—Two years ago

“I will be leaving now” Loren announces, sliding his bag over his shoulder.

I nod, half-distracted while stuffing my gear into my own bag. The exhaustion from practice is finally catching up to me, the adrenaline that kept me going during the match has been long gone leaving me with pain.

“It looks like it will rain soon. Try to get home before it starts” Loren calls out, giving me a wave before heading out of the locker room.

“Yeah, you too” I reply, zipping up my bag and throwing it over my shoulder. The halls are mostly empty now, the campus has fallen silent. The sky outside has become grey

As I step into the parking lot, I spot my family’s car parked a few steps away from mine. The driver was standing beside it, waiting patiently. Probably for Jasmine.

“Hello, Mister Williams” he greets me with a polite smile. “Evening” I reply, looking back at the building “She’s not back yet?” . He shakes his head “Miss Jasmine said she had some extra work today”

“It's been two hours since her classes ended, she is too late” I mutter, under my breath but he seemed to catch onto the words. I extend my bag towards him “Please take care of this, i will look for her” I say, watching him take the bag and keep it inside the car.

I turn around and start walking back to the campus, the buildings might start getting closed soon. This girl is just reckless.

I pull out my phone, trying to search for her number which she has never given me. Aunt Lia forwarded it to me a while ago when we were coming to university in the same car but due to different timings I decided to bring my own car instead of sitting with her on an awkward journey.

I wouldn't have even gotten a new car if she hadn't ruined my previous one with those unwashable lipstick stains.

Finally, I found her number. Before I could dial it, I heard a familiar voice calling my name. I pause, a sudden chill runs down my spine when I turn around to see my uncle walking over to me. A subtle frown on his face which he tries to hide with a fake smile

“Lucas! It's been a while” he says with a restrained tone. I force my lips to curve up, not hiding the fact that his presence annoys me, I quickly shove my phone inside my pocket which he seem to have noticed “you haven't been picking up my calls” he states

Why should I be?

He has barely been around. Even during holidays, he made it painfully obvious I wasn’t really one of them — always doting on Liam and Mia but never me. He knew I wasn’t their biological kid and he never missed a chance to remind me.

After Dad’s death, he didn’t even look my way. But now suddenly, for the past few weeks has been trying to contact me. It isn’t about family. I can feel it. Especially since he is here at the campus instead of at home.

For a second I doubted he was with the people who caused Liam and Stella trouble but he isn't.

As he came to meet me here instead of home

And brought an unknown woman

“My phone has been acting up” I lie, my voice neutral. The lie is obvious, he saw me using it. Hopefully, he gets the hint.

He raises his eyebrow, unimpressed by my excuse. It was clear on his expression “hm seems like you are too busy to stay in contact” he says, nodding his head slowly. “I am, glad you got that, so now if you will excuse me, then I will just—”

“Are you that busy to even meet your mother?”

I stare at him in stunned silence, then my gaze shifts to the woman beside him. She stands nervously, her fingers fidgeting together. Her blue eyes look back at me with uncertainty, the same eyes as mine. She is younger than Mom, probably in her mid-thirties.

“What is that supposed to mean”

Elias exhales slowly, clearly pleased by my reaction “I will be straightforward. This is Alinta — your biological mother. She wanted to reconnect, so I brought her here” He says gesturing to my supposedly real mother

“And? What am I supposed to do with that information?” I ask, my voice raising slightly, I don't try to glance at her until she makes a moment to step forward in my direction.

“Lucas…” she speaks for the first time, voice trembling slightly “I know this isn’t ideal. I recently found out that you already know about your adoption. Otherwise, I would have come to you earlier to apologize—”

My hands curl up into a fist, a sudden wave of anger building inside me “Apology accepted” I reply sharply “I will get going then” she suddenly grabs my hand, making me instantly jerk it back and move away creating some distance.

“I know you are angry and hurt but I just wanted you to hear me please?” she requests, her tone dropping to a desperate one.

I take a deep breath, my head feeling heavier "I don't wanna hear it. You have been out of my life forever so maybe let it be that way?”

“Lucas…please” she pleads, her voice cracking slightly. Seeing her overwhelmed and in pain makes me feel guilty but I don't think I could handle anymore of this stress. Not today at least.

“Lucas, I think you should go with her” Elias says, interjecting in . My eyebrows furrow in confusion “What?”

He nods casually, like he is discussing the weather “You heard me. James adopted you, but he is gone now. You should be with your real family. Alinta needs you. Try to understand her”

Alinta’s head snaps toward him, her expressions horrified “Don’t say that! I don’t want him to leave them. I know they are his family now but I just wanted to stay in touch… maybe meet Mrs Williams, thank her for raising him—”

“You don’t need to meet her” I snap “She doesn’t know that I know. And I want it to stay that way. She is still grieving Dad’s death, and our family’s already been through enough. I don’t want your presence to reopen old wounds”

Seeing her would only remind Mom of everything she lost — her husband, her son

She is still healing from their death even though she might not show it. And after everything that has happened with Liam and Stella, it has sent our family into deeper pain. Liam is doing better with Stella on his side, i dont want him to know of this either.

