1 WEEK LATER

(Lila's P.O.V)

"You can be discharged today!!" Nora looked like she was going to cry.

"Yeah well, she had to pay for keeping secrets." Warren shot me a sharp look. He may or may not have been a bit irritated that I'd been planning to risk myself all along.

To be honest, I'd been too preoccupied by my plans of revenge and facing Roy to be worried about my status of life. But I'd certainly not been aiming to die. Or get a surgery because of the abdominal stab wound that touched my liver.

But this was reality.

I frowned playfully, "Hey, it's the other way round. You guys already knew I was The Wildcat."

Michael scratched his brow. "It wasn't hard to realize that you know? If we didn't, we'd have been really dumb. I mean, you never came to Blue with us, especially to watch The Wildcat and it's not like we didn't try finding you. You had mysterious bruises at times and you'd gotten better only after Blue started and Diego came here." He shrugged. "It wasn't too hard to figure out, Lila. Really. We just didn't confront you because we wanted to give you time and space."

"I think you gave her too much of time and space, though." Rebecca snickered, her outfit stylish while I wore a hospital bag for clothes.

"You're one to speak." Nora nudged her and Rebecca cringed.

I smirked, "Yeah, Leopard, don't be too mouthy."

She rolled her eyes.

Secret identities, my foot. The people in this room new everything.

Well, the cat was out of the bag anyways and I loved that me and my friends were no longer hiding anything from each other. The ordeal had made us a tighter group and I was even coming to accept Rebecca

Rebecca who'd been The Leopard.

Although I didn't know her entire stroy, she did reveal to us that her father had been involved in the Cosa Nostra's work and she was being blackmailed by them. Derek told me how he'd seen her deliver the letters through RIck and she accepted it. She apologized to me about her actions and the pain she knowingly put me through but I guess I could understand the place she was coming from. Her home life was in turmoil and survival must have been on her mind.

But I think the easy forgiveness came from the fact that Rebecca had been helping my cause too. Diego had told her to do something as a signal because he'd predicattaed that they'd be caught by Roy's men and intentionallymade Ana and Rebecca cross paths. And Rebecca had turned the tables, firing a shot that alerted Diego.

It was pretty smooth to be frank.

I'd noticed how most of the adults in our town had been on the wrong side of the law, doing wrong things and had pretty much ruined their children's lives. Maybe they did it out of greed, maybe because they wanted to give their families a better life but all it ended up doing was suck them down the wrong path and into a life that ruined not just them but their entire families.

Michael, Rebecca, Veronica.

It was sad. Pitiful.

Derek's hands settled on my shoulders and it was a comforting touch I adored. "I think it was pretty cool how you suppressed Ana, just to be honest."

If he wasn't hurt and didn't have one of his hands wrapped in gauze from the knife wound, I'd have liked to hurt him there all over again but alas.

Rebecca's lips tilted upwards and...I don't think she's completely over Derek. Warren glanced at her and then me, his smile softeneing with something I couldn't describe.

I frowned and shot Derek a look. He winked down at me but worry for me still lined his face. Exhaustion was hidden under each of our smiles and so was the weight of truth. Faces gaunt and energy drained. We'd all gotten a few days off school though so I guess that was a plus.

Official story was that a week ago, some of the children AKA us got caught up in an undercover FBI operation to arrest people from the Cosa Nostra who were in Ladenhill. It sparked up quite the fuss and buzz.

It was also revealed that Mellisa Waterbrook's death was a murder that took place at their hands two years ago. My witness testimony, the threatening letters and recorded words of the Gambinos themselves served as enough evidence to convict them.

"Do you know Veronica dropped by too?" Warren rose a brow. I mimicked his surprise.

"Is that why Cam isn't here right now?" My question was met with a snicker of agreement.

"Pretty much half the town visited." Derek dryly commented as he helped me into the wheelchair.

"I don't think I need a wheelchair-"

"What you need is therapy, I agree." Rebecca gave me a look. "And maybe something more flattering than a blue hospital gown."

"Right? I knew it." I nodded to myself.

"Here, have some food." Michael dropped a box of fruits on my lap. "Happy Discharge Day, I guess."

