19th January 2019;

After arriving shortly, Aidan went to carry her upstairs but Aurora refused and grabbed the railings for support. He rolled his eyes but hovered behind her just in case.

After showering, he found a new pair of pajamas waiting for him, a bit short on his lower half but loose on the upper. He smiled and padded his socks-clad feet to her room to find her sprawled on the bed wrapped up in her bathrobe, snoring softly.

She must've been really drained, he mused shutting the door quietly behind him. Leaving her to rest, he walked around the house. It was rather empty, save from scattered furniture here and there. The kitchen barely had any utensils or food.

The living room, at least, had one giant comfy-looking sofa facing a flat screen. Opening another door, a set of stairs met him and he turned on the lights before climbing down. "Wow," he breathed. It was the only full place in the house. Expensive cars lined neatly, shining, screaming for him to touch them.

Unable to resist, his hand brushed the metal and excitement bubbled inside. Forcing himself back up, I'll make sure to ask Rho to let me try them, he noted throwing his exhausted body on the couch and drifting off to sleep in seconds.

It was nearing five pm when Rho shook him hesitantly. He stirred slightly, one eye cracked open. "Hi," he mumbled. She waved and handed him a glass of water.

"Sorry for dozing off like that," she turned around heading to the kitchen, a shy blush tinging her cheeks.

"It's alright. You needed it. How's your thigh?" His hand itched by his side to reach out to her and check her wounds.

"Fine," she handed him a menu and after a while, the pizza was on its way.

Taking a seat on the sofa again, he convinced her after much bickering to prop her legs up. He settled at her feet. Her toes wiggled and she sighed. Slowly after the food arrived, Rho started recalling the events and her mouth moved on its own for two hours straight. He didn't dare interrupt her.

He listened, hanging on every details, every shaky breath she took and flash of anger in her eyes. Unconsciously, his fingers tapped the side of her feet. She didn't seem to mind, so he didn't stop.

At the mention of Amelia, his eyebrows furrowed. Pain clouded her features, a frown on her lips. "She just wanted to make me feel better," she laughed bitterly. "Cancer, really? It felt like I was the monster not that horrible disease."

Silence engulfed them for half an hour before he decided to turn the lights on.

"Gus found me that night," she picked at the fabric of her loose sweats. His head whipped back. He blinked slowly, eyes focusing back on her bundled form, following her every movement.

"After the fire? The second one, I mean." He sat down again.

She nodded, chewing on her bottom lip. "I fainted on the sidewalk, two blocks away."

"What happened after?"

"He carried me to the hospital," she laughed softly. "He thought I was a guy at first. I mean, my face was burnt, baggy clothes and your jacket...I looked like shit."

"That's why..." He trailed off.

"Yes," her hands moved absent-mindedly to trace her face. "He had to rummage through my bag for a wallet. Everyone called me Amelia at first." She exhaled. "I was out for a week. They removed the bullet, tried fixing my face to look like the picture I had. I look like Amelia gone wrong."

"You look beautiful, Rho." His heart ached.

She scoffed ignoring him. "As if I needed to be reminded of what I'd done that night. For heaven's sake, I can't even look in the mirror without wanting to strangle myself." He grabbed her hands to stop them from yanking at her hair.

"Rho," he spoke softly.

"Stop calling me that!" She shouted pushing him away. "I haven't been Rho since that fucking night. I haven't been the same. Do you have any idea how much I fucking hate myself at the moment? Dad was the one to give me that nickname. He'd be very disappointed right now."

"But, he's not." She sucked in a deep breath, glowering at him. He wiped her tear-stained cheeks. "He's not here," he added gently. "That's why, you're not disappointing anyone."

"Weird logic," she spoke after a bit, not fighting him off anymore.

"Shit happens, Rho. You're still the same girl I've known for years, broken, hurt, but still the same." His eyes connected with hers. "When dad started beating us up, I became suicidal at one point but then joined the army. A year later, I came out, joined this private company and was introduced to you. I was driven by the same emotions but learned how to handle them."

"I'm confused."

"I killed him, Rho." He laughed humorlessly. "He was beating my mom so bad she almost died. I didn't know what to do to protect her...ended up killing him. But, I wasn't sent to jail. Self-defense, you know." Ragged breaths were drawn in. "Couldn't even talk to mom. But, then, we kind of reconciled. She never loved me anyway. But, still."

"I'm really sorry, Aidan."

"So am I." He smiled at her, shooing the memories away. "I'm sure your parents won't be disappointed in you."

She shook her head. "I watched them die and just hid behind some plant, Aidan." The thought alone was going to haunt her forever.

"What were you supposed to do, huh?" She looked away. "Exactly. So, stop blaming yourself." A nod. Silence again. "Mind continuing?"

Another handful of silence before her lips started moving. "When I woke up, I trashed the room and tried escaping. Gus caught me. The guy kept visiting me. I was weirded out. But, then, I learnt that he was there visiting Laura who had just given birth. Turns out too, that Jared, her husband, had donated blood for me." Her lips tilted upwards.

"Sounds like nice people."

"Yes, they are. Gus convinced me to stay in the hospital after I explained to him the situation. When I was discharged, he took me in. I stayed with them for a while and Laura took care of me. I owe her for that." They really are an amazing bunch, Aidan mused. "I was beyond depressed. I was a real pain in the ass."

"I bet," he chuckled.

Rolling her eyes, she continued. "Three weeks after what happened, I grabbed my bag and checked the papers." Her lips thinned. "Money. There was plenty of cash left under the name of some woman I didn't know. But, I was the only one able to draw that money out."

"Weird."

She nodded frantically, "I know right! I found nothing on her, too. It was just a name, so, I assumed dad used that just to hide the wealth he had. I haven't really bothered with that, honestly."

"You already had a plan on your mind." Aidan lifted her leg carefully to make himself more comfortable then lowered it in his lap.

"Laura and Jared had a small diner." She snapped her fingers. "Gus had a gym. Battered, but working."

"You invested in both. Your studies paid off, I see." He laughed harder when she muttered stalker under her breath.

"I owed them."

"So, you're their boss?" Reluctantly, her head moved confirming his question. "And they know what happened that day?"

"Not entirely, but yes. Everyone was wary of me at first then trust was built. Firm. Strong." A team operates better than a lone wolf.

"What happened to Amelia's identity, though?"

"She was declared dead. I had to fix that up one way or another. You know, sad thing was, her parents were dead. And..."

"You felt relieved." Ashamed, she looked away. "It's not your fault, hey." His fingers brushed her hair.

"I know, but...I was heartless. It's disgusting. I shot her after she died because I had no idea if the fire would help or not." Shooting and burning people weren't really her strongest forte...back then. "I had to bribe people to report my, well her death on the day I got released from the hospital. Because, for those guys following me, I died in the fire. But, for the people who knew her, she died in it. Which was confusing, because a while later I was checked in under her identity. Something had to be done. I couldn't risk people finding out. And most definitely, not them."

His chest moved with a heavy sigh. "What identity do you have now, Rho?"

Another bitter laugh bubbled out of her chest. "Funny thing was...dad already had made me another identity." She could still remember her reaction that night. And, shock would be an understatement. "Aurora Breslin. It was the other woman's last name."

The clock on the fridge ticked as they plunged into quietness. Her chest felt lighter. His mind heavier. He didn't expect it to be this complicated. So, huddled together, each to their thoughts, both wished things didn't go this way.

"For the world, I'm dead. Both: as Amelia and Aurora. I'm glad you are here. At least, you are proof to my existence." Her lips quivered as she smiled. His heart beat faster.

"You never stopped existing, Rho."

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