Kat POV

Being back home is a terrible yet welcoming decision. Jamie convinced me to travel with him back home, just in time for one of the many parties that Hale has been holding since I left. For some reason the streets of New York don't shine the same way that I remembered, everything seemed to be covered in a grey cloud. I knew the first place that I had to go. Jamie said that he had some business to take care of and that he'd meet me back at the apartment we were renting for a while. I climbed the stairs to the storybook town house that I've loved for a long time. I knocked on the door and waited. There was a cold chill creeping into the air.

'Katerina?' I was jolted out of my daydream by uncle Eddie opening the door

'Hey' I gave a weak smile

'Where have you been?' There was a slight harshness to his tone as he opened the door more to allow me through.

'If I told you, you wouldn't like it' I said unraveling my scarf from around my neck and taking off my jacket.

'You didn't…' Eddie left the sentence trailing in the air. I didn't face him as I hung my belongings up, the silence between us increased.

'It wasn't for long' I stated finally turning around to face an extremely angry Eddie

'After everything they did to your mother, you still joined them'

'Believe me, if I stayed here, I would have ended up like mom anyway' I snapped. Eddie's eyes widened

'You've changed' He stated

'I agree' I whispered. Eddie stared at me for a moment before making his way into the kitchen, I followed him through. His paper was laid out on the table and I saw the wedding invitation on the side. 'You got an invite?' I asked. Eddie looked over at the invite and then back to his paper.

'Hale was very kind to invite us all'

'This is unbelievable' I muttered shaking my head

'He has helped this family a lot over recent times'

'When I've gone missing?' I asked 'Would you just prefer me to go again...or make him part of the family? Because everyone seems to love him no matter what he does, yet with me, everyone looks at me like I'm a disappointment'

'You're not a disappointment-'

'Everyone thinks I'll end up like mom' I snapped. Eddie raised his head, anger in his eyes

'Why do you think that Katerina? You get yourself into wild situations and you don't consider that your actions affect everyone around you. You made me fake my own death at one point-'

'You never had to do it'

'I had to, otherwise you would have come up with another crazy scheme that would pull this family apart'

'Are you serious right now?' I whispered, hurt in my voice. Eddie remained silent 'I'll show myself out' I muttered bolting out of the room, grabbing my belongings and racing out of the door. I must have walked a few blocks before I realised the tears were streaming down my face. People were bumping into me constantly, I didn't care. I just kept my head down and kept walking. I stopped when a car horn startled me; remember to actually look when you cross the road. My heart was pounding as I shoved my hands in my coat pockets. My left hand found a piece of card. I took it out, it was engraved like all the other cards before, I turned it over a few times in my hand before reading the cursive lettering on one of the sides; Welcome back was all it said. I knew Romani had written it. I now know that he's been watching me and keeping me under surveillance. I took steady breaths...I shoved the paper back into my pocket and continued to move through the streets of the big apple. I had a feeling that someone was watching me, so I turned into an alleyway, I walked in and hide in one of the doorways. I heard footsteps entering the alleyway and get louder as the person got closer. They past my hiding place and continued walking, I stepped out from where I was, facing their back.

'You could have called' I called after them. They stopped and turned to face me

'I didn't know where you were'

'Only a few people actually knew' I shrugged

'Everyone was worried Kat. I was worried'

'Doesn't seem like it' I muttered

'Excuse me?' They snapped

'You're getting married Hale, you clearly didn't wait too long' I stared at the man I thought I loved...the man who made me believe in story book endings.

'This was an arranged marriage. My parents decided'

'You've never been one to conform to your parents decisions Hale. Remember when you first introduced me? This was purely your decision'

'Kat…'

'Save it. I hope you have fun with your life' I began to walk away

'Gabby told me what happened to your mom' I stopped in my tracks and whirled on him 'I'm sorry' he added

'It was an accident. No one's to blame' I whispered, it echoed against the buildings

'I know you Kat. I also know that you don't believe that, and the only reason why you joined the magicians was to find out how she died'

'You're wrong'

'How?'

'I joined them to get away from you'