I smiled softly and looked at all of them. "Thanks, guys."

"What are friends for?" Nora smiled.

"Certainly not getting into trouble together." My mother stood at the door with a disapproving frown.

I exhaled. She was pretty pissed if you couldn't tell. But only because she was worried and cared. I got it and I appreciated it.

In fact, I was still pretty much stuck in the moment from a week ago.

I still can't understand how Diego got away with explaining to my parents that we kids were just unfortunate enough to get caught in the crossfires of this case and I was a small casualty. Maybe it was the FBI badge and all that but it worked wonders for sure.

Even though I was covered in a hundred different wounds, especially because Roy's rings had dealt me some heavy damage.

"Hey, Mom."

"Hi, Mrs Smith." All of them chorused and she huffed.

"I told you to call me Coral." Mom walked in with a jacket and draped it over my shoulders. "It's second week of October now and it's cold outside."

I nodded as I turned to smile at her and caught Derek's eyes.

"Well, we'll see you later then, Coral. You take her home first." Michael shot my Mom his megawatt smile and Nora sighed dreamily. I chuckled softly.

With a nod, Derek pushed me out of the hospital wing and I resigned myself to enjoying the ride. Actually, I was enjoying the rest.

My body was still sore and I was still supposed to be bedridden. Apparently, the complete wound would heal in about eight months and the fact freaked me out more than I cared to admit. Last time I'd been in such a state, I'd had Grace do first aid on my brand burn. That's probbaly why the scars are worse that they could have been but I've learnt to live with it now.

"Your Dad took a few weeks off and so did I. He's cooking lasanga for dinner tonight." I rose my brows.

"You guys took vacation?"

"It was overdue anyways." My mother brushed it off but again, I knew how heavy a decision it must have been for workoholics like them. But they never made it a secret that Grace and I would always remain their priorities.

Mom went to get over with some of the paperwork before I could leave and left Derek and I alone.

"You're so lucky." Derek whispered in my ear and I nodded contmeplatively. "I think we're going to talk about the whole Mom cheating thing today. Dad's home and Desi is too. She takes too many holidays, doesn't she have college?" I could hear the frown in his voice.

I put my hand over his tense one on my shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze.

His copper eyes gleamed and he exhaled shortly. "By the way, Diego is an FBI agent?" He hissed, blue-black hair falling forward and I let my lips tip upwards.

We hadn't talked about that. Right.

"Yeah, since the very start. He was undercover and his search led him here. Diego's sister was a victim of the Gambino's racket and he heard about me." I took a deep breath, my heart skittering in my chest as I rememebred.

"Diego gave me purpose and the promise of becoming strong enough to exact revenge. From then on it was him gathering info that was FBI collected and we planned. Taking down the smaller corrupt people in the town was our first step."

"Like the contsables, Mayor Welsh, Mr Sedano." Derek spoke in understanding.

I hummed, "Mhm. And technically, Blue was never illegal. The FBI knew of it for god's sake. This was Diego's biggest secret. I'm just glad the whole thing didn't blow up big time and there's no gossip wherein his identity is revealed."

"Explains why there were so many rules at Blue & Black fights." Derek snickered.

I shook my head in affirmation then asked. "Did you not see Diego either since then?" His number was turning up invalid, same for Tasha and anyone else associated with Blue. I'd even tried Jay the anchor.

"Nope, he told me he might be MIA for a while before leaving the same day as your surgery. FBI things, I guess. But he'll probably meet you someday. Till then, he's left you in my trusty hands." He tugged on my braid and I sighed in understanding as we saw my Mom head over again.

"Not trusty hands."

At my whisper, Derek pinched my shoulder and I hissed. Glaring at him as he chuckled, jawline sharp and copper eyes sharper, Derek still looked as striking as he had the first time we met.

"Alright." My Mom opened the car door and I got in with their help, wincing in pain whenever the fresh stiches pulled the skin around the two still tender wounds. I'd been through severe blood loss too.

Guess I had to eats lots now. Heh.

"They're going to hold a memorial service for Mellisa next week."

My stomach swooped.