“I will talk to Emily” Elias says, stepping forward. “It's the best for everyone, she can't be still taking care of you forever. It will be shocking but they all will understand” he says, waving his hand dismissively.

My jaw tightens at his monotone, the same one when he talked to me about my adoption. He talked about it very simply, commenting about how dad made a bad decision adopting me from an unknown woman out of pity. He told these to me while I cried in front of him, looking pathetic.

“Either, you take her away quietly or I will file a restraining order against you both” I warn, very seriously. I am done with him, at a moment I wanted to understand him, accepting a non blood related person isn't easy, I wouldn't have minded his ignorance if he didn't show up like this suddenly.

He looks at me in disbelief “Lucas! How can you say that? She is your mother”

I glance at her, feeling the weight of my emotions guiding me instead of my mind “She might have raised me but she isn't my mom. She had officially handed my rights over to Williams so she doesn't have the right to come back now!”

“I was helpless then” she cries out, tears streaming down her face. The clouds roar above us, tiny droplets falling on us “I couldn't afford to raise you, I was very young and had no support! What was I supposed to do? The williams were rich, i heard about the situation and thought maybe you could get a life I could never give you”

“I don't resent you for what you did. For years I thought of each possibility, why you gave me up, why they adopted me. You did what you felt right, they did what they felt right but between everything I was kept in the dark, I feel like I don't belong anywhere, if I am just a replacement to what they lost. I am trying to forget those days of my life and move on so why do you need to suddenly come trying to reconnect?"

My words make her shoulder lump down, her head hands low as the rain pours down on us. Elias keeps his hand on my shoulder

“James and Emily was devastated when they lost their son, they weren't thinking of adopting but hearing her situation they agreed. That time they were focused on raising you instead of wondering how to tell you. They selected Lucas, to make you have a bright future. James always wanted to give my name to his son because we shared a strong bond thats why elias is your middle name” he explains, his hand squeezes my shoulder

“I didn't like the idea of welcoming a new member right after losing someone. You weren't a replacement but a bridge that gave them hope to continue” he says, his voice dropping lower. I feel my eyes getting warmer and moist, the memories of dad flooding my mind.

Only if he was here

“But one day or the other everyone should know. You got to know by accident but it should be talked out and cleared. It's better if you just accept her as your mother, it's good for everyone. And after Liam and Mia knowns, I think they would also need time to process and space, meanwhile you can know your real family—”

“Just shut up!” I snap, his hand drops from my shoulder as he steps back, Alinta’s eyes widens, I could notice her flinching slightly as she also moves back. “You both came not thinking about me but for your own benefits, don't pretend to care now” I feel like I am gonna collapse. “Just stay out of my life”

I turn and walk away, rain pouring harder, my chest constricting painfully. My breaths grow shallow, my head pounding with every step. The air feels too heavy, like I am trying to breathe underwater.

I stumble back into the building, fully soaked and dizzy. The fluorescent lights buzz faintly overhead, the sound distant and hollow. My vision blurs.

I can't waste my energy. I try to take slow and deep breaths but it's not making me feel right. My mind starts to feel blank, trying to make me forget.

“Lucas?”

The voice is faint but I know it's Jasmine

I hear a breathy sound, I turn trying to make out the source. I see her near the stairs, calling my name repeatedly. A sharp pain shoots through my head making me groan internally but I can't form words in my mouth. Is that jasmine? My eyes narrow as I continue to hear her call me but my vision is almost darkened.

I stumble into the locker room, barely making it to my locker. My fingers tremble as I yank the door open, grabbing the small bottle and tossing a few pills into my mouth. I crouch down, pressing my head against the cool metal door, trying to steady my breathing.

My hands are wet, shaking as I reach for my phone. The screen won’t unlock. I wipe it on my sleeves, desperately. The medicine hasn’t kicked in yet and panic is clawing up my throat.

Finally I see the screen properly and text june

Jasmine near libry

Need helpquick

“You need to listen to me” I plead, following my father into the study, Veer and ma follow behind me.

“Its better for them to leave. I am not happy with whatever happened today” he replies, not even turning to face me. Veer steps beside me, gesturing me to calm down.

How can I calm down when everything seems to be falling apart?

I might have tried to predict what Lucas wanted to tell me but seeing him always struggle to bring that topic, I decided to not think about it until he is ready.

Never in a million years I would have thought about this being that. He was struggling about how to speak that but now kavya just said it randomly and in such an insensitive manner.

I'm shaken, I would have never wondered that. If I am feeling this way then how might Lucas be feeling? He was already scared about my opinion, I didn't even have time to assure him. Everything has been happening so fast since yesterday.

“Look, I know you are angry” I start, trying to keep my tone calm “I take full responsibility for lying to you all—”

“It’s not about that” Papa cuts in sharply “I don’t trust Lucas anymore”

I feel a rise of anger building inside me “Why? Because he is adopted? How can your opinion on him change after knowing that? He is still the same person!”

