bChapter /b12

ALINA’S POV

“Enough of this mushy shit. Let’s get down to business.”

She downed her whiskey in one go, making meugh.

She always feels awkward when things get too emotional

Some things never change, I guess.

“I want revenge.” I told Talia, running my fingers through Fluffy’s soft fur as she snuggledfortably into myps, already dozing off

“I want Adrian and Seraphina to bpay /bfor every pain they’ve caused me. I want the whole Dawn family to pay for how they’ve treated bme/bb. /bfor using me as a stepping stone for their daughter. I want them to hurt just like I have.”

My tone darkened with each word that left my lips, the resentment I was feeling seeping through.!--

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Talia looked at me, shock and confusion creasing her face.

How did they hurt you, bAlly/b? What’s happening?”

Her voice wasced with concern, but I couldn’t trante the words into ba /bcoherent sentence

“Fine.” She said, picking up on my hesitation. “For some reason, you can’t tell me what’s going bon/b, and I understand.”

I shot her a grateful smile.

“What’s the n, though?”

“I don’t know.” bI /badmitted. “But I sure as hell am bdone /bwith Seraphina taking credit for my designs, that’s for bsure/bb./bb” /b

“Damn right, girl,” Talia’s tone shifted to excitement. “It’s about bdamn /btime. I’m tired of that slut prancing around every red carpet she can find, not only wearing but balso /btaking credit for something she couldn’te up with even in her next life. So, are you bgoing /bbto /bsue theirpany?”

“No.” I bsaid/b, causing a frown to appear on her face.

“Why the hell not?” She asked, not liking my response,

“They can keep those designs. I was a ghost designer, so fighting them for ownership would be btoo /bstressful band /bmessy.” Lexined. “I have a better idea”

“Okayb./b” She trailed off, waiting for me to continue.

“I’m going to start my Fashion line.“I announced

“Really?” Her tone was filled with excitement and surprise.

“Yes, I confirmed. “But I still need to y the meek, adoptive daughter to the Dawn family. I’ll keep designing for them, but it won’t be anything major that can make waves. I’ll remain anonymous for the time being, supporting Seraphina while shepetes with the newest arch nemesis in the bindustry/b. me.” I said with a cruel smile.

“bWow/b, you are brutal.” Taliaughed. “I don’t know how this new you came to be, but I love it.” She dered.

“What do you need help with She questioned, eager to be part of the bn/b.

“I need you to do what you’re bgood /bat, bhack /bI want you to make things difficult for both Dawn and Adrian’spanies and get rid of any hindrances I may encounter. I told her hopefully.

“That’s all?” She sounded surprised. “That’s like taking candy from a baby, bI /bwas expecting a more challenging task. Consider it done.” She told me, making me smile.

When byou /bdecide to let the world know you’re the new designer making bv /b

Her question made my eyes widen in shock.

bwaves/b, are you going to also announce that you’re Astra?”

“Wh whatb?/b” I stuttered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I denied, avoiding her gaze.

How did she know? Astra was a secret identity 1 created to escape reality. Nobody knew Astra was me, they didn’t even know what gender I was. All the world knew was that Astra was a world–renowned jewelry designer. Every fashion designer out there wanted to work with me.

Not to brag or anythingb, /bbut my jewelry designs were in a lot of high–end jewelry stores all over the world.

“Don’t even. Alina,” Talia rolled her eyes bin /ba bored tone. “You’re forgetting what I do for a living, right?”

Of course How bcould /bI have forgotten? She was a hacker, for crying out loud.

“How long have you known?” I asked in a softer tone.

“That’s not important right now. The question is, why didn’t you tell me, and how long do you n on keeping it a secret from the world?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “I just don’t want to let the world know for now

Astra was mine, and I wanted to be selfish and keep it that way for as long as I could.

Fair enough. She shrugged. “So, what now?

“Well, now I’m going to go pay my darling Adrian a visit at the hospital.” I told her with a smile, watching her face contort into rage.

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?!”

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