Entwined Fates of the Two Daughters

Third Person's POV

There were a lot of life hurdles for someone poor like Alina. That was what she realized upon experiencing discrimination at West Grove University.

Bowing her head while entering their, class, she could clearly hear the murmurs around.

"She's a scholar? I heard she's poor."

"She has a full scholarship, they must be that financially stable."

"My Mom would not like me associating myself with the likes of her."

Those things were clearly heard and the students did not even bother to make their voices lower so she would not hear. They made her feel like she did not belong at all.

Deep inside, Alina tried to console herself by thinking that it was fine, not all people would like her. She was aware that she could not attain everything in life and it was already a big opportunity to study there.

Trying to act strong and trying to make her heart stronger, she tried to grasp the unfair reality of life.

That was why her life at the university was not sunshine and daisies. Ever since they all heard how poor she was, no one even dared to come near her or become her friend.

"Don't bother befriending her, she's poor."

That made her look at herself as she bit her lower lip. They were all wearing the same uniform but Alina could clearly feel the difference in their status. While all of them were from elite and rich families, she was nothing but a girl from the mud.

At the school cafeteria, she was eating alone compared to the other students. For that reason, she decided to place herself on the corner, where no one could barely take a glimpse of her.

Alina was already chewing her food when suddenly, a young man sat in front of her and put his tray of food on the table.

Her eyes widened a bit when she realized who it was. It was the same young man who helped her back on the first day of class.

Lucas smiled at her. "Hey, why are you alone?"

As she blinked, she tried to weigh the words she would say first but she realized there was no point hiding it.

"No one wanted to be with me because of my status in life. But it's fine, I came here to study so..."

Sad about her situation, Lucas tried to make the mood lighter by smiling once again.

"I knew someone you could be close to. Maybe you can befriend her?" He offered.

Chuckling, Alina shook her head. "No need, Lucas. I can manage."

She thought it would be the end of their conversation not until the young man started telling her his life story.

"Honestly, I also experienced a poor life back then. We just got lucky because my father worked hard for us to the point that he was able to build a company from the scratch. From then, it grew and that is also why I am now here."

There was awe in her when she heard that. It was indeed amazing how they were able to stand up from that life. Alina was sure that his father was hard working. Suddenly, she could not help but wonder if her father was there. Would he be able to do the same as well?

Then again, she brushed it off while looking at Lucas. She could not explain the feeling, but she was comfortable being with the man. Perhaps it was because, since the very first day, he was the only one who showed goodness to her.

"Anyway, what level are you on and your course?"

"Well... I'm a freshman taking Political Science. You see, I want to be a lawyer."

Her eyes shone while talking about her dream and that made Lucas gleam.

"Oh! The friend I was talking about earlier is in the same year. She's also taking Political Science. Maybe you are in the same class?"

Alina's eyes widened. Somehow, it made her excited. She could still not deny that it was also good to have friends with her.

"May I know who it is?" she asked hopefully.

"It's Vida Miller, do you know her?"

Just the sound of her name made Alina frown. She remembered how many times Vida became rude to her. They were in the same class and she had been so vocal about her hate of her social status. Vida was among the girls who did not want to be associated with her at all.

"She doesn't like me too like the others, Lucas," she simply said, no longer wanting to say more because the woman was his friend. It was not nice to say negative things about her.

"Vida is really nice... maybe she's just going through something right now. But really, I swear, she's kind."

Before Alina could utter another word to reply, someone from went near their table and stood there while looking at Lucas. Her eyes widened when she realized that the young woman was Vida.

Lucas noticed her presence and stood up.

"Hey, you're here," he mumbled to Vida who was still confused about why they were together.

Vida saw them when she entered the cafeteria and she was having a hard time comprehending why Lucas was associating himself with the poor newbie.

"I know you already know each other but Vida, this is Alina," he told Vida while pointing at her. "And Alina, this is the friend that I am talking about, Vida Miller," Lucas introduced the two together. His lips were arched up and both of the young women could tell that he was happy.

Rolling her eyes, Vida did not speak and instead, she grabbed her friend away from the table, leaving Alina behind.

When they got to the far corner where no student could hear them, she started speaking, there was annoyance laced in her voice.

"Why are you close with that poor girl?"

Hearing what she said, Lucas was offended. His eyebrows furrowed and the young woman noticed that making her gulp. She was scared that he would get angry at her.

"It's not nice treating people based on their status Vida. Does that mean you will also treat me differently when I'm still poor?"

The woman opened her mouth to say something but she ended up closing it because she did not know what to say.

"You should not judge others based on their status again, okay? You're better than that," he mumbled softly and ruffled her hair, making Vida frown.

"Alright. I'm sorry..." she mumbled and sighed.

"Promise me, you'll be good to Alina. She's a new student here and she needs a friend, Vida."

Although there was still a bit of reluctance in Vida's heart, she nodded slowly and bit her lower lip. She had been so in love with her friend, Lucas, ever since they were kids. The truth was, because of those feelings, she could do anything just to please him.

However, soon enough, she carried all his reminders with her. That was how Lucas could easily tame the dragon within Vida.

While they were in the class, Alina was busy writing her lessons while Vida was happy while talking with her friends. The situation was like that when the professor came, making them sit properly in their own seats.

"Before anything else, I would like to announce the upcoming quiz bee contest. The university had already chosen the participants of our school, and that would be Miss Miller and Miss Wilson. Both are from your class, congratulations," the professor announced and clapped her hands afterwards.

That also made the students follow and clap to celebrate the two getting chosen. Although some could not hide their mocking that a mere poor girl would represent such an elite school.

But not even a single mocking could taint her happiness at that moment. Alina was so happy that her heart was racing so fast. She could not believe she was chosen! And it was her first time joining a prestigious competition, making it more memorable for her!

She was containing all the excitement while inhaling sharply with her glowing eyes when Vida suddenly approached her.

The smile on Alina's face fell when she saw the young woman. She thought that Vida would also ridicule her, but to her shock, she did the opposite.

Vida offered her hand and for a moment, all she did was blink because of surprise.

"Partners?" the woman asked.

Completely surprised by the sudden turn of events, she accepted her hand, and finally, Alina smiled once again.

"Partners," she echoed.

Meanwhile, it was a long seventeen years. Years of grief, years of delusions, years of pain and hatred. Years of wanting freedom.

After a long process after they got a lawyer, Robert was finally free.

He inhaled the fresh air outside the prison with a smirk plastered on his face.

"Damn freedom," he murmured to himself.

As he was freed from the hell he was in for long years, it was also like giving freedom to the legion of demons that he carried and befriended while inside.

While others repented as they stayed in prison, Robert was the opposite. He became the worst he could be with all the delusions in his head.

"Wait for my Emily..." he whispered once again.

He was now back to get what was truly his—or what he believed was his.