Entwined Fates of the Two Daughters

Third Person's POV

Ten long years had already passed since then and around that time of the year, both Vida and Alina had already grown up. Both were beautiful, intelligent in their own way, and had already attained so much despite their seventeen years old age

"I'm so proud of you, Alina!" Cecilia exclaimed with teary eyes while hugging her daughter. She could not believe that her daughter would grow up to be such a fine girl.

"This is all for you, Mommy," Alina whispered and gave her the diploma.

She had already graduated from high school and she was even at the top of her class. For Cecilia, her child graduating was already an achievement but Alina had been always exceeding her expectations. Her daughter was an honor student! It was already such a great reward for a parent like her.

Cecilia was so proud that Alina grew up like someone possessing great beauty and intelligence.

The same thing was happening in the family of the Wilsons. Vida also graduated at that time and just like Alina, she was also at the top of her respective class.

"You see this, Mom, Dad? I did it," she bragged to her parents with a smile plastered on her face.

But unlike what she was showing, it took her so hard to climb to the top of her class. It took countless nights staying up late, with nose bleeding just so she could secure the best for her parents.

"Congratulations, love. We are so proud of you," Emily mumbled softly and held her cheek.

"Dad is proud too, Vida." That time around, Oliver pulled her for a hug.

Far from what they know, it took Vida blood and sweat to attain those. Although her parents were not pushing her to do anything, she did all those just to impress them.

From the very beginning, she was so keen on making sure she was impressing her parents. Vida wanted their attention so bad, she wanted their time, she hoped that at least they would give her that once she let them see how good she was. That she was the best, that she was the perfect daughter.

***

Inside the prison where Robert was jailed for seventeen long years, Cecilia and her husband were facing each other.

There was an obvious fit of anger forming on Robert's face while talking with his wife. However, Cecilia had always been the same, she was still the same woman loving the monster and only looked at the good things that the man in front of her could offer.

"How fucking long do I have to stay here? Do you expect me to rot in jail, Cecilia?"

His deep running anger was already making him grew really impatient. Robert had waited almost half of his life. He sacrificed his youth in prison, he sacrificed years, and yet there were still no signs of going out! It was as if there was no hope of freedom.

His eyes were dead serious, he was so furious to the point that he would rather turn ballistic.

Biting her lips and looking at him with her tired eyes, Cecilia began speaking. "We already saved enough money to hire a lawyer, Robert... So don't worry. Soon enough, you will be out of prison."

Hearing that awakened all Robert's demons hiding deep within. It awakened his monster, his desires, and his greatest obsession.

Slowly, a grin escaped his lips as he thought of all the things he would do once he got out of the hell where his life pushed him.

'Once I come out of his pit, I will get you back, babe. I will be back to you, Emily...'

His deep-rooted obsession with Emily grew for years that he was inside. Instead of atoning for his sins, all he did was imagine the day he would finally get a hold of his freedom and finally be with Emily.

'Ah... I will surely take back what is rightfully mine. Oliver is nothing once I come back to get you, Emily,' he muttered deep inside.

He had the urge to smile evilly but he contained himself. For Robert, Emily had always been his. He knew that she still loved him, that up until that moment, no man could ever own his woman except him.

All those delusions kept him living, all those thoughts that were whispered by his monsters were the very reason why he chose to survive life in prison.

That even though life in jail was absolute hell, with all politics, the hierarchy, and violence inside— it was almost shocking how he lasted so long.

There was only one thing that Robert vowed to the very core of his heart. It was that once he went out of that damned prison, he would make sure to own Emily, the love of his life, again. He would live all the time remaining with her and his real daughter.

'Just wait for me, Emily.'

Once again, a smirk escaped his mouth.

On the other hand, Alina's heart was throbbing so hard out of joy after she read the email from the university where she applied.

"Mom!" She called her mother, who immediately went to where she was.

"Mom, I passed the scholarship program, oh my God!" she exclaimed with brimming tears of joy.

Her mother's eyes widened in shock and happiness for her. Cecilia also read the message in the email that was sent by West Grove University.

Alina could not believe that her dreams were already unfolding right before her eyes. It was just her dream to enter that university and yet, here was she now, getting the news that she was granted a full scholarship.

At first, she just tried to take the examination because somehow, she thought that there was nothing wrong with trying. But she did not accept that the result was good.

West Grove University was a prestigious university of the elites. Almost a hundred percent of their students were from wealthy families. Most were daughters and sons of tycoons, politicians, and well-known personalities.

