Alora worked and learned to ignore everyone around her. Patricia tried starting a conversation several times, but Alora simply answered with silence. The stares at the shop were still there, whispers followed her whenever she passed, but this time she refused to let them reach her heart. All she wanted was to finish work, go home, sleep, and forget the world for a few hours.
The moment she reached the house, her footsteps stopped.
Her heart froze.
The windows had been shattered. Pieces of wood and glass were scattered across the ground. Deep scratches covered the walls as if someone had repeatedly struck them with an axe. The neatly stacked firewood had been thrown all over the compound.
"Who... who would do this?" she whispered.
She hurriedly bent down and started arranging the scattered wood. As she lifted one piece, a folded paper slipped onto the ground.
Her hands trembled as she opened it.
****
Whore. Destroyer.
You and your family's days are numbered.
****
Her breathing stopped for a second. She didn't need anyone to tell her who had done it.
With shaking hands, she crushed the paper and threw it aside before forcing herself to clean the compound.
Not long after, Irene and William returned. The two stopped at the entrance.
"What happened?" William asked in shock.
Alora silently picked up the paper and handed it to Irene.
Irene read it once. Her face changed immediately.
Rage.
Pure rage.
"So she has finally crossed the line," Irene muttered through clenched teeth.
Without another word, the three of them cleaned the compound together. Since the window was broken, William tied an old rag across it to stop strangers from looking inside the house.
No one spoke during dinner that night. They all lay down in silence, but Irene did not sleep.
The following morning...
Irene marched straight to Agnes' house. She didn't knock. She held a cutlass tightly in one hand.
With one swing-
Crash!
The first window shattered, another swing.
Crash!
A clay pot broke into pieces. She continued destroying anything her eyes landed on.
Roy stumbled outside, barely able to stand.
"I... Ire... Irene... what... are... Are you doing?" he slurred, the smell of alcohol surrounding him.
"Payback." Irene's voice was frighteningly calm. "That's exactly what I'm doing."
Roy rushed forward to collect the cutlass, but Irene swung it fiercely through the air.
He froze instantly.
His drunken body stepped backwards. He couldn't match the strength of an angry mother. All he could do was watch Irene destroy his house until she was satisfied.
Only then did she leave.
Back home...
Alora and William watched their mother enter the compound. Sweat covered Irene's forehead, and tiny cuts stained her hands.
The cutlass was still in her grip.
"Mother..." Alora rushed to her. "Where did you go?"
"Somewhere important."
William looked at the cutlass. "Where exactly?"
Irene dropped it on the ground, and the metal echoed through the compound. She looked at both of them and calmly sat down.
"Soon you'll know."
Her lips curved into a smile.
"The person will come... and I'll be ready."
Alora and William exchanged worried glances. This wasn't their mother. Their mother was gentle. She avoided trouble, and she always forgave people.
But the woman sitting before them looked fierce... prepared... almost like someone waiting for war.
As expected...
Agnes stormed into the compound.
"You witch!" she screamed. "I saw what you did!"
"I did nothing." Irene replied innocently.
Agnes stared at her in disbelief.
"Nothing? You came into my house, destroyed my windows and my things, and you're saying nothing?"
Irene folded her arms.
"From what I remember... I simply returned the favour."
Agnes' face turned red.
"You-"
"You destroyed my house yesterday." Irene cut her off. "Today I destroyed yours. Now we're equal."
Agnes shook with anger. "I'll make you regret this!"
Irene stepped closer. "Go ahead."
For a second, neither woman moved. The entire compound was silent. Finally, Agnes stormed away.
Alora felt a chill run through her body, while William swallowed hard. They both knew...
This was only the beginning.
*****
Meanwhile...
Duncan and Jasmine spent the afternoon shopping. Duncan didn't hesitate to buy her whatever caught her attention.
The finest fabrics.
Elegant shoes.
Jewelry.
Hair accessories.
Everything matched Jasmine's simple but expensive taste. By the time they entered the carriage, several gift boxes surrounded Jasmine.
She laughed softly.
"My Lord... you really didn't have to buy all of these."
"I know."
"Then why did you?"
Duncan leaned against the carriage and looked at her.
"Because I wanted to."
Jasmine looked away immediately.
The carriage became quiet. She could feel his eyes on her.
"You need to stop staring, my Lord."
"And why should I?" His smile was slow. "I'm looking at a beautiful damsel. Am I supposed to look elsewhere?"
Jasmine felt heat rise to her cheeks. She rarely blushed. This was new.
