Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'31

(Trigger Warning for this chapter, read with caution)

When I walked through the door, I was immediately pulled into a warm hug by Lada.

"I've missed you so much!" she said, her arms wrapped tight around me.

"I've missed you too," I said, hugging her back.

"Oh look, little miss dramatic is back," came a voice dripping in sarcasm. I didn't even need to look to know it was Anderi.

"I've missed you too, Anderi." I laughed, turning to him.

He rolled his eyes but eventually gave in, stepping forward to hug me as well.

"It's boring when you're not around. No one tries to assassinate us," he teased.

I laughed and gave him a playful swat. As the room settled into laughter and chatter, I let my eyes scan for someone I hadn't seen yet.

"Where's Annika?" I asked.

"She's upstairs," Lada said, watching me carefully.

"What do you need her for?" Czar asked, his tone casual, but his eyes sharper than usual.

I turned quickly. "Uh, nothing. I'm just going to say hi."

I tried to sound breezy and unconcerned, hoping he wouldn't sense the lie. I needed the truth, and I knew I wouldn't get it if Czar got involved.

"Zariah, you're back!"

I turned to find Lonnie walking toward me, arms open.

"Lonnie, I've missed you so much," I said, wrapping her in a hug.

"How's your son?"

"He's great! We just moved into our first home. Czar gave me a raise and a bonus. Now I can finally afford a proper babysitter."

I smiled. That was news to me. "That's amazing, Lonnie. You'll have to invite me over sometime."

"Absolutely," she said, grinning. "Oh, Annika's in your room. She said she was waiting for you."

"Waiting for me?"

"Yup," she nodded, walking off.

My stomach twisted. What could Annika possibly want with me?

I climbed the stairs slowly, my heart thudding with every step. When I opened the door to our shared room, I froze.

Annika was sitting on the bed, legs crossed, her hands covering her face as she rocked back and forth.

"Annika?" I asked gently, stepping in and closing the door behind me.

She didn't look up. "It's all my fault. Everything is my fault," she sobbed.

I walked over cautiously, lowering myself beside her. "What are you talking about?"

She finally moved her hands. Her eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Czar told us what happened. How Liam found you. I know he told you... told you to ask me."

I nodded slowly. "He did. He said you know the truth about what happened to your father."

Annika took a shaky breath. "I never meant for Liam to hurt him."

My brows furrowed. "Annika... what happened?"

"Czar wasn't the only one close to Liam. He was a best friend to me too. He was kind, protective. So when I started pulling away, he noticed. He came to me, asked what was wrong. I tried to lie, but eventually I broke down."

She stared down at her trembling hands.

"It was just days before Czar and I turned eighteen. My father... he did things. Things no father should do to his daughter."

My heart dropped.

"Annika..."

"Let me finish," she whispered. "He abused me for years. Told me no one would believe me. I was scared. When I told Liam, he lost it. I begged him not to tell anyone, not even Czar. He promised he wouldn't... but he said he would take care of it."

She turned to me, pain etched in every feature.

"I didn't know he planned to kill him, Zariah. I didn't. But when it happened... a part of me felt relief. I hated myself for it. And when he told me about my mother's attack... how she woke up during the struggle and he accidentally cut her... I believed him. He didn't mean to hurt her."

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I wanted to tell Czar the truth so many times. But I saw how broken he was. And then... he killed Liam's girlfriend. A girl who was pregnant. And I knew... everyone's blood is on my hands. My mother. My father. Liam's girlfriend. Liam's rage. Your danger. It all started because I was too much of a coward to speak."

"Annika... I don't know what to say," I whispered, reaching to hug her. She collapsed into my arms, sobbing.

"I'm so sorry, Zariah. I never wanted to hurt anyone."

"This isn't your fault," I said. "You were a child. He was the monster. Not you."

She trembled against me. "I miss my mom so much."

There was a pause, one that lingered too long.

"Annika... were you still in contact with Liam?"

She didn't answer right away. Then she whispered, "I killed my mother."

~*~

Don't forget to comment, vote, share and follow. This book will be updated every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.