Ivan's P.O.V.

"Speak fast", I said. Joe smirked at me as she noticed my impatience.

"What's the hurry? We've a whole day", she said as she picked up the glass of water.

"Start speaking", I replied. She's really testing my patience.

"Jeez. Let me breathe, Ivan", she said and I clenched my jaw.

"Okay, I'll tell you in brief because who wants a long detail of past incidence. I don't remember many things as well. It's been so long since that happened", Joe said as she sat on the couch in front of me. I was surrounded by two bodyguards, just in case, I might attack her after listening to her truth.

"Will you start talking?", I asked.

"Okay. As you know Ron was my all-time crush. Just like you're obsessed with me, I was obsessed with Ron. But he turned down my feelings. I did every single thing in my control to keep him away from Adrian. But that guy was all about that girl. He could die just for her happiness. That kind of love and passion he had for his wife and our teacher, Mrs. Adrian was just not acceptable to me. If I like someone then I want him to like me back with the same passion. So, I decided to kill Adrian. She was getting on my nerves. Even after being married again to someone else, she still was somewhere in my life. Ron was just not letting her go", Joe said and then she gulped down a glass of water.

"Then, you came into play. I approached Adrian telling her that you're just not being in your limits. I played the victim card. Adrian trusted me more than her own husband. She used to consider me as a gullible, naive teenager who was exploited by Ron, her ex-husband. I was the poor girl who was tortured by both Ron and you, Mr. Ivan Greene. She was so kind-hearted, I tell you. She was stupid as well", Joe smirked and I clenched my jaws. The nerve of her to call Mrs. Adrian stupid.

"Mrs. Adrian, being a darling came forward to help me. She wanted to protect me. But she failed to protect herself from me. You remember the day I called you at my place and how Mrs. Adrian ended up showing at my place as well. That was all planned", Joe said and past memories flashed across my eyes. I remember that day vividly.

*******************

(Flashback);

I was on cloud nine. Joe called me. She asked me to meet me. After so many months of chasing her and showing her how much I love her, she finally decided to give me a chance. I wore a black hoodie and paired it with black denim. My cheeks were hurting because I couldn't help but smile. It was the very first time Joe asked me to visit her house. This was huge. I will make her mine this time. I'm damn sure.

On my way driving to her home, I bought a bouquet of rose. My love story will finally start. My all-time crush, my Joe, my forest is going to be mine. All the hard work finally pays off. I parked the bike down her building and took out the ring from my jeans pocket.

"I'll propose you to be my girlfriend", I said looking at the diamond ring. I placed the box back in the pocket and walked towards the lift to reach her house. My heart was beating rapidly against my chest. My happiness was out of control. As soon as the lift opened, I almost ran to her place. I can't wait anymore. I want to hug her, kiss her and love her like the way no one ever can.

I rang the doorbell and Joe opened the door. I was surprised to see her state. She had blood running from the corner of her lips. Fingerprints of a hand were imprinted on her left cheek and her hair was messy. Blood boiled inside my veins. The bouquet of roses falls down from my hand to the ground.

"Forest. Who did this to you?", I asked as I held her face carefully in my palm. A tear rolled down her right eye.

"Ron", she whispered and I vowed to kill that bastard.

"He'll pay for his sin. You don't worry", I said and holding her, I walked her to the couch.

"I'll bring water for you", I said and ran to the kitchen. I picked up a glass and a jar of water. The time I walked out of the kitchen, I was stunned to see Adrian standing in front of me.

She looked at Joe and then at me. Her eyes were blood red. She looked angry. What is she doing here? Before I could ask her anything, she walked to me and slapped me right on my face.

"Ivan, how dare you do this to Joe?", She asked. I was still recovering from the slap she just gave me.

"Why did you beat her?", Mrs. Adrian said and my eyes widened.

"What? No. I didn't do anything. I can't hurt her ever. Joe please tell her", I said.

"It's because of you only. Ron hurt me because of you. I hate you. I wish you're dead", Joe accused me and I could feel my heart being shattered into pieces.

She hates me.

Tears formed at the periphery of my eyes asking my permission to come out. I looked at both of them. They both had hatred for me in their eyes. One was the girl I can die for and can do anything to protect her. Second was the teacher I adored and respected. Mrs. Adrian, out of all people always believed in me. Today, after seeing her doubting me, killed me.

I poured the water from the jug on the floor and crashed that glass jar against my hand. In a second, the jar broke into pieces. A few glass pieces were stuck against my hand. Blood started oozing out of my arm.

