A lot has happened since I moved into Hart's mansion. From the moment I set foot here, my life took unexpected turns. At first, I came here because Carmienne asked me to stay until I graduated. Little did I know that this place held more surprises, especially with Liene's presence.
Liene had become a maid here after the devastating bomb incident in her hometown, which was far away from this mansion. I couldn't even get any news about her afterward or inquire how she was coping or surviving after such a tragedy.
Imagine my surprise when I saw her cleaning here one day. I immediately approached her, but she kept her distance, treating me as if we were strangers. Still, I managed to assign her to tasks so we could spend time together, even though she seemed distant.
"Liene," I called out as soon as she walked into my room, which my sister had kindly let me crash in for a while. It was pushing midnight, but Liene was still wide awake, taking care of me like she always did.
"What?" she replied, her voice a mix of icy and irritated. "Seriously, Sharmienne, quit checking up on me all the time. It's not my job to keep you posted."
I sighed, feeling the tension between us like a thick fog. We used to be close, like two halves of a whole, but something had shifted, and now it seemed like we were barely holding on to what we once had.
The room was dimly lit, with a soft glow coming from the moon outside. I watched her closely, her features bathed in a subtle shadow. Liene was a force of nature, fierce and determined, with a heart that beat passionately for the people she cared about.
But lately, there was a guardedness about her, like a fortress built to protect herself from further pain. I wanted to break through those walls, to understand what had caused this distance between us.
"Look, I know something's not right," I said, trying to choose my words carefully. "You used to share everything with me, and now you're shutting me out. I miss our talks, our late-night giggles, and how we could just be ourselves around each other."
Liene crossed her arms, her eyes avoiding mine. "Things change, Sharmienne. Life isn't always a fairy tale where everything stays perfect forever. People grow, priorities shift, and we can't expect everything to be the same."
She didn't want to answer my questions about how she was doing or what happened after the tragedy. It was evident that she had changed after that incident, becoming distant and cold, and the vibrant memories we once shared together seemed to have faded away.
“You can at least tell me how you’re doing. What happened about that…” I prodded gently, my mind drifting back to the memories we shared in her hometown. It was hard to grasp why she was here now, looking so different from the vibrant person I knew.
She glanced away, avoiding eye contact, and I could see the weight of her experiences etched in the lines on her face. The carefree laughter that once filled the air had faded, leaving behind a mix of uncertainty and hidden pain.
"Don't be too naive, considering everything that's gone down," she said firmly. I could hardly meet her gaze, those deadly gray eyes that stirred memories of Denver. Their eyes mirrored the shade of those brooding storm clouds, ready to unleash a downpour of rain.
Her words held a weight I couldn't ignore. The room seemed to hold its breath as we stood there, teetering on the edge of something unspoken. I felt a tug at my heart, knowing that her past held dark secrets she wasn't ready to share.
As she poured the tea, her movements were both graceful and guarded. It was as if she was trying to shield herself from the world, but her fierce determination to protect herself only made me want to understand her even more.
I took a sip of the tea, the warmth spreading through me, yet it couldn't dispel the chill in the air between us. I had to tread carefully, knowing that pushing too hard would only push her away.
"You think I'd team up with Jake?" I asked. I couldn't tell if she already knew that Jake Hart was the mastermind behind that terrible bombing incident.
I worried that revealing this information might put her in danger, but I couldn't hold back – she needed to know where I stood. I was on her side, seeking justice not only for her parents but also for all those who lost their homes in that heart-wrenching catastrophe.
I saw the doubt lingering in her eyes, a flicker of uncertainty mixed with lingering pain. It tore at my heart to see her carry such a heavy burden, and I longed to be the one to ease it.
"You've been through so much, Liene," I said gently, reaching out to touch her hand. "But you can trust me."
"No way," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "After all I've been through, I just don't think I can do it."
Her words hit me like a tidal wave, sending shivers down my spine. It felt like a door had been slammed shut, sealing off any chance of reconnecting with her, of being more than just friends again.
Memories flooded my mind, taking me back to the days when we laughed together, held hands, and shared secrets under the stars. The bond we once had was so strong, but now it seemed fragile, hanging by a thread. I couldn't bear the thought of losing her completely. She was more than just a friend.
I couldn't hold back the questions burning inside me any longer. "Is it because my sister married the guy you absolutely loathe?" I blurted out. Her reaction was a mix of shock and anger as she shot me a piercing glare. "Or is it because the person you admired the most turned out to be a massive disappointment?"
