Karla's POV

I ran faster and faster as my head replayed the words that I had overheard.

I love you

My brain was in overdrive and it definitely was not in a state to be giving good advice. I needed a place to clear my head and yet everywhere I went seemed to remind me of him. From the green buds that mirrored his eyes to even the Library - everywhere was filled with him. So I ran to the only place that seemed to have more painful memories than the ones I was experiencing - my house.

My heart was expanding at an alarming rate but I knew I was close when I started to run in manicured lawns and perfectly painted and synchronized houses. I finally got to mine and hurriedly brought out the key from my pocket, opened the door, and immediately slid to the ground tears dripping from my eyes.

I laughed out loud like a crazy person.

Whatever happened to never crying for a man?

Just as I had hoped, the memories here were stronger. I looked across to the glistening counter a sign the maid had just finished cleaning the house.

Trust

Eventually, after cooking in bad memories my brain started to function.

Annabelle definitely likes Jayden.

I nodded to myself, piecing together the logical explanations.

Who's to say she doesn't like Astro as well?

I pressed my hand on my temples and rocked myself.

Astro is a normal, decent and kind person. It wouldn't be fair not to trust him. He's normal...

For some reason that scared me even more.

Astro was a normal person

The memories contained in this damned house started to weave themselves into the memories I held dear.

Coming here definitely wasn't a smart move.

I struggled to catch my breath and brought my phone to dial someone I swore I wouldn't ever talk to - my mother.

The phone rang for a while before she eventually picked up.

"Hello darling."

My heart immediately froze over.

"Is it your daughter?" A voice said over the phone.

"Later, Nathan, I haven't spoken to her in ages."

Nathan, that wasn't my father's name

"Do you love Father?" I asked.

There was silence on the other end for a while before she answered.

"Of course I love him. I wouldn't be married to him if I didn't love him."

My brain was starting to hurt even more.

"So why do you do the things you do."

My mother laughed over the phone. How I hated that laugh.

"I told you..."

"You'll know when you get older." I said cutting her off.

"Is your boyfriend cheating?"

My hand grasped the phone tightly. I hated the way her voice sounding all-knowing and familiar as if she had expected it.

"He's not like that. He's a good person." I screamed angrily.

She laughed. "So I know it's not James we are talking about."

And for the millionth time, she repeated her life's motto. "Life isn't a fairy tale darling."

"I didn't say it is. I am just saying...."

"Ugh, you are so naive. Do you actually think men are faithful?" I heard her laugh maniacally at the other end. "The sooner you realize the way of the world, the better off you'll be. How do you think I have survived this long."

I kept quiet and she eventually sighed. "I'm sorry darling, but you have to understand that you can't expect people to stay with one partner only, that'll be too boring."

Then why marry

"You say he's a normal boy right? And they call your father and I a normal happy couple."

I doubt they know the truth

"And you've met our friends right?"

I have. A bunch of twisted assholes like you.

"So now do you understand, this is simply the way life works?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now don't wear that bold makeup and dark clothing. Okay?"

"Okay."

I hung up and bowed my head. My perfectly shattered family.

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AN

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