Wolf under an oak tree.

My hands were shaking terribly, and the tears just wouldn't stop flowing, but I quickly wiped my tears and threw the pictures on the passenger seat. At that moment I made a promise to myself that I would find Alan and kill him for good this time so that my family will be out of harm's way. And after that, I would like to leave this place, which holds a lot of painful, bittersweet, and beautiful memories, and start afresh. Collect all the broken pieces of my life and mend them. And for me to do that, I must first find closure from this place and my past life.

I put my car keys in the ignition and started the car and backed out from the parking area and sped home. Once I reached home, I checked my appearance in the mirror and fixed my makeup before I got down from the car and went inside.

After closing the door behind me, I made my way to the stairs, but then I caught sight of my mother, who was sleeping on the couch with a book in her hand, so I went closer to her and took the book from her hand and fixed the cushion that was behind her head and I went over to the closet and brought a blanket and covered her with it.

Your daughter will not be fooled again, mom. I will stand strong and fight against everyone who wants to pull me down.

I made a promise, and then I went upstairs to my room and lay down on my bed, and closed my eyes thinking about how I am going to confront Alan.

I woke up to the sound of someone talking next to me, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Ada sitting next to me talking on the phone, and I waited till she ended the call. And after a few minutes, she cut the call, and she turned around to look at me.

“How did you sleep?” Ada asked me, but there was no smile on her face, and her tone was monotonous, it's like she doesn't even care about what I am going to answer.

“I slept well,” I replied, and she nodded her head before the room was silent again. None of us want to hear the underlying question.

“What are you hiding from me, Iris?” I knew this question was coming my way, but I didn't expect it to be this soon. So I shuffled around a little before I found a comfortable place on the bed. I leaned back on the headboard and sat cross-legged.

“I was going to tell you this sooner, Ada. But I didn't want to worry you always about my problems.” I explained. But she abruptly stood up and moved away from me. The distance that was separating us held a lot of secrets, guilt, agony, and anger. It's like the friendship that we had a year back has completely vanished, and now two people who are standing in this room are complete strangers, which makes my heart ache.

“I know that eavesdropping is not a good habit, but I heard your conversation with Jace the other day. And even before that, I knew that Alan was not someone from the movie, I did have a vague guess that he might have been your ex-boyfriend. But then I remembered you telling me that he cheated on you so that you left him.” Ada's voice was rising an octave from every sentence that she uttered, and her face was tinted red with all the anger that she has.

“I don't know what happened between us these past few years, Iris. I don't know what made you stop trusting ME!” she accused me and my eyes watered at her accusation. “Your fucking best friend! Who stood up for you even on the very first day of kindergarten.” every word that left her mouth was like a dagger that repeatedly pierced my heart, and my lips were trembling while my eyes were constantly getting blurry with my tears.

I got up from the bed and tried to move toward her, but she raised her hand, stopping me from coming any closer. “Haven't we promised to always share our secrets, no matter how big or trivial it is?” she asked me, and I can see the tears rolling down her chin. Her eyes held a lot of agony which was caused by me, and I couldn't do anything to take that away.

“Ada...I...” she placed her hands on her ears, not wanting to hear my explanation, I understand her state of mind at the moment, but my heart is beating rapidly, and my face has heated up.

“How couldn't you tell me that you were being tortured by your boyfriend, Iris? Do you remember the numerous phone call that we had?" Her voice was breaking in a few places, but she still kept going. “Didn't you even at least think of sharing this with me? I could have done something to help you come out of that mess, Iris.” She asked me, looking me straight in the eye.

“I didn't want to burden you with all my problems Ada. I thought I could handle it.” my voice was just above a whisper.

“Why do you even have friends, family relatives, etc... In your life, Iris? If you think that your problems are a burden to us, then I don't think you need anyone in life. You can go and solve your own problems.”

“I thought, I meant something more to you. I thought we were sisters, I thought I knew everything about you, but today you have proved me wrong, Iris.”

“I was just building my castles in the cloud because after all these years, I feel like a complete stranger to you.” Ada's words held finality, and she turned around to leave the room, but I held her hand.

“Ada, you have always been my sister. Please don't do this to me.” I pledged, but she gave me a sarcastic smile before removing my hand from hers.

“I think you are building castles in the cloud, Iris. Because you have started to view me as Cole’s wife, your sister-in-law. Nothing more, nothing less.” she said.

“We will be civil from now on, Iris. But don't expect me to behave like your best friend any time soon because the scars that you have created, take time to heal. And I will need some time to get over it.” those were her parting words before she left me standing in the middle of the corridor. I have lost two relationships in the span of twenty-four hours, my childhood best friend and my lifelong soulmate.

Life plays a cruel trick on everyone at some point because it not only teaches us what is right and wrong but also that we will always have to walk this path alone, no matter who is with us or not.