"I gave myself punishment for being the reason for your problem", I said and then I kneeled down in front of them.

"You can punish me any way you want", I said. Tears rolled down my cheeks this time. I lose the purpose of living. I was living for Joe but she wants me dead.

"Get out of this house and never come back in my life", Joe said. I looked at her.

"Please forgive me if you can", I said and then I got up and left the house. I reached downstairs and walked to my bike. I took out the ring from my jeans pocket and threw it away. I don't need it.

Next thing I remember was me driving rashly on the road and getting into an accident. I was laying there on the cold cemented road with blood coming out of my head. I looked up in the sky. It was dark. The last thought that comes to my mind was,

'Joe, please forgive me'. I black out later.

**********************

Present Time:

I woke up from my unconscious state in a hospital bed after two weeks only to find out that I've been charged in the case of murdering Mrs. Adrian. I was educated about the death of Joe and Mrs. Adrian. That one year was so rough on me that I get into drugs, fights and all other things which are illegal. Fighting case to prove my innocence and the emptiness of losing Joe and the pain of my favourite teacher's death took a toll on me. I was dead inside until now. I had no feelings or whatsoever for anyone. Only I know how I survived that period with suicidal thoughts clouding me every single night in the lonely nights.

Listening to Joe, I felt cheated. I felt whatever I went through was all a lie. I felt betrayed and robbed. One year of suffering was worthless. Joe was alive. Mrs. Adrian was alive. I was being falsely charged and all those tears I shed mourning for the death of my dear ones were waste.

Did I endure every single pain for nothing?

"I sort of planned the fake death of mine and Mrs. Adrian. I gave her some medicine which ceases her heart rate and breath rate. I've to injure myself as well. But it was all worth it. I was the one who brain washed Vena to believe that Ron is the real culprit. She is just like her sister. Emotions fool. Ron could die for Adrian but will never harm her. Poor Vena. She never understands Ron", Joe said.

"Why do you want to kill Vena?", I asked.

"Because of you", she said as she stood up angrily. She almost accused me.

"What?", I asked as I got up from my seat.

"You worry about her way too much. I'm your girlfriend but Vena is the one who is in your mind all the time. Even when she's not with you, you always think about her", She said and I remain silent. She's right. Since the day, I've met Hazel, she has never left my mind.

"I can't stand Ron being in love with Adrian so I took Adrian away from him. Now, if I'll kill Adrian then Ron will be heart broken and so is Vena. And you'll go and support that girl. If I'll kill Ron then Vena and Adrian will still be united. I can't see those sisters happy. I might leave Ron and Adrian to live together but Vena needs to die for that", she said.

"You can't harm her. What wrong has she done to you? What's the matter with you?", I asked. I almost yelled. Joe walked to me and encircled her arms around me.

"I love you Ivan", she said with a smile.

"That's not my answer", I said freeing myself from her hold. I took two steps away.

"You didn't say you love me back", she said and I just gave her a stare.

Because I don't.

"What's your problem, Joe? Just answer the god damn question", I snapped.

"Vena is affecting you. Isn't she? You're worried for her so much and all she does is in return push you away. You're caring about her and that's fuc**ng my problem. I love you, Ivan. I can't lose you now", Joe said.

"Caring about Hazel is my fuc***g problem. I'll protect her no matter what. She has suffered so much because of you and because of me. I owe her. She gave my sister the gift of motherhood. Hazel is a kind soul. She's not like you. I'll give my life to protect her. She might not like me and that's my problem. But you can't touch her", I said and she smirked.

"If you want to save her then I'll give you one option", she said.

"What option?", I asked.

"Marry me", she responded.

Never.

"I'll give you one day to think about it. You've to be mine forever. I'll release all three of them. We'll perform contract if you want. Remember this clearly, you're my property. I don't share what's mine", she said and then kissing on my cheek, she left.

I feel disgusted.

I sat on the couch feeling lost. I wish I had never met Joe. Why did I have a crush on her? Why did my heart flutter for her? Damn you Ivan, you fall for the wrong girl.

I was busy cursing myself when I heard a slight knock on the door. I looked up in the direction and found a letter being slided inside. I frowned. Who it can be? I walked towards the door and picked up the letter. My name was written on it.

Strange.

I looked all around myself and found that the only place where camera was not installed was in the washroom. I walked inside the washroom and opened the letter. It said,

"Joe was bluffing. Adrian is dead. To know the truth, wait for my next message".

What the fu*k. What on the earth is happening? What is the god damn truth?

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Hope you like the chapter. Gonna wrap up the story soon.

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Aana..