After several failed attempts at getting into her daughter's bedroom, Judith was contemplating dialling Alia's number against her husband's wish when she heard a familiar voice downstairs.
"Huh! Isn't that..." She hurried toward the upper landing rail. "... Alia?"
"Hi, Auntie." Alia looked up, waving enthusiastically.
Behind her was Maria, beaming sweetly. And beside her was Henry speaking to Michael.
"Hello Judith." Maria chuckled at Judith's animated, alard expression.
"Good evening, Mrs Hunt." Henry greeted next, also waving at her.
"Hello... everyone." Judith waved back, unsure if she was hallucinating.
"I'm coming to you." Alia slowly climbed up the stairs, closely followed by her mother-in-law, while Henry and Michael stayed back.
"This is unbelievable... I was just thinking of calling you." Judith hurried towards the stairs to welco them properly.
"Well, here I am." Alia giggled.
Judith's suspicious gaze briefly flickered to Michael accusingly.
"Or soone decided to..."
"No, mum. I wasn't the one who called her." Michael raised both his hands in the air, causing a ripple of laughter.
"Then who did?"
"Must soone call before I check on my amazing family?" Alia teased, approaching her aunt with her arms wide open.
"Of course not, sweetheart." Judith embraced Alia, kissing her on either side of her cheek. She also hugged Maria briefly before returning her attention to Alia, stroking her baby bump fondly.
"You glow every single day, darling."
"Thanks, Aunt."
"How is he?"
"Kicking and having so much fun in there."
All three won burst out laughing until Alia's slightly worried eyes shifted upwards.
"I'm guessing you've spoken to Sarah." Judith queried, following Alia's gaze.
"Yes, and I need to be with her right now."
"Can I co?" Judith pleaded.
"Give us so ti alone together first."
Alia stressed, winking at her aunt.
"Alright, second mummy and thanks for always being there for her."
"You are welco, Aunt." Alia left Judith and Maria for Sarah's bedroom. She had barely knocked when the door lock clicked open.
"Really!" Judith exclaid, hands akimbo, as she watched the door open to Alia. "I've been knocking on that door for the past hour."
"Girl power!" Alia blew kisses at her aunt before disappearing into the room, closing the door behind her. She almost lost her balance as Sarah dived into her awaiting arms, forgetting that she was pregnant.
"I'm sorry." Sarah quickly released Alia, helping her regain her balance.
"It's fine. Co here." Alia pulled Sarah into her arms, embracing her tenderly like an elder sister, while Sarah cried like a baby.
"Just let it out. I'm here for you." Alia stroked Sarah's hair, kissing the centre of her head.
They both walked to the bed and sat down, with Sarah still sobbing silently and resting her head on Alia's chest.
"Feeling better?" Alia cooed softly, and Sarah nodded.
"Do you want to tell what is wrong?"
Sarah nodded her head again in reply, lifting her face up to look into Alia's eyes.
"I'm so angry at everyone." She said, her voice slightly hoarse and raspy.
"Including ?" Alia used her handkerchief to wipe Sarah's tears.
"Minus you."
"Ah...thank goodness! Little Darian was already putting on his boxing gloves." Alia grinned, rubbing her baby bump.
Both won burst out laughing at the sa ti.
"I'm sorry you feel this way about everyone." Alia took Sarah's hand into hers, stroking the lines on her palm lovingly.
Sarah stared into her older cousin's eyes, searching for sothing.
"Henry spoke to you, right?"
Alia always knew Sarah was very smart, especially at reading people mind. She nodded, smiling at the affection in Sarah's voice as she ntioned Henry's na.
"He shouldn't have followed , no matter what Michael told him. He should have respected my wish and stayed back." Sarah turned her gaze away, her voice laced with her fading ire.
"I understand how you feel, sweetheart. But I also know that if it hadn't been for Michael's persistent and Henry's swift action, you would have beco the victim of a pervert fantasy."
Sarah lowered her gaze, fresh anger bubbling through her veins at the thought of Sebastian barging into the changing room while she was half-naked.
"I do not doubt your strength as a resilient, smart and beautiful young woman. I know you can always take care of yourself. But then we all need each other to stay safe and be strong. No man or woman can function as an island in this ssed-up world. I can tell you this for free because I have been a victim of betrayal, deceit, and kidnapping. I almost got raped twice by psychotic lunatics. I almost died in that pitch black river if Blaze hadn't shown up at the right ti." Alia lifted Sarah's chin up.
"You have no idea what you bother passed through when you were kidnapped. The nightmares, the heartache and the fear of losing you, his only sibling. Michael loves you so much, and the last thing he would ever want is to see you hurt a second ti. It will devastate him. So please don't be mad at him. Don't be mad at Henry. We all need soone to always watch our backs. We can't do it all by ourselves."
Sarah nodded her head, fresh tears streaming down her face. She embraced Alia again and whispered.
"Thank you."
"You are always welco," Alia whispered back.
"Did Henry co with you?" Sarah asked, pulling away from Alia's arms.
"Yes. He is downstairs. But you don't have to see him today if you're not ready."
Sarah smiled. "I would like to see him."
"Then, I guess you need to wash your face." Alia gestured at Sarah's slightly swollen eyes.
"Okay." Sarah climbed down from the bed and left for the bathroom while Alia lay back on the bed, scanning the warm and cozy room
The harmonious blend of purple and white painting decor around the room exuded a vibrant energy and serene purity.
The way the lights fell softly on so of the artistic musical paintings evoked a sense of calm, sophistication, and a touch of magic.
But what caught Alia's attention the most was the bedside ornantal vintage constellation music box. She slowly sat up, picking up the music box.
Turning the winding key slowly, the room instantly ca alive with a lodious sound and the magical blend of light glowing from within the box.
"So beautiful." Alia felt her heart twirl like the spinning ballerina.
"It was a gift from Henry." Sarah re-entered the room quietly, beaming.
"Aww! It's so beautiful." Alia smiled.
"I know, and that is why I went shopping to get him a gift to say thank you for everything he has done for ." Sarah leaned her head on the bathroom door.
"Ah!" Alia cupped her mouth, her eyes widening.
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