk to?" he asked, letting out a bitter laugh.

"You've been sitting there alone all night. You've looked stressed for hours," Iverson said with a yawn. "What is it? Work? That case? The one involving Senator Clemente?" He waved it off. "I already know. Even my dad's stressed because of that. He barely sleeps anymore. Mom yelled at him last night. Honestly? He really deserved some scolding from Mom."

"It's not work," Dylan said quietly. "It's not about that."

And it wasn't. Work was the one thing going right in his life. He was doing well. He's one step away from a promotion. Everything should've felt steady.

"Oh." Iverson turned to look at him properly. "Then that means it's a woman."

He wasn't even asking. He sounded completely sure.

Dylan sighed deeply, the weight in his chest pressing harder. They were so close to finally putting Senator Clemente behind bars. And he had promised Brielle they'd get married once it was over.

"What about Brielle?" Iverson asked. "Did you two fight again?"

Dylan slowly shook his head. "Surprisingly, no. She's been... fine these past few days. She hasn't been getting mad at me over my job."

"Oh." Iverson raised an eyebrow. "Then what's the problem? You should be happy. Your girlfriend's not throwing tantrums for once."

Dylan stayed quiet.

That was part of it, wasn't it? He should be relieved. Grateful, even. But instead, something felt off. Like something was wrong and he just couldn't name it.

"I promised her we'd get married after the case is done," he finally said.

Iverson blinked. "What? But didn't you say you weren't planning on getting married this year?"

Dylan inhaled sharply. "I wasn't. But she wants to. And we've been together for a long time. Maybe my mom's right... maybe it's time."

The truth was, he wasn't ready. Not even close. There were still so many things he wanted to do, things he wanted to become. Sometimes he felt like he and Brielle didn't even fully know each other yet. But he didn't want to lose her. She had already gotten angry so many times because he kept postponing marriage. If he refused again, this time she might really walk away.

"Why does it sound like you're forcing yourself?" Iverson asked.

Dylan sighed and took another drink. "It's not forcing. I'm just... not ready."

"But didn't you tell us before that Brielle doesn't want you to be a cop?" Iverson pressed. "What about that?"

Dylan nodded, his jaw tightening as he drank again. "That's part of the problem. She wants me to quit and take over Inara from Maurice. You know she's not on good terms with our cousins, right? And seriously.. What does she think of my profession? I'm doing well where I am. I don't want to take the business just because I earn less. And I'm not even interested in that life... but she keeps insisting I should just give up my job."

Iverson fell silent.

Dylan drained the rest of his glass.

"If you're really planning to marry her, and that's how she sees your career," Iverson said slowly, "then you need to think about this carefully." He looked straight at Dylan. "You should be with someone who helps you reach your dreams. You don't have to stay with someone who doesn't respect them. Love isn't just about being happy all the time. Look at our parents. Look at the kind of love they have." He paused. "Do you honestly think that's what you and Brielle have?"

Dylan rubbed his temples, frustration pounding in his head. Of course he wanted someone who understood him. Deep down, he knew Brielle didn't.

But he loved her. More than anyone.

Was he really willing to lose her over his ambitions?

He let out a long breath and stood up. "I still have time to think," he said. "I'll deal with it after the case is over."

"You need to choose wisely," Iverson called after him. "Brielle isn't the only person who could love you. What if there's someone else? Someone who understands why your job matters to you?"

Dylan didn't answer. He just exhaled sharply and walked away, ignoring the cousins who greeted him on his way to his room. He was too exhausted to pretend he was okay.

Before going to sleep, he checked his phone. No message from Brielle. Just like before.

He shook his head. Maybe she was busy.

The next morning, he woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing nonstop. Confused by the flood of messages and missed calls, he started reading them one by one.

And in an instant, his world stopped.

It felt like ice water had been poured over him. His lips trembled as he read through the messages. Some were furious at Brielle, some were trying to comfort him. There were too many to process, too many words, all colliding at once. His mind refused to catch up.

They were telling him the same thing.

A piece of news that shattered everything he thought he knew.

His girlfriend, Brielle Clarkson, was set to marry someone else.

