For your own good

                                    

                                          

Anya's POV:
My heart dropped to my stomach. Damian was sent to the military? and it was Alina's fault? what did she mean by that!?
"Wh-what?" I stammered out. Alina looked at me her eyes full of tears. 
"Anya..." She began, "I'm really sorry... But I was jealous, I was naive, I ruined your life and now I ruined Damian's life too," she sobbed out. My heart began beating faster as I saw her broken state. 
"Alina, what happened?" I asked still confused. The others were looking at one another not uttering a word. Why doesn't anyone want to tell me anything!?
"Tell me! Somebody please tell me! I'm tired of not knowing anything, I want to know!" I yelled out in frustration hitting the table next to me. Suddenly a box fell to the floor,various pictures fell to the floor. I look down at the scattered images seeing pictures of Damian and I i've never seen before. Slowly I made my way to them, kneeling down I began looking through the pictures. Damian was carrying me bridal style smiling as I looked at the camera holding up a piece sign. In another picture, we were holding hands as I pointed towards the lion den. Deep in the pile there was a picture of me kissing his cheek and he gave a sweet smile towards the camera. My heart stammered I moved from one picture to another. finally at the bottom of the stack laid a small golden ring, one I knew too well. 
Becky and Bash arrived shortly after. They both stood there in shock. 
"Anya..." Becky whispered, her eyes beginning to water. Everyone's eyes were on me as I tried to process what I had just found. 
"I don't understand... why did you all keep this from me!?" I began, hot tears beginning to fall down my cheeks. "This whole time... I-I... didn't know we were together-," 
"Anya," Bash began as he walked over to me. I got up and moved away. 
"No!" I yelled out moving away from him,"he was in so much pain having to pretend like nothing had happened, and now he's gone! when am I ever going to see him again?" I cried out. I couldn't bear another minute in this space. Everything reminded me of him. I had to get out of here. 
Without another word, I bolted toward the door, pushing past Becky and Bash. I could hear them calling after me, but their voices felt distant, like echoes in a tunnel. My heart was pounding, my vision blurred by tears. The world outside the room felt suffocating, closing in around me.
I needed air. I needed to breathe.
I sprinted down the hallway, through the front door, and out into the courtyard. The sky was overcast, a dull gray, but I barely noticed. All I could see were the pictures, the memories that I didn't even know I had—stolen moments of Damian and me, a relationship I had somehow forgotten.
The weight of it all pressed down on me. Damian was gone. He was sent away because of me—because of Alina's jealousy, because of something I didn't even know had happened. The ache in my chest felt unbearable, like a part of me was missing, ripped away.
I stopped at the edge of the garden, leaning against the stone wall. My legs felt weak, trembling beneath me, and I sank to the ground, hugging my knees to my chest.
Why didn't anyone tell me? How could they all keep this from me?
The memories I did have—the way Damian looked at me, the warmth of his presence, the way he always seemed to be just out of reach, like he was holding something back—it all made sense now. He had been in love with me, and I with him. But something had happened to wipe it all away, and now he was gone. The one person who could explain everything was miles away, lost to the rigid world of the military.