Her eyes welled up with tears, but she tried to stop me. "Please, just stop," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "Don't you dare say another word."
The tension between us was palpable, like a charged electric current crackling in the air. We had always been close, but lately, there was a growing distance, and I couldn't ignore it any longer.
"Liene..." I called out, my voice trailing off as she abruptly stood up and left the room. I let out a heavy sigh as I watched her go, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. Why was she avoiding me like this?
If she wouldn't give me answers, then maybe I could find them elsewhere. I needed to know why she had become so distant. I wanted to understand what had happened to change our once inseparable bond.
My mind raced through the possibilities. Maybe someone who was there during the incident could shed some light on the situation. Perhaps Kian or Daniel could provide some answers. I knew they were both present when things took a turn, but after that day, Daniel seemed to vanish from the scene entirely. I hadn't even caught a glimpse of him with Denver. I decided to start with Kian, hoping he might be more willing to talk.
But how come Jake Hart hasn't been thrown behind bars for what he did? It's tempting to just ask him straight up, but there's a reason I haven't done that yet. He's dangerous, and I don't want to make myself a target. Kian seems to be sticking close to him. Maybe he knows more than he's letting on. Jake's the mastermind behind that horrifying bomb incident.
The air was tense as I mulled over the situation. I had been digging into the details of that tragic day when the bomb went off, shattering lives and leaving scars on the city. The memory of the chaos and destruction still haunted me like a shadow, fueling my determination to uncover the truth.
Jake had connections in all the wrong places, and there were whispers that he was responsible for the deadly attack. It was infuriating to think that he might be walking free while so many innocent lives were lost.
I couldn't help but wonder what Kian knew about all this. He was Jake's secretary now, which made me suspicious of his motives. Was he just blindly loyal, or was there something more to his alliance with Jake?
I couldn't shake this feeling of suspicion. Everyone around here seemed to be hiding something. It's like we're all stuck in a lion's den, a place so dangerous and volatile. Even my sister, who's been through hell, hasn't managed to escape its clutches. She had chances to leave, but she chose to stay.
The place was an enigma, wrapped in an air of mystery. This mansion we called home was grand on the outside, but on the inside, it held secrets that sent shivers down my spine. It felt like a web of deception, and I couldn't help but question the motives of those who resided within its walls.
I was lying in bed, contemplating the whirlwind of events when I heard my sister's voice calling from outside my room. "Sharmienne? You awake?" I replied with a tired 'yes,' and she wasted no time entering.
She came over, sitting at the edge of my bed, and asked with concern, "How are you holding up?"
"I feel like I'm losing my mind, Carmienne," I confessed, desperation creeping into my voice. "I need to know what's going on. Please, tell me."
Her eyes filled with empathy as she squeezed my hand gently. "Okay, listen, there's a lot going on, and it's a tangled mess."
I nodded, the memory resurfacing. We had pieced together bits of information about something ominous being plotted, but it was still hazy.
"Jake Hart is the key player. But it's not just any plan, it's dangerous, and Kian is right in the middle of it." Carmienne said, leaning in. “He wants to protect his sister, Sharmienne. Kia's one of the targets.”
My heart sank at the revelation. Kian was part of this dangerous scheme, and my mind raced, trying to make sense of it all.
“Oh, God.”
My mind was blown, and I struggled to put my thoughts into words. It suddenly made sense, all those times Denver and Elijah stumbled over Kian's surname—Forthaliez. It wasn't a mistake at all. Kia, Kian's sister, was actually a target of The Hawk.
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. The Hawk was a notorious organization, known for its ruthless tactics and shady operations. They were like shadows in the night, striking when least expected, and having someone you care about on their hit list was like having a ticking time bomb in your life.
I remembered the day when Denver and Daniel had been talking about some mission. At the time, I had brushed it off as some secret plan they were cooking up, but now I understood the gravity of it all. They were discussing Kian.
“What should we do?” I asked, trembling with the thought that we are not safe here anymore. “Why aren’t we leaving this house?”
My pulse still quickened, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I glanced around nervously, my heart racing like a wild stallion about to break free. The air seemed heavy with uncertainty, and my mind was a whirlwind of questions. Why would Carmienne let me live here if she knows this is dangerous? 
A heavy silence enveloped the room as I anxiously waited for her response. I sank down onto my bed, my eyes fixed on her as she absentmindedly caressed her womb. Confusion etched across my face, trying to grasp the meaning behind her actions.
