Dylan's POV
Dad walked in. I didn't even wait a second.
"What were you talking with them?" I asked, my voice low but sharp.
He loosened his coat and sat down beside me.
"I offered them money," he said. "To take care of her. All of Eliza's expenses—school, food, clothes—everything will be on me."
I finally exhaled. A small weight lifted.
"I want to banish them, Dad," I muttered. "They should... die."
He looked at me with calm eyes, but his jaw was clenched.
"Eliza still loves them, even though they're killing her slowly," he said quietly. "And right now… we can't make a move against them."
I hated hearing that. Hated being helpless.
"Aren't we going to tell Uncle Derick about this?" I asked. "He's still out there, searching for his daughter…"
Dad shook his head.
"We can't, son. You remember what happened last time he found out she was alive. He nearly burned the whole family down."
He leaned in closer. "If he discovers she's suffering in this place? He won't just destroy them—he'll destroy everything. Elders, family, you, me… everyone."
I clenched my fists.
"But she's dying."
Dad's voice softened. "Not anymore. Her safety comes first now. I'm assigning guards to watch the school gate—quietly. She won't know. She'll feel free… but protected."
"What about home?" I asked, still uncertain.
"I made the deal so they can't blame her anymore. They'll take the money and keep their mouths shut."
I nodded slowly, then looked at him.
"What did they say about her?"
His face tightened. "Same as always. Filthy words. As if she's a burden."
I slammed my palm against the table, rage swelling in my chest.
Dad reached over, firm but gentle.
"I'll be taking care of Eliza from now on. She needs real support. Mental strength. We'll give her that."
And for the first time in days, I felt like there was hope.
______
Claire's POV
"How cruel are you, Claire?" my annoying sister snapped.
I was already frozen by Mom and Dad's stares. Liana was just throwing fuel on the fire.
"What if something had happened to her?" she asked again, glaring.
"Can you just shut up?" I barked.
"Why should I?" she fired back. "Why should I shut up, huh? I didn't lock anyone up in a dark room!"
I slammed my hand on the table. The guilt was clawing up my throat. I didn't mean for it to go that far. I thought the guards would find her. I swear I didn't want her to—
A tear slipped down my cheek.
"Why did you do it, Claire?" Mom asked, her voice low but deadly.
I couldn't look at her. I stared at the floor.
"Why are you even asking?" Dad snapped. "You want excuses for this?"
"What did that girl ever do to you?" he growled. "To make you try and kill her?"
I couldn't stop the tears now. I broke.
"I didn't mean to kill her!" I cried. "I didn't want her to die!"
"Then why did you do it?" Liana's voice pierced the room. Her eyes burned through me.
"I just wanted to scare her!" I shouted. "Not kill her! I—I can't kill her!"
"You almost did," she snapped. "You hated her—that's why you did it."
"NO! I… I LOVE HER!" I screamed.
I tugged at my hair, shaking. My lungs burned. What did I just say? Love? Is that what this is?
I couldn't breathe.
"Is that how you show love?" Dad said coldly. "By locking her up? Leaving her to die?"
"I didn't mean to—" I sobbed. "I was selfish… I was jealous… I just— I couldn't stand it anymore—her being better, braver, brighter... than me."
The silence that followed suffocated me.
Mom sighed deeply.
"You need to see her," she said at last. "And you will apologize."
She pointed at me, firm.
I shook, trembling.
Will she ever forgive me?
Part of me hoped not.
Because I didn't deserve it.
________
"We'll cover all her medical expenses," my mom said, glancing at Dylan and his father.
Dylan's dad didn't even look at her. "NO NEED," Dylan replied, his tone flat and cold.
I was bowed down. Holding back my tears.
"And...we are not letting any of you in" he said. I immediately looked up.
No.. I badly want to see her.
"We're really sorry for what my son did." My dad told them calmly.
"We are not hurt. It is her... Eliza... She is the one who is suffering, Mr. Lores " Dylan's dad said, his voice was sharp.
Dylan was staring at me as if he wanted to kill me right away.
This is the reason. I don't like when he is near Eliza. But why? Why Claire? You love her?
Didn't i? Didn't i love her?
At that moment, her smile, her eyes, her voice all she own flashed in my heart. I pursed my lips to control the escaping sobs but i couldn't control my eyes.
"You can go now."His dad said.I began to tremble.
I was startled when Dylan pointed his finger at me.
"And.. You... You should stay away from her... This is the last warning for you "
I gulped and knelt down. I cried and begged.My mom and dad backed away in shock. "Please let me see her. Please.... For the last time.. I just want to see her. I didn't wanted to kill her. Please."
Dylan ignored my pleas and walked away with a sneer.
I looked at his dad begging for mercy eventhough i didn't deserve a bit. My lips were trembling.
I badly wanted to see her. I didn't think this much.
What i did was wrong... I don't deserve her forgiveness but i want to see her.
Dylan's dad looked at me. He held my shoulder and made me stand up.
"You accept your mistake. You feel guilty. Impulsiveness is common in your age but this was too much.." I bowed my head."You will be forgiven from me but she have to live with this trauma all along " he said calmly.
"You can't talk to her. She is still unconscious. Her condition is worse. She can't even breath properly "he said.
He wrapped him around me and walked towards the ICU door. He opened it and walked in with me. My hands were shaking. I slowly walked towards her.
Eliza.
She was wearing a oxygen mask. Her lips and face were pale. Her lips didn't even twitch to her smile again. Her eyes refused to open. Her heartbeat rate was too low.
I looked lifelessly at her. I think it's better to stay away from her..
________
I chose Liana's school to join, that's where Liam was also studying He was the my only friend outside. It's him why i talked to her.
Liana was too annoying she even said she will change her school to Eliza's if i join in her school.