It's really hard to say goodbye. *

It was dark but I could feel that I was in an unfamiliar room. I was sweating profusely, making me uncomfortable. My heart was beating fast and the pain in my heart was excruciating.

What's happening to me?

I can't breathe and I feel like I lost someone.

Who is it?

Carlos.

I gasped as I jolted up, shivering. Carlos, did he really die? Or was everything just a nightmare?

"Clarianne you're finally awake."

I looked up and saw Anastasia, sitting across me and smiling a little at me. Her legs were crossed and so were her arms. We were in the infirmary of the academy.

"What's happening? Carlos, where is he? D-did he. . .is he still. . Or did h-he--"

"Die? Honestly I'm not sure. I heard that he was brought in the hospital but I don't know if he survived or not. I'm sorry," Anastasia said and she sounded sincere. She stood up and patted me on the back.

I whimpered and burst into tears. God, the pain.

"It's going to be alright. At least my mother won't mess with you anymore."

"What do you mean? Where is she now?" I couldn't contain the anger in my voice.

"She's cut off from the royal family. She's ostracized, her wealth was stripped away from her. She's far away living with herself in a small house. I don't even know where," she said and I curled my fingers.

"That's not enough, sh--"

"I know, she deserves to be in jail but trust me this is the worst thing that could happen to her. In prison she'd still be treated as roulyalty but now she's a poor peasant with no power at all," Anastasia explained.

I sighed and leaned back. "How about everyone? Are they okay?"

"They're fine, your friends are probably resting in their rooms and Gavier is talking to his dad."

I nodded, deep in thought. At least everyone else is alright.

"I came here to apologize for my mother's behaviour and also for my own bitchiness. I'm alone now, my dad is dead and now I don't even know where my evil mother is. I have a great life." She was smiling sarcastically.

"You were forced but I dont know about your parents. I don't think I can forgive them yet even though we're family now." I gave her a small smile.

She smiled back. "That's right, we're cousins bitch."

When she left I felt hollow once again but I was too exhausted to cry. I looked around the infirmary, everything was white, reminding me how empty I was feeling at the moment.

There was a small table at my side and my necklace that was passed down from my mother was on it, then below it was a piece of paper.

I quickly snatched it and saw my dad's familiar handwriting.

Dear sweetheart,

I hope that when you see this, you're feeling better. Time really flies. It felt like it was yesterday when you were born and now you're a young adult. Your parents would be proud of you when they see what you've become: a strong, brave, and courageous woman.

I want to apologize for what I've done in the past. I'm not even going to ask for forgiveness because I don't deserve it.

Your parents were very kind and loving like you. I love them very much and if they were here you would have loved them too. They were the best parents, best teachers and I aspire to be like them but that's obviously impossible. I can never compare myself to your great and wonderful parents.

Your father said to me before that his wife and you were his golden flower. He told me I'd find mine as well in the near future. I did. It was you. You gave me a reason to live. You gave me a reason to become a good person. You made me happy.

And I love you. I love you very much sweetheart that it's painful. I love you very much that I sometimes cry. I love you very much that my hand shakes as I write this. And because I love you so much it's time that I let go of you.

Please live a happy life for me. It's the only thing I ever wished for.

,your once father who

loves you very much,

Richard Valdez