As we drove through town and I looked out at the familiar streets I'd grown up in, Mom's words sank in. Derek's hand covered my knee and I closed my eyes for a moment.

It was over.

I don't think it hit me yet just how much I'd been through and how far I'd come.

Mellisa was finally getting justice. It wasn't known as a simple closed case of hit and run anymore.

"I'll attend." My voice came out a little choked because tears had gathered in my eyes, blurring my vision. This time, I wouldn't miss out on something important regaridng Mellisa.

Life has a funny way of throwing you into impromptu situations.

Sad situations. Angry situations. Happy situations.

But it keeps on moving. Life deosn't stop and I don't think I want it to anymore. Like a river with its currents varying because of the circumstances, life needs us to go with the flow.

I'm strong enough to brave the currents now.

"Oh, by the way, Grace is coming home too. She was too worried about you." Derek informed and Mom nodded.

They're making me emotional. God, I have so many people to live for.

I've learnt that for a fact too. That I'm not alone. That confiding in people isn't such a bad thing always.

Mom rose a brow in the rearview mirror as she glanced between me and Derek and I blushed slightly. She might also confront me about us but um.

What were we?

We still weren't official and hadn't discussed anything of the sort. Things had moved too fast and now we were here.

I looked at Derek only to find him staring at me already. I let out an amused sigh. His tattoos danced on his skin, body lean enough for my liking. There was a light stubble on his jaw giving him an older, more mature look and suddenly I could visualize him as a thirty year old.

I think he'd still look good.

"Alright, we're home."

I looked out of the car window at my house and felt warmth flood me.

Not going to lie, I hadn't been sure if I'd be alive to come back here and there was something about the two storey house that made me suddenly feel an onslaught of emotions.

Yet here I was, tasting half of success and half of an uncertain future that was catching up to me bfore I could get my bearings.

But I think it'd be fine.

Because I was home.

•♤•

(Derek's P.O.V)

"We're getting divorced." My mother sounded emotionaless. "There's no use putting everyone through so much suffering."

Even though it was something that was clearly in the cards and we both expected, hearing it while our parents stood together—the image of a perfect couple—was jarring.

But more than that was what came next.

"I already knew about Ally sleeping with someone else."

The words rang in my ears and I sat down on the couch at my Dad's announcement.

Hearing my Dad claim he already knew about Mom cheating on him made me feel like all my efforts to keep the secret were so futile and useless. I felt so stupid.

Desiree and I couldn't find our words as Mom and Dad stood together and still felt like they were worlds apart.

"Could you explain?" Desiree clamly looked at them. A calm I was unable to posses.

My mom breathed in and looked at my Dad who was staring at me. He came over and I clenched my fists, looking away.

"Derek, Desiree......I'm sorry for what you had to go through. I realize our decisions may have been wrong but..." He looked regretful and yet not. "They were the only way I could do your mother justice."

I was confused now. "What justice?"

He swallowed thickly. I somehow felt that whatever they were going to tell us now would change things far too much. Dad glanced at Desiree. My Mom stood in the background, her face pinched.

My heart thundered in my chest at the next words.

"Desiree's mother died during childbirth." He looked down at my sister, "Out of wedlock. I loved your mother a lot though."

Desiree blinked repeatedly. "Pardon?"

But Dad didn't stop and I grabbed for Desi's hand as if I could keep her from slipping away. She squeezed back.

"Ally's marraige with me was rushed and forced. I wasn't willing to give her my love but I was willing to have a mother for you."

I closed my eyes and swallwoed thickly.

This took a bad turn. I can't believe this is happening.

"Our parents pushed for a child between us and that was probbaly the first and last time we shared a bed."

I wanted to rewind time.

My Mom spoke up shakily, "Your father is a good man, he's righteous and caring and kind and maybe to you I'm the vilanness but you're both my children and I wanted to give you the best." Her lips quivered, "I tried to make things work in a loveless marraige but then I...I fell for someone else."

This clusterfuck just keeps getting worse. I felt uncomfortable beyong belief hearing all this but Desiree was crying and she needed me right now. My sister sniffled.

