The room was quiet for a beat before Alena stirred, her lashes fluttering as she blinked awake. She caught sight of Liana and her eyes lit up, a happy giggle spilling out. "Aren't you the pretty lady who sings and dances? I know you!"
The smirk slipped from Liana's face, replaced by something softer. She nodded and extended her hand. "Come here… What's your name?" Her voice gentled in a way that made Ethilia's brow twitch in surprise.
Alena wriggled free from her mother's lap and padded over, letting Liana lift her easily. Settled onto her lap, the little girl beamed. "My name is Alena Arden. My mom is Ethilia Arden—"
Before she could say more, Ethilia cleared her throat sharply and cut in, eyes narrowing. "So? Why are you back in town?"
Liana didn't look at her. She was too busy tickling Alena's sides, coaxing squeals of laughter from the child. The sight twisted something in Ethilia's chest. She clenched her jaw, waiting for an answer.
Only after a long pause did Liana finally speak, her gaze still fixed on Alena. "Maybe I came back… to see how miserable you've become."
Her words hit like a blade. Ethilia's hands fisted against her knees, a cold ache spreading through her chest. Why was Liana so gentle with her daughter but so cruel to her?
She shoved the thought down and snapped back, "Done staring? Then leave."
Liana paused, and Alena tightened her arms around her neck in protest. "Mommy…" she whined, making Liana laugh low in her throat.
Instead of letting go, Liana rose with Alena still in her arms. Her eyes met Ethilia's across the small room. She saw the clenched fists, the shallow breaths, the words Ethilia wanted to say but never would.
"Want some chocolate, cutie?" Liana asked, brushing a kiss over Alena's cheek.
Alena's eyes sparkled. She nodded eagerly.
Ethilia opened her mouth to protest, but one sharp glare from Liana froze the words in her throat. She knew that look too well—the one that said don't you dare.
Liana stepped outside the apartment, where Alex leaned lazily against the wall. Ethilia followed, muttering under her breath, "The delivery man?"
Liana smirked at Alena, deliberately ignoring her.
"Cutie, go with Uncle Alex. He'll give you whatever you want. And if he refuses…" Liana tapped Alena's nose playfully, "…you come complain to me, alright?"
Alena nodded and hugged her tight before letting Liana pass her into Alex's arms. He didn't argue, only accepted the child with a solemn nod before carrying her away. Liana's eyes lingered until they disappeared from sight, then she turned back inside as though she owned the place.
"Don't forget the door," she called casually over her shoulder.
Ethilia slammed it shut hard enough to rattle the frame and stormed after her. "What's your problem?" she snapped, her voice rising.
Liana turned, eyes scanning over her from head to toe, making Ethilia's skin prickle. She took a deliberate step closer.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Ethilia hissed.
Something flickered in Liana's eyes—anger, yes, but also something that looked painfully close to sadness or longing. Her voice sharpened as she stepped into Ethilia's personal space.
"Of course I'm enjoying it. Why wouldn't I? You were my school rival, driving me crazy at every turn. And in college?" Her hand shot up, fingers gripping Ethilia's chin. She tilted her face up, her thumb brushing across her lower lip. "In college, you ruined me, darling."
Ethilia's breath caught. Her eyes fluttered shut as a shiver ran down her spine.
Liana leaned in, her voice a whisper of venom and ache. "I still affect you. So tell me—why did you choose him over me?"
Gathering every ounce of courage, Ethilia shoved Liana back. Liana stumbled but steadied herself with grace. Her eyes flared with unshed tears as she pointed a trembling finger at her.
"We… we were just rivals," she said, voice tight. "I only ever wanted more marks, a higher rank than you." She drew in a shaky breath and turned her back. "There was nothing. I felt nothing. You… you meant nothing to me."
Liana's jaw tightened, eyes dark and unyielding, every inch of her posture screaming control and quiet fury. Ethilia crossed her arms, wiping away a stray tear before it could fall.
Her voice shook as she continued, "And all those times you stood by me? That was just… You're playing the good girl, the perfect student, in front of everyone." She pointed toward the door. "Now… get out."
Liana tilted her head, a slow, dangerous smile forming. "Right," she said softly. Then sharper, venomous, "I loved seeing you struggle… and I still do."
She stepped closer, closing the distance. "But you know what? You deserved it. Your boyfriend? Leaving you was the only thing he could do right."
Ethilia's chest tightened as old wounds ripped open. Words caught in her throat, but before she could respond, Liana shoved her backward. "You deserve all this mess, but that little girl…"
Liana's gaze softened just a fraction, "…she doesn't deserve to suffer because her mother was too proud, too stubborn." Her voice sharpened again. "I'll come again. I'll watch over her if I have to…because she clearly admires me,"
Liana said, a faint, almost cruel smile tugging at her lips. "I never leave someone who looks up to me… something you once knew but threw away"
With that, Liana turned on her heel and headed for the door. Her hand paused on the knob. "This place isn't right for her," she said over her shoulder. "I'll send Alex. He'll make sure you and your daughter have a better place to stay."
Ethilia opened her mouth to protest, but Liana's eyes cut through her like a blade. Her voice dropped, low and sharp. "Don't even think about interfering. You know exactly what I'm capable of."
Ethilia gasped, lips twisting as her heart raced. Before she could form another word, Liana was gone.
Left alone in the cramped apartment, guilt, longing, and regret pressed down on her. She stumbled to the wall, slid down, and let out a shaky, defeated sob.
"I hate her… I hate her… I hate her…" Ethilia sobbed, hugging her knees. Yet even as the words left her lips, she knew they weren't the whole truth.
There had been… something. Something she once felt, but pushed away to fit the life society expected of her. She closed her eyes, and the last encounter with Liana flashed back into her mind.
"Why did you reject me and accept her, Ethilia?" Liana's voice snapped, sharp and unyielding. She pressed Ethilia against the classroom wall, gripped her wrist painfully above her head in the empty college classroom.
"Because you're a woman… and he is a man. I should be with a man, not a woman." Ethilia's words landed like a knife, and Liana's chest heaved. She stepped back and ran a hand through her hair, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and heartbreak.
"So… it's the gender you care about, not the person? TELL ME!" Liana slammed her hand against the table nearby. Ethilia flinched but lifted her chin, face unreadable.
"Yes,"she admitted quietly.
Liana froze, shock and pain twisting across her features before giving way to bitter, mocking laughter.
"Right… because you love the gender, not the person. You're nothing but a girl chasing lust and money, drawn to the man who is rich, not the one who loves you." Her voice cracked with accusation.
"Be with him then… I hope it makes you as happy as I'll never be."
Ethilia stood in silence as Liana turned and walked out of the empty classroom. That was the last day she ever saw Liana—gone, leaving behind only regret, longing, and a heart she had once refused to give.
Meanwhile, outside the apartment, Liana leaned against the door, eyes closed, trying to calm the rush of emotions and resist the urge to go back inside and stop Ethilia from crying.
She hated seeing Ethilia cry—always had. Yet now, after everything, she wasn't sure if she should hate Ethilia for her words… or herself for still caring.
"Why did I come back into her life?" she whispered, clenching her fists and taking a slow, steadying breath.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out her signature sunglasses, sliding them on before tucking her hands back inside. Maybe to stop them from shaking—or maybe to hide the tremor from anyone watching.