"How could she?!" I asked.

"She can, Ian. There's nothing holding her back." She stated.

"Yet." I added.

"Maybe." She shrugged casually.

I shook my head and continued to drive towards the venue. Today was mom and dad's anniversary and we were celebrating it at one of our hotels.

I stopped the car outside the hotel and threw the keys towards the approaching valet and rounded the car to open the door for Cara.

"What did you get them?" she asked hooking her arm with mine.

"Hearing aid since they can't hear us over their constant arguing." I joked.

She laughed and shook her head as we went inside. We took the elevator and pressed the button for seventh floor.

"Shut up." Cara said all of a sudden.

I looked at her in a weird way and she chuckled in response, "Sorry, the voice in my head was telling me how dumb you are when it comes to love." She told.

I scoffed at her, "Right."

The elevator dinged indicating that we have reached and Cara nudged my shoulder while pointing in the direction of mum and dad who were busy gazing in each other's eyes.

I rolled my eyes with a small smile. Mom and dad had always been the most ideal couple for Cara, Chris and I as we grew up watching them fight, argue but also endlessly love each other at the end of the day. And I am sure that at least at one point, all three of us had wished to have what they have. As for Bella, I am sure she would have the same thoughts as well.

"Happy anniversary, mom and dad." Cara and I greeted simultaneously.

"Thank you." They replied hugging us one by one.

"Where's Chris?" I inquired.

"He is with his friends in the food corner." Mom replied pointing in the said direction.

I shook my head following her gaze and indeed he was standing there, talking with his friends and with a cinnamon roll stuffed in his mouth.

As soon as he sensed that I was looking at him, his head turned in my direction and he quickly swallowed the last bite and wiped his mouth before coming in our direction.

Mom and dad laughed at his antics as he walked with his head down. A smile threatened to break out on my lips but I held it back. As soon as he was in our reach, I held him by the ear and twisted it.

"When will you grow up?" I asked.

"I don't know but can you please leave my ear? My girl friends are watching." He pleaded.

I chuckled and released him saying, "Don't eat everything."

"He will eat everything, Ian. He always eats all my pop tarts." We heard a cute babyish voice.

I looked down to my side to see Bella standing there with an adorable pout on her face. I picked her up and she kissed my cheek.

"Hey Bella mia." I kissed her temple.

We stood there talking for another few minutes before zio Asher, Leo and Paul came and I excused myself to greet the arriving guests. I was conversing with one of our business partners when I saw Cara and Javier approaching.

I excused myself and met them both halfway. Javier and I hugged briefly, "Congratulations on the baby." I said.

He grinned and replied, "Thank you, uncle to be."

I chuckled and started talking to him about an incoming shipment when Cara nudged my elbow. I looked at her she nodded her head in the direction of the door. I followed her gaze and my breath got stuck in my throat as soon as I saw her standing at the door dressed in a short blush pink dress. She was talking to zia Shay and my eyes went to her hair that were curled at the ends. Between her collarbones, rested a small circular shaped diamond pendant making my lips twitch. The straps of her silver lace up heels made a zigzag pattern that ended just below her knees.

She looked delectable.

"Stop eye raping her." Cara joked snapping her fingers in front of my face.

I blinked away and looked down at Cara with furrowed brows, "I wasn't."

"Right." Javier coughed out.

I shot him a glare and he immediately cleared his throat trying to conceal his smug grin.

"Go and say hello." Cara probed.

"I am not a kid, Cara." I rolled my eyes at her.

"I know you're not, Ian, that's why I am saying." She smiled sweetly at me.

"Absolutely despise you." I muttered under my breath and left them there.

My eyes darted to her, once again, and she was greeting mom and completely ignoring dad who appeared extremely guilty.

I nearly laughed at the sight. Dad had always been the most confident person in a room and to see him fidgeting in front of a twenty-two years old was definitely a sight to behold.

"She looks beautiful, no?" Zio Leo asks.

"Uh huh." I nodded my head absentmindedly.

"Don't ever lose her, Adrian." He advised patting my shoulder.

I looked at him raising a brow, "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. She's a gem." He stated.

"I haven't even gotten her yet." I countered.

He chuckled, "You have no idea." he replied and left.

As soon as he left, her words started playing in my head. She said she loved me and that she can't do anything about it and also that it hurts.

I really wish I could take it all away. Press rewind and redo everything. Instead of leaving, just hold her in my arms.

Did she really mean it?

The guests kept arriving and we cut the cake afterwards. 'With you' by Tyler Shaw started to play and I looked around in search of a certain someone when I finally spotted her standing alone at the bar. I walked up to her and stood beside her.

She turned her head and looked at me, her lips parted slowly and before she could speak anything I asked, "Bored?"

She stopped swirling the champagne in her glass and nodded her head in agreement.

"Did you have it?" I asked taking the glass away from her.

She shook her head and I sighed internally in relief before placing the glass on the counter.

"I think I'll leave now." She mumbled and was about to turn around but I grabbed her by the elbow.

"Don't." I whispered.

She looked up at me in a questioning manner so I decided to ask, "Would you dance with me?"

She blinked rapidly before clearing her throat and nodding her head, "Okay."

I took her to the dance floor and wrapped my arms around her waist before pulling her closer. She hooked her arms around my neck and bit her lip after looking away.

"I heard you plan on leaving for New York once there's no more threat." I spoke making her look at me wide eyes.

She gulped and nodded her head.

"Why?" I asked.

She shrugged her shoulders and rested her head against my chest, "I don't want to live here."

"Why not?" I questioned enjoying the warmth enveloping us.

"I don't know, Adrian." She replied looking up at me.

"Stay, Sia." I whispered tucking her hair behind her ear.

Her eyes closed for a brief moment and she leaned in my touch before shaking her head, "I can't. There's no reason to stay."

She looked at something over my shoulder and frowned, "Adrian." She whispered and her eyes darted to the ceiling once again.

"What's wrong?" I asked but before I could even blink, she pushed me away and ran in a certain direction.

I turned around to look at her running towards Selena who was talking on phone and her back was turned on us. In a second, Sia pushed Selena out of the way and before she could completely move away herself, the chandelier came crashing down on her followed by the sound of multiple gunshots.