"I didn't live for myself until you were both safely past the age of thirteen but then...then...everything went worng." She sobbed. And for the first time since I knew of my mother's infidelity did I feel bad for making her cry.

She was only my mother though. Biologically speaking. God.

"She told me about the guy and I knew this was unconventional but it was also the least I could do for Ally so I knowingly let her pursue a romance of her own." My Dad's voice trembled and I felt like shit.

I know he was a good guy, he always did his best too. My Mom...prior to the cheating case I loved her unconditionally, she was the best mother I could ask for but now this....?

"I know it won't change things-"

"It will, Mom." I told her, looking her in the eye. "Because now we can't hate you completely but we can't fogive you either." I glanced at Dad too. "Both of you."

"Who was my Mom?" Desi's question cut through the air and the atmosphere was so tense, I felt like cutting it with a knife.

Desiree stood up, letting go of my hand and wrung her shoulders. She wouldn't meet anyone's eyes. "I need time." She took in a sharp breath, eyes faltering. "I'm sure my birth mom was a wonderful person and I'd like to know about her but....the mom who raised me is wonderful too. That's all I know right now."

Desiree rushed out of the room and my Mother's tears were like needles pushing into my conscience. The regret on Dad's face was easily readable and I ran a hand through my hair.

Hate for my parents....

Suddenly, I couldn't find it.

Did this justify my Mom's actions? Did my Dad do the right thing? Was my rection too much?

I don't know.

But I knew now that things in my family would never be the same again.

It was a bittersweet feeling filled with strong nostalgia and understadning. On one hand, I could understand my parents.

I wouldn't be able to love anyone else but Lila and I knew that fact like the world knows the sun rises from the east. There was no one else for me.

If Dad was in my position....I got it.

And at the same time, my Mom became a mother to Desi, soemthing I'm sure she hadn't counted on but she gave her best for me and my sister. We never felt that there was anything amiss. That's how good they were.

Not at pretending, but being parents.

It was why Mom's cheating felt like a kick to the gut. This was worse though.

There was only one instance in my entire life that I could think back on and find suspicious. We were around eleven years old and I found a picture of an unknown woman in Dad's wallet.

That was it.

Even now I'm not sure if she's the woman who is Desi's mother but I do know I didn't think too much of it. I didn't suspect anything.

But then I imagined how Mom must have felt in a loveless marraige where her husaband ached for someone who was long gone. And she found love in someone else but because of me and my actions maybe, things went downhill for her.

I don't think it justifies their actions but they weren't born genuises either and feelings always complicate things. The one thing I knew was they'd both wanted the best for me and Desi.

And now they were doing something they must've wanted to for a long time.

A divorce.

I stood up and licked my dry lips.

"We're sorry. Really sorry." My Dad's words were firm and sincere.

To me, he'd been a constant in my life and I trusted him unconditionally. Maybe it was what blinded me to the relationship my parents shared. I was close to Dad and this hurt. Of course it hurt. It didn't just feel like a betrayal, it was a betrayal.

Talk about grey morals.

"I regret the years you and I lost, Derek. For not having the courage to tell the truth and I'm aware you'd prefer cutting me off but know that I love you and Desiree as my own children, which you both are." My beautiful mother was emotional but she was resigned too.

And somehow I couldn't imagine living without either of my parents to turn to. To have hate fill my very being and ruin all the good memories we had.

"I'd actually like to reconnect if that's possible, Mom." My parent's eyes flew towards me and I nodded as if convincing myself more than them. "Yeah, I can't promise perfect and I'm not saying I forgive but I do understand. Time heals everything, right?"

My mother smiled tough her tears and I could read the relief on her face as my Dad's lips lifted ruefully.

"I hope so."

•♤•

What do you guys think of how things have turned out? Diego's role and Lila's parent's actions?

Also, I'm aware, I know. What a twist, huh? Anyone expect that Desiree and Derek's Mom were different and this infidelity was more than just complicated?

I'm not sure if it feels too rushed or unnecessary but if it does do tell. This is the first draft and I want to finish the book for the Wattys hence the rush.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter though! Thank you for your support!

~Skyler