Hello, Wow! Two updates in a row! Please support this story by liking it and review it. Without further delay, I give you Chapter 18 of Forbidden Love!

Previously: Crystal walked towards me with no emotions on her face whatsoever and before I can react, I felt a hand hitting my cheek.


A few minutes ago:

Crystal's POV:

I was quite curious. What did my parents have to say with Astral? Why so secretive all of a sudden? Are they suspicious of me because they think that I come in harm? Do they really not recognize me after all these years? Those were the questions that were in my head. Do they really not trust me?

"Crystal, are you alright?" Lily sudden asks as I jolted out of my thoughts

I smiled "of course, I was just thinking about something that's all." Well, it wasn't a total lie but it wasn't necessarily the truth either.

"I bet you were missing your husband weren't you?" Star suddenly chimed in playfully.

Husband? What? Then it dawned on me. Yesterday, I got married to my brother, who was also my 'husband'. To imaging me getting married to my brother? Absolutely not! No way. I will not ever put the words Astral and husband together in a sentence. That is so wrong on many levels!

Noting my silence, Lily said "No worries, you will get to meet him soon enough. Then we will go outside and get some fresh air. Isn't that right Maria?"

We all looked in her direction waiting for an answer but she looked like she was thinking deeply about something and clearly didn't hear the question.

We all walked closer to her.

"Maria?" I said as I waved my hands in front of her face to see if she is awake.

"Hello, earth to Maria. Are you in there?" Lily asked while Stars shook her to wake her.

Finally, she snaps out of whatever she is thinking of and comes back to reality.

"Are you okay, Maria?" I asked in concern.

"Yea, are you alright? You never froze like that before." Star asked in concern

She smiled but I could tell it was forced "I'm fine guys. I just couldn't sleep last night that's all."

"That's why you need to sleep earlier". Star said

"I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Star."

"No biggie," Star said

I could obviously tell that she likes Astral. I mean like all the signs are there. She must have been jealous of me because I am his 'wife' so to speak.

Honestly, what has my life come to?

Maria's POV:

I was still upset that Astral loves Crystal so much. I mean can you blame me? It's only been a day and they already have pet names for each other. It makes me so angry. My anger isn't directed at Crystal though. It's directed at me. I'm angry that I couldn't just be happy for them and give up on him entirely.

As we approached the main door leading to the throne room, I heard them talking about Astral's Tuberculosis. I need to get all of them away immediately before they knew about his condition! I wonder if Crystal knows yet?

"Guys, why don't we go outside and wait for him? It's better. Plus, it's impolite to hear other people's conversations." I said in a hasty voice.

They all stopped walking and turned around, looking at me as I tried to pull them away from the door.

"Why? We eavesdropped all the time when we were little. What difference does it make now?" Lily asked in confusion.

"Yea, we all want to hear what they are talking about! I mean like what is so secretive about them talking?" Crystal asks

"I'm tired of being left out in the dark," Star said

With that, they all simultaneously started to go towards the door with me, trying to get them away from it.

I know that it's no use. It's three against one, of course, they will win.

I racked my brain for an excuse but it is blank. I couldn't come up with an excuse anymore.

I'm sorry Astral, I tried.

They leaned against the door and heard the phrases Astral, Tuberculosis, and symptoms. The rest, I assumed they filled it in on their own.

Lily's POV:

Astral has Tuberculosis? No... This is not real. This is a dream, right? This has to be a dream! If he has that illness, why didn't he told me it sooner? Why? I looked at Crystal and Star. It looks like they didn't know either.

I finally looked at Maria. She was closing her eyes as if she was guilty of something. She knew! She knew this whole time. Why didn't she say anything to us? Why keep it a secret? Are we even friends?

Star's POV:

Tuberculosis? Astral has Tuberculosis? Tears were threatening to fall right now. I have done my fair share of research on illnesses and I know what Tuberculosis is. Why didn't he say anything to us? Does he not trust us enough? Are we even friends?

Crystal's POV:

There are so many emotions that I am feeling right now. Sadness, anger, disappointment. I chose to do that one thing that seemed like the best choice. I kicked open the door. I stared at my brother directly in the eye. We locked eyes for a minute. At that minute, I was thinking, Why didn't you tell me? Aren't we family?

I walked over to him without displaying any emotions and slapped him hard on the cheek.

I could tell that they were shocked. I could tell that he was shocked that I did that but I just didn't care about that anymore.

"Why didn't you tell us that you are having Tuberculosis? Do you not trust me that much to tell me?" I said with tears streaming down my face

He slowly lifted his head and walked towards me "I didn't tell you because I was afraid that I would worry you, worry all of you. You are all vital people to me, and I don't like you to be sad." He said calmly as he wiped my cheek

I quickly tackled him into an embrace along with his friends. We cried in his arms until nightfall.


Hi,

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-Peace