DOMINIC’S POV.
The garden was supposed to be my escape, but even the quiet couldn’t silence the chaos in my head. The whiskey burned as it slid down my throat, but it wasn’t strong enough to dull the ache.
“Dominic.” My mother’s voice was gentle, but it still grated against my nerves. I didn’t turn to look at her.
“What is it?” I muttered, my eyes fixed on the glass in my hand.
“You’ve been out here for hours,” she said, her steps crunching softly on the gravel as she came closer. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
She sighed. “Don’t do this. Don’t shut me out. I’ve seen the change in you since you got back. What happened on your trip?”
I clenched my jaw, gripping the glass tighter. “I said it’s nothing. Just leave it alone.”
“Dominic-”
“God, just drop it, okay?” I snapped, raising my voice.
The silence that followed was heavy, suffocating. I didn’t have to look to know she was staring at me, hurt and confused.
“Dominic, what has gotten into you?” she asked quietly.
“What’s going on here?” My father’s voice cut through the air like a whip.
I turned my head to see him striding toward us, his face set in a hard scowl.
“Nothing,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Nothing? Is that why you’re yelling at your mother?” He didn’t wait for an answer. His hand came down hard across my face.
The sting was sharp, but what hurt more was the look in his eyes.
“You dare shout at your mother? Have you no shame?” he barked.
“Noah!” My mother stepped between us, her hands on his chest, trying to push him back. “Don’t you lay a hand on him again!”
“He disrespected you, Evelyn!” my father snapped.
“And you think hitting him is the solution?” Her voice rose, firm and unwavering. “He’s our son, Noah, not a child to be beaten into submission!”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. My father’s chest heaved with restrained anger, but he finally stepped back, his jaw tight. Without another word, he turned and stormed back into the house.
My mother turned to me, her expression softening. “Dominic, you don’t have to carry whatever it is alone. Talk to me. Please.”
I shook my head, unable to meet her eyes. “Not now, Mom.”
She sighed, her hand brushing my arm lightly before she followed my father inside.
And I was alone again, left with nothing hatred. “Let’s do this, Dominic.” I clenched my fists.
SARAYA’S POV.
“Saraya, you’ve been usually quiet. What is the matter?” My father asked interrupting my thoughts.
I quickly exchanged quick glance with Mary and looked away. “Nothing, dad. Just tired.”
He didn’t seem convinced, but before he could push further, the car came to a stop in front of the mansion.
“Finally,” Mary sighed, stretching her arms. “The trip is so tiring.” Turning to Evan and myself. “You two should be sure to shower once you get to your rooms.”
“Yes ma’am.” We both murmured.
While unloading the trunk, the doors swung open, and there they were- My grandmother and Ian.
“Mary, my dear!” Grandma exclaimed, stepping forward with open arms.
Mary froze for a second before leaning into the hug. “Hi, mother.” she said softly.
Grandma held her tightly. “I’m so sorry, Mary. For everything. You’ve been so strong.”
“Thank you,” Mary murmured, her voice shaky.
Ian stepped forward next, surprising us all when he hugged Mary as well. It was brief, but sincere. “My condolences,” he said quietly.
“Thanks, Ian,” Mary replied, managing a small smile.
Ian turned to Evan, who was hanging back near the car. “Hey, Evan,” Ian said, nodding in his direction.
Evan waved awkwardly, his gaze darting to the ground. “Hi,” he mumbled.
The silence that followed was heavy, like no one knew what to say next.
“Well,” Grandma said, breaking the tension, “come inside, all of you. It’s been a long trip.”
Ian looked my way. “Still holding grudges, I see,” he muttered, his tone flat.
My head snapped toward him. “And you’re still minding business that isn’t yours,” I shot back.
“Saraya,” my father warned, his voice low.
I didn’t care. Ian’s condescending tone always grated on my nerves, and the way he spoke to me like I was a child only made it worse.
“Let it go, Ian,” Grandma said, her voice tight. “This isn’t the time.”
Ian held my gaze for a moment before turning away, muttering something under his breath.
“Well,” Grandma said, breaking the tension, “come inside, all of you. It’s been a long trip.”
Without waiting for a reply, I brushed past them, heading straight for the door and then my room.
I shut my door and dropped onto my bed and let my thoughts wander. I barely had time to think when my phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Frowning, I picked it up. It was a strange number calling.
“Who now?” I muttered, debating whether to ignore it or not.
The buzzing continued, persistent. With a sigh, I swiped to answer. “Hello?”
“… Saraya.”
I froze. That voice.
“What do you want, Arlan?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the sudden lump in my throat.
“You blocked me. Had to get creative,” he said and could hear worry in his tone.
“You shouldn’t be calling me,” I snapped, sitting up almost immediately. “We’re done, Arlan.”
“Are we?” he asked. “Even after the kiss?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “The kiss was a mistake that shouldn’t have happened. Don’t call me again.”
“Is that really what you want?” His voice dropped lower, soft but unsettling.
“Yes,” I replied, gripping the phone tighter. “Stay out of my life.”
“Why are you doing this?” He asked.
I took a deep sigh. “Mary saw us kissing at Brisbane.”
Arlan gasped. “Oh my goodness!” There was a pause from his end. “She got mad at you, us, right?”
“I’m more than grateful she was the one that saw us, imagine if it was my father.” I almost yelled.
“Then, that would’ve been much better.” He replied.
Not believing my ears. “What?”
“You heard me, Saraya.” Arlan affirmed. “Won’t it have been better if Alex saw and saw how much we want each other.”
I ended the call before he could say another word, tossing the phone onto the bed like it burned my hand.
A few moments later, the phone buzzed again. Same number.
I glared at the screen. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
The buzzing stopped, only to start again a second later.
“God, what part of ‘we’re done’ don’t you understand?” I muttered under my breath.
I grabbed the phone, my thumb hovering over the block button. But instead, I powered it off and threw it back onto the bed.
Leaning back, I stared at the ceiling, his voice still echoing in my mind.
“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I whispered to the empty room.