Alandria stood in front of Emmeline. She bore a big goofy smile and without even realising it, Alandria was hugging her the next second.

"I missed you sooo much!" she cried and Alandria swore she could hear a sob.

"I missed you too."

The young girl withdrew her head from her sister's shoulder and had a good look at her.

"Are you sick Alandria?"

"No...I am not"

Just sick of this life, she thought as she looked at Zayden, or of this man.

"We are going home. So no need to unpack."

"To aunt Ninana's place?"

She could hear her tone of deadfulness.

"Where else is home...." Alandria muttered as she turned around, "I am going to get my things. You wait for me here..."

"Aww aren't you a cutie pie!" Nia cried with in an endearing tone as she looked at Emmeline.

"And you stay away from her" Alandria finished sharply, taking the stairs.

She went into her bedroom, closed the door and sighed. She looked around...what? Why was she here? She didn't have anything. The clothes, the items she used everyday...everything was bought by Zayden...

Feeling ashamed of herself, she took her phone from the table and made her way down the stairs. Emmeline was sitting on the couch, her little feet dangling and Zayden and Nia were standing and stopped talking abruptly when she came down.

"You got everything?" Zayden asked.

"Yeah."

"Where are they?"

"I have my phone with me." Alandria shrugged.

Zayden widened his eyes in confusion and Alandria spoke.

"I came here with that so this is the only thing that belongs to me" 

"You can take the clothes. They are yours. They've always been"

He gave her a warm look, but that wasn't enough to make her melt.

"They bring back memories that I want to erase. Let's go."

She outstretched her hand towards her sister who hopped off the couch and and grabbed it. Alandria took Emmeline's bags and made her way outside with her.

"Are you angry with Zayden?" Emmeline whispered as they made their way out.

"Forget about Zayden Emmeline. We have our own lives to focus on. We need to know what to tell aunt Ninana."

It hurt her terribly to say that, but it was the ultimate truth. Zayden's chapter was about to close and a new one was about to open; a life without Zayden. She knew it would kill her to think about the betrayal so she preferred to let that part remain in the past, a part of her life when she was in love...Her eyes welled up with tears, but she looked down and swallowed the pain.

10 minutes later they were all in Zayden's car, heading towards Aunt Ninana's place. The silence was painfully uncomfortable. Alandria and Emmeline sat in the back and Zayden and his 'girlfriend' were sitting in front.

As the car drove by, Alandria watched the buildings, the trees and the people go past her.  Palm pressed against her chin, she stayed silent, but the emotions were wrecking her inside. The betrayal...he betrayed...he betrayed...she was a fool to let him take advantage of her like that. How could she be so weak?

But Zayden...how could he do that? How could he lie like that? Everything he said seemed so true. Well...that would become a story to tell friends one day...how she was stupidly in love and then later betrayed. She just hoped she would laugh and not feel so lost and broken.

"Zayden"

"Yeah?" Zayden seemed surprised.

How did she gather up the courage to talk to him?

"Won't Dr. Bertram's guys follow us and attack us my place?" Alandria asked, "It was after all one of the reasons I was not going back."

"The reason why you were not going back was because you were running away with Zayden and your aunt was a tyrant" Nia added in an annoying tone.

"I see that you know my life" Alandria was getting pissed now, "I wonder who could have told you."

"It was Zayden obviously." Nia smirked.

"Didn't know you had such a fat mouth Zayden!" Alandria raised her tone.

"Don't you dare say something like this to him!" Nia cried.

"Who are you to tell me that?!" Alandria continued in the same tone.

"I am his girlfriend! You're just his pathetic ex!" Nia replied.

"You are trash!" Alandria yelled, " The kind of trash that hits on other people's man! Look at you! You were all over him the day we came to see you at the infirmary at school!"

"...which was the day he gave me his number. You were too stupid to even notice."

Alandria felt her whole body shake. They've been texting each other since THAT day?! She wanted to cry but she thought it best to cry alone, not in front of this bitch.

"I was actually not talking to you..."

"Ohh now you change the subject" Nia laughed, "How does it feel to know that you were just a toy?"

"Oh I don't know" Alandria said in a sarcastic tone, "How does it feel to be a bitch and a toy for a guy? Because you are both."

Wow! Where was all this coming from??

"Alright enough you two!" Zayden said angrily, "And for your question Alandria, no one will come after you because they already believe that you are with me. You can call the police for protection afterwards."

"and you?" the words escaped Alandria's mouth before she had the time to stop herself.

Why did she care about him now?

"I'll be fine. I have a meeting with Dr. Bertram. We will sort things out."

"He'll kill you Zayden. You have to call the police"

"You know bloody well I can't do that."

The car stopped. They had arrived. Zayden got out and and so did Alandria and Emmeline.

They walked together until they reached the latch. The house was right in front of them...and aunt Ninana was probably inside...sleeping...or waiting for her with a mop...to hit her of course, not to clean.

"Emmeline go in the yard and wait for me." Alandria said and she obeyed.

Alandria watched Zayden and he looked at her back.

"I know what I did is unforgivable" Zayden began, "But I want you to stay safe. Don't get yourself into trouble. Live a good life. You deserve it."

"Zayden" Alandria said, "What are you playing at? Why does all of this feel wrong? Are you hiding something?

Zayden sighed, and replied:

"I talked to your aunt on the phone. I told her that the Child Office will keep paying her visits and if she dares do anything to you or Emmeline she'll get in serious trouble. She understood and promised to take care of you both."

"Just like that?"

This was so unlike aunt Ninana.

"Of course not" Zayden smiled, "I had someone from Child Care call her."

That made more sense.

"Thanks" Alandria whispered.

"I'll leave then" Zayden said, "Take care of yourself and of Emmeline."

He was about to leave but she caught his hand. Zayden stopped and looked at her.

"Your father...how are you going to...?

"Don't worry about that" Zayden winked, "I got everything sorted out. Dr. Bertram has asked for money and I'll give it to him."

"You didn't tell me that! And you're going there without protection! Bring the guys with you!"

"I can't." Zayden said, "I...."

"Zayden! Don't be stupid."

"You're being stupid" Zayden said in a low tone, "I betrayed you and you still care for me?"

"I don't" Alandria lied, "I just want your father to be rescued."

"He will be" Zayden said.

He looked utterly defeated when he said that. Why?

Thunder reverberated around them. Alandria looked up. The sky was grey and it started feeling a bit cold.

"We are meeting in a public place and we'll do the exchange there....the money against my father." Zayden said.

"I hope he is alright. Take care of him" Alandria said as she looked away.

"Yeah I will take care of him." Zayden smiled, "You take care of yourself and your family. Alandria I have cared for you and I have loved you. But we are not meant to be together. I hope you understand that."

"Nurse Nia was more interesting, wasn't she?" 

Zayden did not answer and Alandria did not force him to. 

"I don't what to tell you" Alandria said, "Just that you made me the happiest girl at one point of my life...only to betray me afterwards."

Zayden sighed and stayed silent for a few seconds. He then slowly took her hands in hers and said:

"I am sorry. I know you will be happy after I leave."

Alandria crossed her arms and bit back the tears.

"Goodbye Zayden" she said coldly

"Goodbye Alandria" Zayden whispered

The final words were said and Zayden went back to him car which set off immediately. They were out of sight now...It was over. She had her life and he had his.

Alandria felt a strange emptiness inside her, but she breathed in and went inside the yard. She had to get busy! She had to forget about him! She had to!

Author Note: The end? I don't think so! Thanks for reading! The story will get much more interesting in the upcoming chapters! We are reaching the climax soon! Thank you for reading! Don't forget to comment!