"Goodness, I'm so happy for you!" Cecilia mumbled as she hugged her daughter. Proud was an understatement.

A lone tear fell from Alina's eyes but she quickly wiped it. Her heart felt so overwhelmed to the point that she could still not believe the news.

However, Cecilia had already expected that it would happen. Not just because she was proud of her, but because she knew that Alina had good scholastic records that would surely attract the people who would evaluate her.

Contrary to those who were almost celebrating in joy, Evelyn, who heard everything, was frowning that she could not help but butt in.

"University? Do you really need that?" Evelyn started, which made the two lose their smiles. "Isn't my medication the most important now? Your daughter doesn't need to go to college, Cecilia. That's just another addition to our expenses even if you say she's granted the full scholarship."

Cecilia was speechless hearing that from her mother-in-law. Of all things, she hated how Evelyn was too hot-headed towards Alina. That the old woman would always contradict what made her daughter happy.

She was about to speak again when Evelyn continued speaking.

"Just make her work so she can help her financially. She doesn't need education."

The pain lingered in Alina's heart when her grandmother said those things. Yes, she also wanted to help the family with the financial crisis, but she wondered if it was really worth it to sacrifice her education for that. She also had dreams... she also had her life.

James, who heard everything, sighed and decided to step up out of guilt.

"Mom, I can still pay for your bills well and I can still give some for our daily needs so you don't have to worry. Alina doesn't have to stop going to school."

The girl suddenly had the courage to speak after what she heard from her uncle James. So she smiled a bit and assured her grandmother. "Don't worry, Grandma. I will still try to do some part-time jobs while I am studying. By then, I will be attending college and also helping our family. You don't need to worry too much about our daily expenses."

That made Evelyn roll her eyes and shut up. Although she really hated the thought of sending the girl to college, she had no choice but not to stay anything seeing that everyone in the house was in favor of it.

Even James, her son, always favored his niece!

However, James was just treating her well because of the conscience left on him. That was the main reason why he always cared for Alina. For James, he thought that he owed the girl big time, especially after what he did in the past.

He was the sole reason why Alina was deprived of the good and comfortable life she should have. What made him more guilty was the fact that through the time and process, he had grown closer to the poor girl. He loved Alina as if she was his own child. That was also the reason why, while Robert was in jail, he acted like a father to her.

As a result of what they talked about at home, Alina's first day at West Grove University came to light.

While her eyes were roaming around the tall and amazingly designed building, she could not help but gasp. It was obvious how much time professionals spent just to make everything breathtaking. The university did live up to its popularity and luxuriousness.

But what she felt so lively about was wearing the uniform of the school. When she saw herself at the glass window from a meter away, she found herself looking good wearing that. She felt like she really belonged to everyone.

It was only in her dreams before to stepped in there or to even go to any college. Who would have thought that she would attain that dream and would even be able to study at that kind of university?

With that in mind, Alina promised deep inside that she would study hard, and she would work so hard just so in the future, she would land a job that would secure her future. Her biggest dream and the main reason why she chose to study was to give her family a good life, the life they deserved.

Her smile could not be erased as she walked down the lobby just to find the classroom for her first class.

While looking around, excited and also nervous, she almost squealed in shock when she bumped into someone. Her books fell and it created a sound, causing some of the students to look in their direction.

"Oh my God! I'm sorry!" She told the woman.

When her gazes met the young lady's eyes, she swallowed hard in apprehension. The student was raising her eyebrow while looking at her with taunting eyes.

"Next time, watch your steps. Don't act like a noob blocking other people's way," she muttered with a cold distant voice that made Alina shiver.

Before she could even speak for herself, the young lady already turned her back and walked away with her heels clicking at each of her steps.

The unexpected moment caught her off guard. She did not know how to react at first, but Alina convinced herself by thinking that it was her first that and it should be nothing but a good day. The small incident should not spoil her mood.

Slowly, she took a deep breath and crouched down so she could get the books that slipped in her grip.

She was already holding one of them when suddenly, a young man approached her. He sat down on his side and helped her get the books that were scattered on the floor.

It was another odd and awkward moment. But when he handed the books to her, she went back to reality and stood up straight as he did.

Alina smiled a bit. "Thank you," she mumbled softly.

The young man grinned and held the back of his neck as if he was shy, but when he composed himself, he offered his hand.

"Lucas," the man uttered his name.