When I was ten, I told my parents that I wanted to become a doctor. They discouraged me, saying that it would take years to graduate to become one and that I should take an easier major because I am a girl. They wanted me to get married by the age of 25 because after that it would look bad for me and them.

When I grew up and it was time to go to university, I forced them to agree that I study medicine. They reluctantly did, thinking it would look good because my father was a surgeon as well.

When I finished early and started my residency, they kept telling me to get married to the point that my father brought his friend's son to meet me. I absolutely hated that arrogant jerk, Peter. He was annoying, self-centered, and haughty.

It wasn't until I finished my residency that my parents stopped forcing me to meet anyone else.

Working as a surgeon had been my dream, and still is. But I never thought that one day, I'd be killing instead of saving lives.

Killing on purpose.

"You need to elaborate more, mi hija," Manuel gently says, placing the fork and knife on the table and giving me his undivided attention. Everyone's attention is on me as they wait for me to explain.

"I told you...before in Vancouver," I say, not wanting to go deep into the matter, especially not in front of everyone.

"But we need to know what exactly happened so we could help you," Alex speaks this time.

"I killed someone," I blurt, shocking most of the people who didn't know, especially Victoria.

Victoria looks at me in disbelief as if she never thought that I am that kind of person. Alba doesn't look into my eyes, while the rest look normal.

"No one knows, not even the hospital."

"Why would you write a confession in a book?" Rafael asks.

"I didn't exactly write that I killed that man. I just wrote that it's my fault he's dead, which is basically the same thing. I wrote it in my book because I felt guilty and I couldn't tell anyone."

"Why? Why did you kill the man?" Victoria asks.

That's my secret and I never want to tell anyone. Besides, what if they didn't understand? What if they said that it wasn't enough to kill him? I don't even know these people, not even Manuel that much.

"I don't want to talk about it," I say, fidgeting my fingers in a nervous matter. I avoid looking at anyone, only hearing silence.

When I look up, my gaze landed on Manuel, who understood that I couldn't talk about it and nodded. "It's okay, we'll talk later. For now, we need to do something about that diary."

"Andrew." Rafael is the first to provide a solution that none of us understood.

"Andrew?" My voice comes out confused and bewildered.

"He's the only one who could go to your parent's house without anyone suspecting anything," he elaborates.

"But he hasn't been there since forever. It would definitely look suspicious to my father. He knows how close I was with Andrew, he'll know I talked to him and asked for help."

"No, he won't because the last thing Andrew told your father was that he was going to live in Argentina and get a new number. He even sent it to him."

"Argentina? Why would he lie about that?" I ask, totally disregarding the important topic.

Rafael glares at me, making me raise my hand in mock defense.

"Anyways, Andrew could go in, get the book, and comes out without anyone noticing anything," he continues.

"I am sorry I am dragging you all into this. What if the police find out, they link you with me?"

"They can't, there's no evidence," Cash points out.

I huff, burying my face in my hands. The last thing I want to drag this already fucked family into my mess. I know Manuel just escaped and the police are after him anyways, but still, I don't want to impose and I already feel out of place here.

"Don't worry, darling, it will be sorted out," Victoria says gently, making me feel a little better.

"Rafael, call Andrew and tell him about the plan. Cash and Alex, stay at the warehouse until further notice," Manuel fires orders. "—and Alba, I don't want to get you into trouble, but we need you right now."

"What is it, father? Tell me," Alba replies confidently.

"Drive to Vancouver with a fake ID and a new look. I need you to go with Andrew and act as his partner. It would look more convincing for his parents if Andrew came back with his girlfriend, wanting to introduce her to his parents."

I notice Alba's face flush and her cheeks turn red from embarrassment. I could tell she felt uncomfortable already.

My gaze shifts to the other side and I see Cash's clenching his jaw, almost breaking it. Rafael's face held a scowl, obviously not liking that his sister is going to act as a guy's girlfriend.

"Does she really have to do this?" Rafael tries his luck.

"Yes, Rafael. Don't question me."

Rafael nods and gets up to leave. Cash and Alex follow him behind.

"I am sorry you have to do this," I tell Alba.

"It's okay, darling. Besides, Andrew is hot."

"Alba!" Victoria and Manuel scold, making her giggle before getting up to leave.

"Kidding!"

The parents shake their heads in amusement while I smile at her antics. I have known her for what, two hours? And I already like her.

"What should I do?" I ask, getting their attention back at me.

"You do nothing, mi hija. Let us handle this one. Besides, there isn't anything you could do besides wait."

"You're right." I sigh.

* * *

At midnight, I get myself ready to sleep. I haven't heard anything from anyone yet, but I am sure tomorrow I will.

I wear my pajamas and get under the covers. It's a cold night and the duvet is not helping keep me warm.

I get up to get a jacket to wear when I hear footsteps outside my door. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion and walk to the door and pull it open.

"Rafael?"

"Hey, sorry, did I wake you up?"

"You didn't even knock." I chuckle.

"Well, I talked to Andrew and he's in. He will drive to Vancouver tomorrow with Alba and will visit your parents."

"I hope they find the book at the house."

"I hope so. Do you know where he might have hidden it if not at the house?" He asks, the little light coming from my room illuminating his face.

He is beautiful.

"It might be at his office at the hospital, but I doubt he'd leave something so important for anyone's reach. The nurses sometimes go into his room, so it's risky."

"Mhmm...if we didn't find it, what should we do?"

"I don't know Rafael...I guess I'll become a criminal." I chuckle sadly.

"Hey, all of us here are criminals, it wouldn't be so bad," he replies with a smirk.

I laugh, wholeheartedly. "You're crazy."

"I know." He grins as he looks at me with hooded eyes.

His forest green eyes look beautiful under the dim light and I can't help myself but stare at them. They are beautiful, and the way he's looking at me is making me feel weird things. Things I shouldn't feel.

"Umm...well—"

"Rafe!" A high-pitched voice echoes through the hall, not caring who's sleeping.

"Carmen?" Rafael looks at her in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"

"I have missed you." She pouts, grabbing his face and kissing him on the lips. "Didn't you miss me?" She asks, her eyes then land on me.

"You again?" She says.

"Carmen," Rafael warns. "Go home," he adds.

"But it's midnight! You want me to go back alone?" She protests.

"You came here by yourself alright."

Not wanting to stand there like a total freak, I mumble a good night and walk back into my room. I grab a jacket from my bag and put it on, already feeling much warmer. I could still hear their voices, arguing behind the door, but I try to ignore them and sleep.

When I hear footsteps going left and into Rafael's room, I become certain that she's staying the night.

I just hope I don't see her at breakfast tomorrow.