And it wasn't him.

"Are you really standing by your decision not to visit your father, Kaia?"

My thoughts shattered when my bedroom door flew open. My aunt stormed in, slamming it behind her. I straightened in my seat and took a slow breath before looking at her. "What?"

"Don't play dumb with me," she snapped. "Do you think I wouldn't find out that you went to the police station but didn't even bother seeing your father? What were you there for, huh? To talk to the cops? To talk to the prosecutor handling his case? Is that what you did?"

Her voice echoed through the room. I looked away.

I stayed silent. I didn't tell her that, yes, I talked to those people. She didn't need to know. And besides, I didn't gain anything from going there anyway. Except for one thing-

"Why, Kaia?" she demanded, stepping closer. "Did you sell your father out to the police? Did you talk? Was this all your doing?"

Just like before, I said nothing. I avoided her gaze, a quiet refusal to answer. She let out a sharp breath, and before I could react, she yanked my hair in anger. I gasped.

I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing myself to stay calm. I couldn't let her see that I was angry too-no matter how badly I wanted to pull her hair right back. None of this would've happened if she hadn't tolerated my father's sins. If she had stopped him back then, if she had gone against him even once, maybe everything wouldn't have come to this.

"I'm asking you a question," she hissed. "Did you report your father to the police? Was this your way of rebelling? Because if it is, then just fucking stop-"

"I didn't report him," I said calmly, finally meeting her eyes. Her grip was still tight in my hair. "Trust me. I didn't. I told you a long time ago that this day would come and that he'd eventually get caught. And now he has. That's not my fault."

I tried to pull away, but she only glared at me harder. Her bloodshot eyes locked onto mine as if trying to intimidate me. I let out a long breath.

I wasn't a child anymore. I wasn't the same girl who used to tremble at their glares, their insults, their cruelty. I wasn't that obedient, soft Kaia anymore.

They changed me. Why were they so surprised?

"If I find out you said anything against your father while you were there," she warned, "I swear I'll throw you out of this house-"

"I asked the police how long he's going to be locked up," I cut in casually, shrugging. "I needed to know how long I'll be free. Because the moment he gets out, I know I'll be the first person he'll come after for not helping him."

She slapped me.

The sound cracked through the room. My head snapped to the side, my cheek burning. I scoffed. "Why did you slap me?"

"You really think your dad is going to prison?" she shouted. I laughed.

"Obviously he is," I said flatly. "Just accept it. Defending him is a waste of time because he did all of it. And if I help him, people might think I'm an accomplice. I'm not a thief-"

"As if you didn't benefit from his crimes!" she screamed, yanking my hair harder. "Do you think you'd be sleeping in this bed if it weren't for what he did?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "I never asked for any of this. I never told him to steal from the public. I'm a Political Science major. What he did disgusts me. I'm ashamed of him-"

Her palm hit my cheek again.

"He didn't raise you to be like this!"

I laughed loudly and faced her head-on. "You're wrong. This is exactly how he raised me. He raised a monster. He raised his own nightmare. That's his fault for not leaving me with my mother!"

I shoved her hand away with force. She stumbled back, releasing my hair.

I stood up slowly, a smirk forming on my lips. I met her stare without fear... the same stare that used to terrify me when I was younger. Back then, one look from her felt like a death sentence.

But not anymore.

My father once called me a monster while I watched the police take him away. And maybe he was right. I was the monster they raised, and for that, I should thank them.

"I stayed quiet when he brought other women into this house while he was still married to my mom," I said coldly, stepping closer. She instinctively backed away. "I stayed quiet when I caught him dealing drugs with fellow politicians. I stayed quiet every time he hit me when he was drunk or angry from work."

I smiled when I saw fear flicker across her face.

"But do you remember how I begged you?" I continued. "I begged both of you to let me go to my mom's wake. Just that. Just to see her one last time. You didn't let me because you said people might think she died from stress because of him. So even in death, I wasn't allowed to see my own mother."

My voice shook, but I didn't stop.

"I stayed obedient after that. Silent. Until I found out he cut off the allowance for my grandmother back in the province. That's when I couldn't take it anymore."

