I sensed the eyes on me; other students were already looking at us.
“The Emi we used to know was deeply principled, but she was also very friendly. She wasn’t cold and…mean.”
I paused, unsure of how to reply. “People change, Josh. People change.”
He let out a quiet sigh. “Whatever you’re going through, I hope you figure it out.” And with that, he walked away from me.
I clenched my jaw, hating this bitter, lonely version of myself. I was becoming a terrible person, cold and mean. And there was only one person who fit that description.
Adrik Tarasov.
I’d left him. I’d left his mansion and his world behind. Yet I still carried a piece of him with me everywhere I went. The main reason I’d left was that I was becoming a woman I couldn’t recognize. I’d thought maybe leaving would change things back to the way they used to be.
But so far, nothing had changed. Instead, it seemed to be getting worse.
As I stepped out into the parking lot, I spotted a black SUV parked across from me. My heart skipped a beat as a tall man in a black suit stepped out. At first, I could’ve sworn it was Adrik, and I was already weak in the knees.
My pulse was racing, and my breath hitched in my throat. Did he come to get me? What was he doing here?
I wasn’t sure how to feel about his presence. Scared, mad, anxious, or happy? I stood there frozen, my books held against my chest as my heart pounded in anticipation.
However, when he turned around, my expression darkened with disappointment. It wasn’t him. It was some random guy who looked like him from behind.
I cursed myself for falling for that, for hoping it was him. Leaving his mansion had been my decision, and I should learn to live with it.
I got into my car and drove straight to the hospital. When I got there, the nurse told me my mom was out in the garden with a few other patients.
She was getting better by the day, and that alone was all that mattered to me. According to the doctor, if she kept up this progress, she’d be discharged in no time.
I spotted her sitting on a bench under the oak tree’s canopy. She wasn’t alone. A man was keeping her company, another patient named Greg. This wasn’t the first time those two had spent hours together.
She told me he was just a friend. But the smile on her face whenever he was around said otherwise. One thing was certain: Greg made her happy.
Looking at them right now, my heart melted. She was laughing so hard at his jokes that tears dotted her eyelashes. He tucked her hair behind her ear, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
She looked really happy, and after all she’d been through, she deserved it.
I hadn’t told her about Richard’s death, nor had I mentioned the truth about my father. The timing wasn’t right. I would tell her when she was better. But for now, I couldn’t steal her joy; I couldn’t bring myself to ruin her happiness.
Hypocrite!a quiet voice whispered in my head.You’re mad at Adrik for keeping important information a secret from you. But you’re doing the same with your mother.
Damn, that stung.
I closed my eyes and shoved that voice to the back of my head.
“Hey, Emi!” Mom waved at me.
I beamed at her and headed toward the bench. “Hi, Greg,” I greeted him.
“Hello.” He nodded at me.
“How long have you been standing there for?” Mom asked, staring at my face.
“Oh, just a few seconds.” I shrugged my shoulders.
“I’ll, uh….” Greg rose to his feet. “I’ll leave you two now.” He patted my mom’s arm and walked away.
“So…” I began, my lips curling into a small smile. “Greg, huh?”
