"I see..." Jade replied softly.

"I don’t know Jade. I don’t..." I exhaled. "I-I don’t know what to believe anymore."

"I get it, really. It’s sort of confusing when everyone has something to say about your life to the point it literally becomes that, but hey..." She reached out and held my hand. "As you said, they are nasty... so let it be just that."

"That’s the thing, it can’t be just that."

"Then find the truth."

"The truth?"

"Yes! In the end, the truth is all that matters. So find it and clear whatever those nasty things are."

"It’s not that simple, Jade."

"Why?"

"Because..." I wavered, gritting my teeth. "What if there’s no truth to begin with and the nasty things are real and I’ve spent my life being naive?"

Her expression softened. "But it beats living in a tempest, right? Beat being torn and not knowing what is right or wrong. That shit makes you make chaotic decisions or possibly detonate you."

I snorted.

"You get what I mean, right?"

I nodded.

"So! Find the truth or just stay and let everyone say whatever shit they get lying around? Suckers take advantage of that situation."

"How...." I paused as something clicked at that moment.

I sat up abruptly. I know what to do!

"I’m sorry, I need to go."

"No worries there, something tells me you got that moment of truth kinda thing."

"Thank you, Jade." I was about to leave, but I stopped midway.

"Need more guru talk?"

"Actually... I need your number."

"Whoa! Buy me a drink first."

"I-I didn’t mean it like that."

She giggled. "Come on, can’t you take a joke? Give me your phone."

My smile grew wider as I pulled it out from my bag and handed it to her.

"Uno reverse. I should be asking for your autograph or something, but here I am giving you my number."

I rolled my eyes as I took my phone back.

"Don’t call me, sugar. I fucking hate taking calls."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

I’m gonna guess she’s joking.

~☆~

It’s been a while.

The sight of the harbour quarter resulted in a squeezing sensation in my chest because this was basically where I grew up.

As I passed some streets and shops... I could see myself, Annabeth, and Jacob. The memories unlocked, and they felt so real.

I had to force my eyes back to the road to keep from drowning in them.

After a few more minutes, I got to the estate... my car pulled up at the gates, where I saw the guards.

As they approached, the car window rolled down automatically.

Surprise crossed the man’s gaze when he saw me. He turned to his partner, who shared the same look.

"Hi fellas... a lovely noon."

"Ms. Morri—I mean Mrs. Salvero. What are you—"

"Open the gates..." I said, averting my gaze as the glass rolled up.

He shared one more glance with his partner before he nudged his head. I could discern the hesitancy in their actions, but that was none of my business.

They could either open this damn gate or I’m gonna cause a ruckus.

When the gates parted, I drove in, catching sight of the manor that looked newly refurbished.

I scoffed. Why am I not surprised?

I guessed that my father had already taken his sweet time. That man was shameless, spending the money he got from selling me off.

That greedy old fool.

I pulled up at the entrance and got out, the harsh wind coming through and the loud sounds of seagulls.

Home sweet home.

I took off my sunglasses and walked to the entrance. I pushed the door open, eyeing everything. I could barely recognize this place, but I still knew my way around.

He can change the damn walls and add in whatever expensive things he could get his hands on, but that won’t take away the originality.

As I strode the hallways, I caught the maid’s eyes flying toward my direction, some a bit surprised, and others confused.

I see he had gotten them all back, well, most of them. There were new faces. I bet his account was brimming with money now, and he had no trouble hiring new and old staff.

I made my way straight to the second floor, ignoring all the eyes and attention. When I got to my destination, I halted at the door, releasing a breath before I grabbed the doorknob and pried it open easily.

I expected it to be locked.

I stepped into the room, a sense of nostalgia hitting me hard. Everything remained untouched, still in place, even though it had been two years.

Annabeth’s things were never packed. Jacob would come in here everyday. I thought it was because he missed her, but now I saw it from a whole different perspective.

Sometimes I wonder why my father didn’t box her things... maybe he didn’t even consider it.

The maids have kept this place spotless, and it was almost as if I could feel her spirit. I traced my hands on the furniture before I grabbed the picture frame near the nightstand.

It was the two of us, our lips pursed cutely. I smiled at the memory; this was taken years ago when we went to the theme park. Jacob took the photo.

My heart couldn’t take this... I have always avoided coming into this room, but I had to do it.

I set the picture frame down and dropped to my knees, checking the drawers.

When I didn’t find what I was looking for, I searched for another place I could think of. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Where is it?

I was sure she kept it somewhere around here... she always had that thing with her, and every time I would walk in on her using it.

I went to her closet, basically turning it upside down in a desperate search.

By the time I was done, her once spotless room was in complete disarray.

I can’t find Annabeth’s diary.