"How long…" I whispered. "How long was I out for?"
"Two days," he answered.
Two days. I repeated it in my mind. They must have really thought I was gone.
Good.
Something inside me shifted.
I was alive, not dead. This wasn't the end.
I should have died, I said out loud. There was no need. I couldn't be a good mother to my child… I couldn't protect it.
Silence filled the room after my words.
Then his voice came. It was calm, firm and steady.
"But you did."
Those three words echoed in my head.
I did.
I survive
"How long…" I whispered. "How long was I out for?"
"Two days," he answered.
Two days.
I repeated it slowly in my mind, letting it sink in.
They must have really thought I was gone.
Good.
Something inside me shifted.
I was alive, not dead. This wasn't the end.
I should have died, I said out loud, my voice breaking slightly. There was no need. I couldn't be a good mother to my child… I couldn't protect it.
Silence filled the room after my words.
It wasn't uncomfortable… just heavy.
Then his voice came.
Calm. Firm. Steady.
"But you did."
Those three words echoed in my head longer than anything else.
I did.
I survived.
My breathing steadied slightly as exhaustion pulled at me again, trying to drag me under.
But before I could fall back into sleep, one thought stayed sharp in my mind.
This wasn't survival.
This was life giving me a second chance.
A second chance to make things right.
A second chance I would not take for granted.
And this time…
I won't be the one begging.
I opened my eyes slowly again.
"How long did I sleep for?"
The room was darker now.
The shadows had shifted.
"Four hours," he replied.
I turned my head slightly.
"Who are you?" I asked again, more clearly this time.
There was a pause before he answered.
"Lucien Voss."
The name settled in the air like smoke.
Voss…
I frowned slightly.
I had probably heard it somewhere before, but I couldn't place it.
My memory felt like broken glass—pieces there, but nothing complete.
"Voss…" I repeated under my breath.
Then I turned my gaze toward him again.
" what happened to you?" he asked.
That question hit something deep inside me.
Something I'm carefully trying to lock away.
"What happened to me…"
I repeated softly.
My voice dropped.
Because that question… wasn't simple.
It was everything.
It carried pain I had survived, choices I regretted, and a life I could never return to.
"I'll start from the beginning," I said quietly, closing my eyes.
And just like that…
The past came rushing back.
..........
FLASHBACK
"Hey… that design looks good."
"You should try studying design properly. Like full time. You're really good at it."
I smiled faintly as I closed my sketchbook.
"I know, Kelly," I replied softly. "But I don't have the resources for that dream."
My voice lowered slightly.
"I'm not as rich as you are."
I hesitated.
"You know I've been moving from one foster home to another all my life. The only reason I'm even in this school is because of a scholarship."
I looked away.
"I can't dream that big."
There was a short silence between us.
Then my stomach growled loudly.
I let out a small sigh.
"I'm hungry."
Kelly immediately perked up.
"Let's go to the cafeteria before the food finishes," I said, standing up and pulling her along with me.
She groaned dramatically.
"We don't have to rush, you know. I can always get us something to eat."
She flipped her hair slightly as we walked.
"I can call the family chef or just order something. Cafeteria food isn't even that good."
I stopped walking for a second.
Then turned to her quickly.
"No," I said firmly.
She blinked.
"No ordering today."
I lowered my voice slightly.
"You can't keep spending so much on me. How do you expect me to ever repay you?"
For a moment, Kelly just looked at me.
Then she smiled.
Not teasing… but warm.
"Then teach me how to design."
I paused.
Then I smiled back.
"Alright. But after we eat."
Her eyes lit up immediately.
"Promise?"
I nodded.
"I promise."