ANNIKA’S POVI was in front of my computer, doing some reports that Aries needed for his meeting later this afternoon when the door suddenly burst open, and he came in.It was a hectic day for him and he had been having meetings since morning. He was a holding a box of donuts, and a Frappuccino from Starbucks in his other hand.“Hey Annika, I brought you snacks,” he said the moment he saw me.My eyes grew huge in surprise. I thought it was for him, so when he put the box of donuts and the frappe on my table, I couldn't quite hide my excitement, yet at the same time, I was a little bit embarrassed.“Thank you, Aries. You didn't have to,” I replied shyly.Aries only smiled at me. “It's fine, Annika. I really got it for you. It’s actually a treat and my simple way of saying thank you for your hard work. You've been really busy today, and besides, you're my lucky charm. Since you started working here, my business seemed to blossom.”“Wow, that's good to hear!“ I exclaimed.I stopped typing

ANNIKA’S POVGone? That can't be serious! I shake my head violently, refusing to understand what Jade was trying to say. No! She can't be right! “That's not true, Jade! Tell me that's not true!” I screamed.“Annika, I know you're upset—”“No!” I screamed so loud. My tears began to fall down my cheeks. My chest hurt from the sudden loud and fast beating of my heart. My head spinning from all the things that I tried so hard to ignore. “He's not gone! I saw him open his eyes! It was gray just like his father! He cried! He cried, Jade! He cried!”All of a sudden, everything seemed so vague. I never really understood pain, until this moment. Everything is suffocating me, making it hard to breathe. It felt like the world collapsed on me, and I couldn't lift myself up from this bottomless pit.“Annika, I'm so sorry! I know it's hard to accept it, but that's the truth,” Jade's voice cracked and then, she began crying with me. Her shoulders were shaking violently as she sobbed with me.My tear

ANNIKA’S POV“What are you still doing here?” I asked coldly. I looked at him coldly, ignoring the fact that he stayed under the rain just to shield me. It doesn't change anything anyway.“Let's go, baby. You might catch a cold and get sick. You shouldn't be out here in the rain,” he said softly. He was almost touching me, but he couldn't. He looked at me with pleading eyes — full of genuine care and concern. But I didn't want to go somewhere else. I want to stay with my baby. . .my Silas Timothy. I want to sit beside his grave, sing him a song and maybe. . . just maybe, he would come back to life and hug me. I want to sit beside his grave, and wait until he returned. . .or maybe, until I die. I feel hopeless and lonely. “You can go, Caspian. I don't give a damn if I get sick— or even if I die, I will stay here,” I stubbornly said.Caspian let out a deep sigh. His eyes softened as he watched me. His voice sounded desperate as he begged me, “Please, baby. . . Come with me. Let's get y

ANNIKA‘S POV“Good morning.” I smiled at the guard who looked too stunned to see me.I walked inside the hotel with a renowned confidence. It was liberating, like I had been reborn and now I was able to flap my wings and fly. It feels like I was a new person. . . Someone who's stronger and knows how to stand her ground. Every pain I felt in the past few months had become a weapon— a shield I could use to protect myself. . .to protect my heart.As I take each step, a few head turned to my direction. I heard a few gasps, and then slowly, I heard faint voices talking behind me— murmuring and wondering who I was. I smiled at a group of employees who were taken aback, “Good morning,” I said. Hearing my voice, they finally realized who I was. Their eyes were widening in shock as they followed me with their gazes.“Is that really her?” someone murmured. “She looks different,” someone replied, disbelief was obvious in her voice.“I wonder what happened to her.” Another girl joined. I let t

ANNIKA’S POVThat night, I cried so hard. A feeling of relief and sadness washed over me. It was freeing to know that it's over, and yet, a part of me aches at the same thought. Jade and I spent the night with alcohol, oblivious to the fact that we both have work the following day.Jade was silently comforting me, gently patting my shoulders and stroking my back. I was silent too, but my tears were loud. They kept on falling like it was the only way for me to finally let it go. I didn't know how the night ended, but I woke up the next day feeling way better, though my eyes couldn't lie for me.When I got to work, Aries didn't say anything about my eyes looking so red and puffy. We were quiet the whole morning. Aries had a meeting with a potential investor by the afternoon, and he let me come with him to record the minutes of their meeting. Somehow, I was grateful because it took my mind off my worries. It distracted me from thinking about Caspian and me.“Are you okay?” Aries finally a