A few weeks later,
Amelia POV

"Kat, pass me your lip gloss."

"You girls! Spare me the mirror for a minute. Come on, move aside."

"Sarah, did you make a list of all cosmetics?"

"Daisy didn't tell me yet which brand primer we'll need."

"Amy, help me with this eyeliner."

I groaned. "Coming."

Currently we girls are at Katherine and Sarah's dorm, getting ready for a shopping spree. We are going to the mall, shopping some essentials for the trip. The trip? Yes, the trip! The university's trip to Hudson Valley is confirmed on 20th December. Today is 18h. We have the whole day tomorrow to pack our bags.

"Justin is not coming with us?"

Daisy muttered, holding a concealer on hand and her phone on the other.

"Liam said he's visiting his mom... during those four days of the trip," said Sarah.

My eyes snapped towards her direction. Justin... he n-never told m-me... In all these days, we connected like best friends; met frequently, talked about everything–funny or emotional. Yet, he didn't tell me...

It would have been so much fun... If our whole group would have been there...together. And now, everything changed in an instant. The whole trip didn't feel as bright and lively as I'd imagined.

It wasn't that I was mad. No, not at all I'm just... disappointed. A little. Family always comes first—for everyone, hence for him too. It's just that I'd silently expected our whole group to be together, for the trip.

After being a good friend to him, I just wanted... to matter enough to be told. But yeah, never mind. I understand him. I respect his decisions.

But it still doesn't erase the sting.

Maybe that's what growing up feels like—feeling both things at once. The ache and the acceptance. The disappointment and the grace.

So I smiled again. Laughed when Katherine cracked a joke. Got myself ready and helped the girls with their eyeliners and lip gloss.

But deep down, I just wished I didn't have to find out from someone else... Just once I wished I could have been the person he thought of... important enough to inform.

Justin POV

The breeze brushes past me, cool and steady, like the night’s way of reminding me it’s here. I leaned against the railing, coffee warming my palm, and let the steam curl up into the evening air. There’s a strange peace in this hour — not silent, but calm. The distant hum of the city, the occasional bark of a dog, and the rustle of leaves as the wind moves through them — all of it feels distant, muted.

I took a slow sip, the bitterness grounding me. The air smells faintly of rain and something floral — maybe the jasmine plant in the neighbor’s yard. The sky above is bruised with fading gold and deepening blue.

There’s a chill in the air now. Not the kind that makes you shiver, but the kind that slips into your bones if you stand too long. And still, I don’t want to move.

The breeze felt colder now, sharper. I sipped my coffee slower, let the bitterness settle on my tongue longer than usual. My grip on the mug tightened for a second.

Currently, the boys are getting ready to go to shopping for the trip. Even the girls will be there... and Lia too.

I still remember Lia asking me that night, with all her bright energy and excitement, whether I'll be coming to the trip or not... I already knew I couldn't. But I couldn't afford ruining that moment; the moment when everything felt so right and relaxing. It would have been a sin to do that. Her happiness matters the most—above everything.

I watch the sky darken, the deep blue swallowing the last of the day. I told the girls I was visiting my mom and sister. Let them pass the message along. That was safer. Simpler. A cleaner version of the truth.

Because how do you say, “Hey, I can’t come. I have to go back and untangle threads of a dead man’s secrets”?

How do I look at Lia's eyes and speak about my father — the man I barely understood while he was alive and now can’t let go of in death?

I didn’t tell her. I couldn’t. Not because she didn’t deserve to know, but because she did. And if she looked at me with that soft kind of concern only she has — that quiet, unwavering warmth — I might’ve told her everything. Things I’m not ready to say aloud. Not yet.

So I stayed quiet.

I know she's disappointed. Though she refuses to show, she was the most excited one in our group, for the trip. She's a kind of person who secretly wishes to stay together in harmony.

Lia is our peacemaker.

She feels deeply—not just her emotions, but others' too. She would never take sides; instead, she offers perspective.

Sometimes, she's the one who'll swallow her own pain if it means everyone in our group stays okay. She knows people aren't perfect and are quick to forgive, always hoping others can move past pride or anger and come back together.

