Two weeks have passed and unfortunately, Valentina still had some sort of hope that her brother would reach out, however, he didn't. She believed her brother still had that lasting ounce of so-called mercy for Valentina's sake, but from the lack of contact, she was left to believe that he was no longer interested in associating his life with his sister's

With less than a month left of the contract, Hazel spent her lasting days with Valentina constantly before she was to make the most important decision of her life - deciding whether or not she thought it was best to officially take Valentina into her life.

The decision tethered her down, like a tiger in a cage. She weighed her outcomes continuously and still, the positives outweighed the negatives by a landslide, yet she couldn't muster the confidence to even talk to Valentina about the certain question she desired to ask her.

For almost three months, they've known each other and moved past their differences and found love between them, and yet, Hazel was lost. Valentina on the other hand was too stressed about her brother - which in his case, didn't want to talk to her, at least not yet.

Hazel wanted to tell her family everything. On some level, she felt guilty for lying to them, especially Teagan considering she's supposed to lead a good influence. To her, there was only one choice available, and in this case, it was the truth.

"Teagan!" Hazel exclaimed somewhat discreetly as she pulled her sister to the side.

"Okay, stop manhandling me and I'll listen." Teagan huffed as she gazed down at the tight grip her older sister had on her wrist and the sudden tug she experienced.

Realising her grip, Hazel let go with a 'sorry' look on her face, in which was returned with a pair of rolling eyes from Teagan.

"Go on." The younger blonde ushered as if her time with limited, which in fact was a lie.

Struggling to answer her simple question without complicating her mind even further, Hazel began to truthfully explain what her relationship was with Valentina.

"Okay um... You'll be mad at me but, please let me explain everything from the start." Hazel warned, her gaze becoming harshly apologetic before she had even begun. Once she received an 'okay' as a response she started from the very beginning.

"So, it all started with a contract..."

• • •

"...And now, since our time is limited, I'm worried she'll want to get back to her old life - the one without me in it." Hazel finished as she looked at her sister with a worried expression, Teagan returning the gaze with a relieved look.

"Considering all you've been through, I'm sure she wouldn't turn on you like that. Surely there's some part in you that isn't doubtful of your relationship." Teagan replied as she held her sister's hand in comfort. "She loves you, and you love her. It's simple as that."

"But we haven't said it." The older sister slumped with gloom.

"That doesn't change the fact that she doesn't adore you, Hazel. I've seen the way she looks at you, she's as head over heels as you are." There was no lie hidden in what Teagan responded with.

The few days Valentina disappeared and Hazel chased after her, they somehow came back stronger. They were opposites, yet they fit perfectly together, and consequently, they loved each other even if they'd refused to admit it or didn't know yet.

"Stop doubting her love for you." The younger girl cooed. "You found each other for a reason, even if you needed a stupid contract to help you. The two of you belong together, Hazel. All you have to do is tell her how you truly feel."

"I want to, I really do. But there's no right time to tell her, especially when she's still concerned for her brother and-" Hazel ranted, her thoughts racing faster than her heart.

"Calm down, Hazel. Don't overthink this. Love takes time, so in this case, all you need is to be patient." Teagan wisely spoke as the worried face on her older sister disappeared slowly and was replaced with a thankful expression.

"You're right." Hazel began as her eyes lit with a passionate expression. "Thank you, Teagan. For understanding me instead of judging."

"Thank you for telling me. This took a lot of guts to do." Teagan admired, a smile supporting her words.

• • •