Papa finally turns to face me, eyes narrowing. “He has been lying to you, Jasmine. He hid his true identity. How am I supposed to trust someone who deceives us about something so important? Maybe he had other motives for coming here”

I raise my eyebrow “So you are believing in Kavya's words more than mine?”

“You have lied too, Jasmine” he says coldly “And quite well” His words sting. My throat tightens with guilt, I lower my gaze feeling the disappointment and anger.

Veer notices my expressions and sighs “Papa, she already explained everything. I was a witness, she did that because of my suggestion. Please let go off that matters” he requests.

Papa waves his hand in denial “No. I don’t think he is right for her. I asked for one simple thing — a good man from a good family. You don’t even know who his family is! How can I let you go with someone who doesn’t have security in a family that isn’t even real?”

“They are his family!” I snapped “That's his family okay? Even after knowing he is adopted it doesn't change a single thing about them, they will still love him. Most importantly, I will still love him”

“Jasmine” Ma whispers softly, coming to hold my hand "Please calm down. Both of you” she requests, looking at me and my father.

Papa turns to her in frustration “Are you listening to her, Radha? She is blinded by emotions. It might seem fine now, but what about later? Families like that—” He pauses, softening his tone but his voice still carries the firmness “I am speaking from experience. If he ever has to part ways with them, what will happen to her? I can’t risk her future because she fell for someone in a few weeks”

My shoulder lump down hearing him, I slip my hand away from ma’s. His judgement is clouded with anger and moreover fear, I know where he is coming from, his fights with his own brother had made him conflicted.

But Liam and Lucas aren't like that.

I look up at him, trying to defend him but he stops me. “I don't wanna hear any reasons. I can't accept him. It's better for you to cut ties with him”

“Why can't you? Just because he is adopted ? is that all that matters, how does being adopted makes him an outcast? You guys didn't say anything when veer—” I quickly shut my mouth, feeling disgusted of how my anger was almost gonna make me bring up aryan into this matter when veer cleared stated that it shouldn't be talked about “I am sorry” I mutter

“Ma papa knows about Kunal, that's led to some arguments but they accepted it” Veer reveals, trying to say it in a low whisper but this room is very silent enough to make them hear.

The information makes me slightly shocked but the way papa is reacting, it was necessary for the truth to be told about aryan too.

“That was a different case and this is totally different. It's about your life” papa says

“Yeah exactly!” I take a step forward “It’s about my life. So I will decide okay? I am not leaving him”

He takes a deep breath, rubbing his template as he takes a seat. Veer looks at him and back at me, a hint of worry crossing his face as he shakes his head. I know I shouldn't be stressing him this much but I just wish for him to understand me.

“Jasmine, thodi deer aaram se, thande dimag se soochlo” ma suggests, rubbing my back, the comforting gesture does nothing to ease me.

[Translation - Jasmine, take sometime, think with a cool mind]

I look at her, hoping for some support from her atleast “aap bhi papa ki baat se sehmat ho? Aapko toh lucas bahut accha laga that!”

[Translation - are you also agreeing with what dad is saying? You liked Lucas very much!]

She lets out a sigh “haan lekin woh phele tha. Tumhare papa ku bhi lucas pasand aya tha. Lekin yeh bahut complicated hai Jasmine, parivaar ttot jate hai in baton se. Tumhare papa ku tumhari hi fikar hai, hum sab ku hai nahi toh hum kabhi mana karte”

[Translation - Yes but it was before, even your father liked him. But it has become complicated now, Jasmine. Families break because of these. Your father is worried about you, we all are or else we would have never denied you]

“Aaploh kyun aisa bol rahe ho?” I ask, my voice cracking slightly. Why are they just stuck on that one thing, nothing even happened yet. It wouldn't change anything so why are they just so persistent about a future that isn't sure to happen?

[Translation - Why are you all saying that!

“You are still young, you need to think about it carefully” papa says, taking a sip of water. I walk over to him, “please at least talk to them. Lucas will clear your doubts, Liam will ensure those things won't happen, just once”

✄┈┈

“What do you mean they left?” I almost yell, my chest tightens with a fear of anxiety. They actually left? I thought they would stay, talk it out? Something? Just leaving without a word.

I pull out my phone, dialing Lucas's number and it goes to voicemail, then Stella's and Liam's but it's of no use. It says the same

“Did they say something?” Veer asks

Maya shakes her head “I don't know. They went to their rooms after you all left. I was trying to send that old man and kavya away. After sometime something happened upstairs and there was commotion and soon they left, they didn't even take their luggage” She replies, making me turn and look at her “Not even their luggage?”

“Maybe they went somewhere nearby” ever guesses

I shake my head “They have no idea about this place, I don't think they will risk going out without anyone”

Maya waves her hand remembering something “No no! Laim was talking something about flight. I did try to ask them but Stella only replied, it seemed like she was crying, she said that she will contact you soon. It seemed like an emer

gency that they left so soon”

Oh gosh

My mind gets filled with worse scenarios