Finally, she broke the silence, her voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and determination. "It was too late when I found out, Sharmienne. Jake, the man I once trusted and loved, was the mastermind behind all these heart-wrenching tragedies." Her fingers continued to gently touch her belly as she spoke, as if seeking comfort in the warmth of her own touch.
My brow furrowed deeper, the puzzle pieces slowly falling into place. Jake wasn't just any ordinary troublemaker; he was a ruthless gangster, notorious for his merciless ways. The revelation sent shivers down my spine, the thought of being tangled up in such a dangerous web sending a chill through my veins.
She went on, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "He lives a life soaked in darkness, wrapped up in shady deals and alliances with dangerous syndicates. This wasn't some game for him; it was his grim reality."
Her words hung heavy in the air, like a haunting melody that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I couldn't imagine the fear and pain she must have endured, discovering the true nature of the man she once loved.
As she continued, the weight of her burden became apparent. She had delved deep into the treacherous world of crime to learn about Jake's sinister connections and the dangerous tasks he performed for these syndicates.
"He's got a network of associates," she said, her gaze distant as if reliving the horrors of the past. “He's that powerful.”
She let out a sigh, her voice tinged with a mix of regret and defiance. "I knew he was no saint," she said, running a hand through her hair as she recalled the stormy path she had chosen. "Jake got a reputation for being a real troublemaker, but for some crazy reason, my heart just went head over heels for him. Blind love, I guess."
Leaning against the window sill, she gazed out into the night, lost in thought. "And then there was this whole charade of a fake marriage we cooked up," she continued, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Can you believe it? Me, willingly signing up for that rollercoaster ride, all for the sake of being close to him?"
“Carmienne…” 
"Guess love makes us do the craziest things," she mused with a hint of sadness. "I thought maybe I could change him, but reality has a way of slapping you in the face. No matter how much I tried to see the good in him, I couldn't ignore the dark deeds he was involved in."
I gently took hold of her trembling hand, my heart aching at the raw emotions that flickered in her eyes. It was like looking at a faded memory, the same emotions I had seen in her years ago when we stumbled upon that old class picture. Time had changed her, shaped her into someone who had loved deeply, but not without its consequences.
"You loved him," I said softly, trying to offer some comfort amidst the turmoil. "There's nothing wrong with that. Love can be a wild ride, and sometimes it takes us places we never thought we'd go. It's just... you fell hard, didn't you? So deeply in love that it consumed you, and you lost sight of the red flags waving all around."
She nodded, her lips trembling as she tried to find the right words. "It's like I was drowning in his love," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Blinded by it, I couldn't see the danger lurking in the shadows. I let my heart lead the way, and it led me into a storm I never saw coming."
"He had this way of making everything seem right, even when it wasn't," she continued, her voice tinged with both sadness and admiration. "I ignored the warning signs, convinced that our love could conquer all. But love alone couldn't change the truth of who he was."
I squeezed her hand gently, a silent gesture of support as she relived the pain of her past. It was clear that her heart had been through a storm, battered and bruised, yet still strong and resilient.
She let out a shaky breath, trying to compose herself as tears welled up in her eyes. With a determined swipe of her free hand, she brushed away the tear that escaped. "You know, it's my fault you got mixed up in this crazy situation," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret.
I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her in a comforting embrace. "Hey, don't blame yourself," I said softly, trying to soothe her troubled heart. "We're in this together, remember? I chose to be by your side, no matter what comes our way."
She looked up at me, her eyes searching for reassurance. "It's just... I can't leave this place," she murmured. "I'm staying here, hoping against all odds that somehow Jake will find out about our baby."
It felt like time froze for a moment as her words hit me like a tidal wave. Baby? She's having a baby? My mind whirled with a mix of shock, concern, and a hint of awe at the magnitude of what she just revealed.
"B-baby..." I stammered, my heart clenching at the weight of her decision. 
It was like she had wrapped her heart around a ticking time bomb, holding on to this dangerous household with the hope that the man she loved, Jake, would somehow learn about their unborn child.
I could see the conflict in her eyes, a cocktail of emotions swirling beneath the surface. Her words spoke of excitement, but her eyes betrayed the fear and uncertainty she felt. This was no ordinary situation, and I couldn't fathom the courage it took for her to carry such a heavy secret.
"Yes, Sha," she said, her voice tinged with both joy and sadness. "Jake is the father."