"The doctor said it was a waste of money to keep supporting her," my aunt scoffed.

"So what?!" I shouted, clenching my fists. "So what if it's a waste? He stole that money from people anyway! Why couldn't he at least help my grandmother? Where was he even planning to use that money?"

She didn't answer.

"I'm done cleaning up his mess," I said through gritted teeth. "If you want to help him, then go ahead. Convince everyone he's innocent even though you know the truth. He's guilty. Of everything. And I will never defend him. I'm tired of obeying him. I'm tired of obeying you. Let me live however I want."

I turned my back on her.

"Step outside this house and you'll never be allowed back in," she threatened.

I laughed.

I turned around and smiled sweetly. "This house is mine. All the documents are under my name. And since he's in prison, nothing changes. What's mine... stays mine."

Money had always ruled them. They raised me themselves so what did they expect? Of course I'd turn out just like them. I'd take what was rightfully mine.

I grabbed my coat and purse, then glanced back at my aunt. She watched my every move, her hatred palpable even from behind. But I wasn't afraid anymore.

I smiled at her... fake and sweet. "Send my regards to my father. And tell him I'd rather die than visit him or defend him. I'm going to live my life without him. Happily."

"You're a demon," she screamed.

I shrugged lightly, still smiling. "Runs in the family, right?"

I walked out of the house with my head held high. I felt no remorse. I didn't know how I'd survive on my own but I didn't care.

As long as I was far away from them.

"Beasts like me," I whispered to myself, "we are meant to live alone."

"Do you really think acting like a brat is going to help you survive, Kaia?"

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard Aziel's voice on the other end of the call. I rolled my eyes in pure disappointment.

"Didn't you hear what I said earlier?" I snapped. "It wasn't entirely my fault. The way I reacted was on her. I didn't start anything. I was minding my own business in my room when she suddenly came at me."

I brushed my hair back irritably as I stared at the road. Of all the things I could've left behind, I forgot my car keys. There was no way I was going back inside-not when my aunt was probably still fuming. I'd get them later, once she cooled down and stopped acting like the house wasn't mine.

"So what now?" Aziel said. "Kaia, I'm in a mess right now. I want to help you, but I can't. I'm stuck here. My dad won't let me leave. I messed up pretty bad, and this is his way of punishing me-"

"Dude, what are you, sixteen?" I laughed. I took a deep breath and scanned the empty street. "Just tell me straight-are you picking me up or not? I'm getting eaten alive by mosquitoes."

I heard him sigh heavily. I already knew how this would go. He'd come get me. He always did. And if he didn't-friendship over.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I can't, Kaia."

My jaw dropped. "What?!" I shouted, earning a few looks from people passing by. I forced myself to calm down. "What did you say? You can't pick me up? Why?"

He sighed again, and my frown deepened. This was a first. In all the years we'd been friends, this was the first time he'd ever turned me down.

"Wait..." I trailed off, one brow lifting. "Do you have a girl now?"

He didn't answer right away.

My mouth fell open even wider. I dramatically covered my lips. "Oh my God. Aziel. Is that why your dad's punishing you? Did you-oh my God-did you get someone pregnant?"

"I know how to use protection," he shot back.

"Then what?" I pressed. "You're not a kid anymore. Your dad wouldn't freak out just because you brought a girl home. Come on. You're just using him as an excuse so I won't stay there. What's really going on? I'll only stay a few days, then I'll go back to my house."

Just then, a car sped past me-way too fast. I almost lost my balance, and my irritation skyrocketed. Seriously? Didn't they know this was a residential area, not a highway?

"What happened?" Aziel asked.

"Some idiot nearly ran me over," I muttered. "I was already on the side of the road. I swear, it's like they wanted to hit me." I glanced at the car driving away. "Shame he missed. Think he'll try again?"

Aziel hissed at my joke. I shrugged and looked away. The car stopped not too far from where I stood, but I didn't bother checking who was driving. I didn't care. Honestly, a part of me was more annoyed that I was still standing.

"So?" I asked. "Is it really a no?"

He didn't answer, but his sigh said everything.