I exhaled slowly, letting the wind carry my lingering thoughts away. The truth feels heavy tonight. But I hope — no, I pray — that one day she’ll understand why I kept it from her.

And maybe... forgive me for it.

Author POV

He exhaled deeply, letting his thoughts slowly drift away along with the cool breeze. He wished he could do what his heart yearned for... But when the dark secrets and unspoken confessions of the past called for him, he's nothing but helpless.

He turned to leave; with an empty coffee mug in his hand and a mind full of ruminating thoughts.

Just as he was about to enter his room, a firm voice stopped him on his tracks–Liam.

"Justin, we need to talk."

Justin turned back to face him. He knew what was coming. "Right now?"

"Yes. Right now."

Fifteen minutes later,

"When is he coming back to New York?", asked Justin.

Liam answered, "After a couple of months... 5-6 months if I'm not wrong. Dad said the others he was going to Italy for a real estate investment deal. But he told me that his men in Italy came across a few serious clues related to Uncle Carlton's death. He said it was important for him to handle and investigate them himself."

Justin gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. “Makes sense,” he said after a beat. “If it’s about dad, I get why he’d want to take it into his own hands.”

“And he’s not going in blind,” Liam added. “Dad took five of his men from New York with him — all trusted. Armed, trained. They’ve handled worse.”

Justin let out a small breath and leaned back slightly. “Then I suppose he’ll be fine,” he said calmly.

But inside, his thoughts weren't as settled.

Five to six months still felt too long. Too open-ended. Too uncertain.
Carlton had died in Rome, Italy. That wasn’t coincidence — and if Edward was going into the same storm, how safe could it really be?
Justin didn’t voice any of that. He just sat there, nodding like everything made sense.

Liam stretched, leaning against the edge of the table. “Well, now that my dad’s out of the city and you’ve got nothing holding you back…”

Justin looked at him, curious.

“…you better come on that trip with us,” Liam grinned. “I swear, if you stay back and sulk like a mystery novel again, we’re dragging you along unconscious.”

Justin let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “I thought all the seats were booked.”

“They are,” Liam admitted. “Whole university's been planning this since long. But hey — talk to someone. Twist some arms.”

Justin didn't respond right away, but Liam’s words lingered long after the conversation shifted.

That evening, after a moment of hesitation, Justin picked up his phone. It was late — too late to be calling a professor — but something pushed him to do it anyway. A part of him didn’t want to stay behind this time. Not with his thoughts. Not with everything unresolved.

The phone rang twice before a tired but kind voice answered.

“Professor Watson speaking.”

“Ma'am, I’m sorry for calling this late,” Justin said quickly. “This is Justin Cole. I… I wanted to ask about the university trip. I know the bookings are full, but I was wondering if there’s any possibility—”

“Ah, Cole,” the professor cut in gently. “Actually, you’re in luck.”

Justin blinked. “I am?”

“One of your classmates — Ethan Morgan — dropped out just a few hours ago. Family emergency. His name hasn't been removed from the final list yet, so if you want the spot, it’s yours.”

Justin sat up straighter. “Really?”

“You’ll need to cover the fee by tomorrow afternoon,” the professor said. “And sign the travel forms. But yes. If you're sure, I can make the switch tonight.”

“I’m sure,” Justin said without pause.

“Alright then. See you at the meeting point, Cole.”

As the call ended, Justin placed the phone down slowly, his mind already racing ahead — not about the trip, not even about Edward — but about a feeling he couldn’t shake.

Something told him this trip… might not be just an escape.

This chapter was a rollercoaster of emotions—where soft disappointments quietly meet heavy truths. Amelia’s ache and Justin’s silence are two sides of love we don’t always talk about.

And with Liam’s dad now in Italy, chasing shadows of a death no one talks about—it’s clear the past isn’t done with any of them. Secrets are starting to stir… and nothing will stay buried for long. It might be the beginning of something else entirely.

Please vote and comment if you liked this chapter. The next is will be updated soon after this one. Take care, cuties 💙

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