"I know I'm beautiful." She lifted her chin proudly. "So yes... stare all you want."
Duncan laughed.
"Then don't complain."
His eyes never left her face. Unable to handle it anymore, Jasmine turned toward the window.
"Am I scary?" Duncan suddenly asked.
She looked back, confused, "No. Why would you even ask that?"
He sighed quietly, "I thought maybe you refused to look at me because I scare you."
Jasmine rolled her eyes, "You're unbelievable."
"So what should I do?"
"Nothing."
He smiled mischievously, "Look at me." His voice was gentle.
Jasmine hesitated before finally meeting his eyes.
For a few seconds...
Neither of them spoke.
Duncan's gaze slowly dropped from her eyes... to her lips. Jasmine's heartbeat stumbled, and a cold shiver travelled down her spine.
"Please stop..."
Her voice came out almost like a whisper.
"Why?"
His fingers lightly brushed against her collarbone.
"Don't you like it?"
Jasmine immediately caught his wrist, "It's not that." She took a slow breath. "It's just... too sudden."
Duncan looked disappointed for a second before smiling again.
"Nothing feels sudden to me."
"It does to me."
She gently removed his hand, "I don't want us to rush things."
Duncan sighed dramatically, "Fine." He rested his head against the carriage wall. "But at least I can hold your hand."
"No."
He looked at her in disbelief, and Jasmine laughed. A second later, she stretched her hand toward him.
"Yes... you can."
Duncan's face brightened like a child who had just won an argument. He immediately intertwined their fingers.
Neither of them spoke again. The rest of the journey passed quietly...
Hand in hand.
*****
Nathaniel dressed neatly before heading to the Ashbourne Mansion. It had been days since he properly saw Maya.
This time, he brought a bouquet filled with white and pink roses-the flowers she always admired.
Damon welcomed him with a warm smile before directing him inside. Maya stood up the moment she saw him. A smile spread across her face.
Without thinking...
They embraced.
Nathaniel pulled away and handed her the flowers.
"I missed you."
Maya smiled softly, "I missed you too."
The two sat together.
"So..." Nathaniel teased. "You didn't come to see me at the Training Yard."
"I wanted to."
"Really?"
"Jasmine held me back."
Nathaniel laughed, "You should've fought her."
Maya smiled, "That would've made me look desperate."
"My wife is allowed to be desperate."
"Oh, Your Grace." She laughed while lowering her head.
"I'm only joking."
Nathaniel moved closer until only a small distance remained between them. He slowly tucked a loose strand of hair behind Maya's ear.
"You look beautiful, Maya."
His voice was barely above a whisper. Maya stopped breathing for a moment. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin.
Her heart pounded so loudly that she was sure he could hear it.
Slowly...
She lifted her hand. Her fingers slipped into his long obsidian hair, It was softer than she imagined. Her eyes then travelled across his face.
His lips.
His sharp jawline.
Then those striking green eyes.
Eyes that looked calm...
Yet carried warmth, care, protection... and something that made her feel completely seen.
Without realizing it...
The distance disappeared, their lips met.
Soft.
Gentle.
Slow.
Nathaniel kissed her as though he was afraid she would disappear, and Maya felt fire spread through her body.
Her heartbeat raced wildly inside her chest. Time itself seemed to stop. When they finally pulled apart, Maya's cheeks were bright red.
Reality hit her all at once.
They were in the living room, where anyone could walk in at any moment. She immediately looked around in embarrassment, avoiding Nathaniel's eyes as she tried to steady her breathing. Her fingers tightened around her dress, wishing the ground would open and swallow her.
Nathaniel, on the other hand, wasn't bothered in the slightest, as there was no fear, no embarrassment, no regret.
To him, Maya was the woman he wanted to marry, so whether someone saw them or not made no difference. His wife to be.
Mrs. Maya Rose Clifford.
After a long moment of silence, Maya finally remembered the letter.
"Your Grace..."
Nathaniel looked at her, "Yes?"
She swallowed nervously before gathering the courage to ask.
"Are you married?"
Nathaniel froze.
For the first time...
The smile left his face completely, and then silence filled the room. He closed his eyes briefly, as there was no point hiding it anymore.
"Yes..." He paused, "I was."
Maya felt her heart sink, and then Nathaniel looked directly into her eyes.
"My wife died."
The smile disappeared from her face, followed by silence.
"And... I have a daughter." He took a slow breath, "Her name is Aurora."
The bouquet slipped from Maya's hands. White roses scattered across the floor, and everything suddenly made sense...
And yet nothing did.