"Fine," I said. "I'll just book a hotel-"

"No need," he cut in.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh?"

"My cousin owns a bar near your place-the new one. He has a spare room there. You can stay for now. It'll be easier for me to get to you."

I frowned, then let out a short laugh. "A bar? You're really going to make me sleep in a bar?"

"It's not just some bar," he said calmly. "My cousin's loaded. You'll be safe. He's still in France, but I'll tell him you're staying there."

I crossed my arms. "Are you sure I won't wake up with some random guy in my room?"

"It's safe, Kaia."

I sighed and adjusted my stance. "Fine. When are you coming over? I really need someone to talk to."

I wasn't actually sad. Why would I be? The person I hated most had been out of my life for years now. If anything, I felt relieved. But I couldn't exactly go around telling people I was happy my father was in jail. They'd think-like my aunt did-that I was the one who turned him in.

"I'll come once I sort things out here," Aziel said. "Hang in there. You can party if you want. I'll tell my cousin's staff to keep an eye on you."

A grin spread across my face. "That's what I'm talking about. See? This is why you're my best friend. Just don't forget-"

"I'll come," he interrupted. "I just need to deal with this woman first."

My brow lifted. "Woman? What woman?"

He sighed, like he was debating whether to tell me. "Come on, Aziel. Don't act like we're not close. I won't tell anyone."

"Fine," he gave in. "I met this girl about a month ago. She came up to me at a bar. She flirted, she was pretty... one thing led to another-"

"Okay, stop," I cut him off. "Spare me the details. What's the problem?"

I wasn't naïve. I knew exactly what he meant.

"I just found out she already has a boyfriend," he said.

I nearly fell over.

"Damn," I muttered. "Were you even thinking?!"

He sighed again. Good. He should be frustrated.

"I know you hate cheaters, but-"

"But what?" I snapped. "You stayed with her even though she was taken? Aziel, I didn't know you were this stupid."

A motorcycle passed by, the driver staring at me like I was insane. I shot him a look and focused back on the call.

"For the love of God, break it off with her," I said firmly. "I can't believe this. You know how much I hate cheating, and you still-"

"Wait," he cut in. "I didn't know at first. If I had, I would've ended it immediately. You know I'm not that dumb."

I exhaled in relief. "Thank God. End it now-before her boyfriend finds out. Or better yet, tell him. He doesn't deserve that."

He went quiet.

"...Did I say something wrong?" I asked slowly.

"I'll explain everything once I fix this," he said. "For now, stay at my cousin's bar. I'll come see you soon."

I sighed. I knew there was more to the story, but I didn't push.

"Call me once everything's settled," I said. "I'll walk around for a bit, then grab a cab."

"I really want to be there but-"

"It's fine," I cut him off. "Handle your stuff first. We'll talk later."

I needed someone to talk to, sure-but I wasn't about to force him. We both had our own messes to deal with.

"I'll make it up to you," he said softly.

I laughed. "Buy me drinks. Okay, bye. Call me later."

The smile on my face vanished when I noticed three familiar figures walking toward me.

I ended the call without realizing it.

They were the ones in the car earlier-the ones who almost hit me.

Their car was parked nearby now. They'd rung the doorbell of the house across the street, but no one answered.

"Hey. You," a woman shouted.

I swallowed and glanced behind me-just to make sure.

No one else was there.

I knew her. Too well. And I recognized the two people with her, too. Famous. Powerful.

"Me?" I asked.

She scoffed and stormed toward me, her companions trying-and failing-to stop her. I raised an eyebrow as she practically ran toward me in sky-high heels, walking like she was in flats.

Unbelievable.

"You really thought we'd let this go?" she snapped. "How thick-faced can you be? Where do you even get the audacity?"

I straightened and met her glare. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about-"

"You!" she screamed, reaching for my hair.

I dodged her hand instantly. "You shameless girl," she shouted. "Why did you cheat on my cousin?!"

My mouth fell open.

I pointed at myself. "How could I cheat on your cousin when he's not even my boyfriend?"

She froze.

Her eyes widened as realization dawned.

"Y-You're not Dylan's girlfriend?"