𝑶𝑭 𝑩𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑫 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑩𝑬𝑻𝑹𝑨𝒀𝑨𝑳

ᎽᎧU ᏘRᏋ ᏁᎧT ᎽᎧUR ᎧᏊᏁ

That is why I took an unsanctioned portal to Alicante and why I sought out Maryse. And for your information, I'm not a Fairchild, never was apparently and it's part of why I went to see Maryse. Now you know and if you don't believe me, I don't care. I've told you the truth."
At the revelation from the younger woman, Imogen's face softened slightly at the mention of losing a child, but she quickly schooled her features into a neutral expression once again.

"If you have nothing else better to speak to me about or ask me besides my personal life matters, excuse me." Alyssa said coldly then left the room with Jace and Clary following behind. Imogen stared after them for a moment before looking back down to write something down on her papers.

Rooftop

Alyssa had come straight here after leaving Imogen's office. She leaned against the ledge, placing her hands clasped atop it and staring into nothing.
As the wind blew her hair back and the sun shone on her, she cast her mind back to her conversation with Maryse earlier today.

Her thoughts were cut off, hearing the rooftop door open and close. By sense of smell, she realized it was Clary who had followed her upstairs.

"Hey." Clary said tentatively.

"Hey. Jace sent you to check up on me?" Alyssa said, not turning to face the younger girl.

"No. He was going to come, but I convinced him to let me find you instead. So how are you feeling?"

"Unhinged. My entire life has been blown apart these last few days, all by one man. How do you think I feel, Clary?" Clary nodded, understanding her words.

"I'm sorry." Alyssa this time turned and looked at her in confusion.

"For what? Why are you sorry?"

"If it weren't for you having to save my life, you wouldn't have lost your baby. It's my fault and..."

"Clarissa, stop. It wasn't your fault and it never will be. I chose to jump in and save you. You couldn't have known I was pregnant, no one did. There's only one person I'll ever blame for that and that's Valentine. It just sucks that I had to find out the truth from him instead of my dad."

"Alyssa, I may not understand what you're feeling right now but...maybe you should give Luke a chance to explain why he hid this from you."

"It wouldn't matter anyway. This isn't just about him lying to me. It's more than that. I appreciate you trying to help but this isn't something that can be fixed that easily. But thanks for coming to check up on me." Alyssa said with a weak smile.

"Of course. Just because we're not sisters anymore doesn't mean I don't care anymore." Clary said.

Though she knew Clary meant no harm by what she said, hearing her say that they were no longer sisters hurt Alyssa, but she managed to mask her hurt with a smile.

"Of course. You should go back in. I'm pretty sure Imogen's looking for you so she can begin her 'tests'." Alyssa said, making air quotes around 'tests'.

Clary nodded and walked away, leaving the roof and since she didn't turn back, she did not see the tear roll down from Alyssa's eye, as the older girl tried to hold in her tears and turned back to lean on the ledge.

A few hours later found Alyssa back on the rooftop, though this time she was just sketching. She'd gotten some of her art supplies which were still in her and Jace's room in the Institute.

She was interrupted when her phone began to ring. Taking the phone from her jacket pocket, she discovered it was Raphael calling and answered the call.