My mother’s funeral felt unreal, like I was just drifting through it without actually being there. I stood beside her coffin like a hollow version of myself, staring at the woman who had been my whole world—now silent, cold, unreachable.
Her last call kept replaying in my head. The way she tried to sound calm. The way she said goodbye as if she still had time.
Inside, I felt completely empty.
Julian never came. No calls. No messages. Nothing.
So I didn’t tell him either. He didn’t know my mother was gone. He didn’t know I had collapsed. He didn’t know I was pregnant. He didn’t know I had already chosen to end it.
And maybe that was the truth—I wasn’t important enough for him to care, unless he chose to. I was just too blind to see it before.
When I got back home, the apartment felt heavier than ever, like even the air had given up. I hugged my mother’s worn sweater tightly against my chest and slid down to the floor, crying until my throat felt raw and useless.
I didn’t know how long I stayed there.
Maybe hours. Maybe the whole night.
Then the door opened.
Julian walked in like nothing had happened in the world.
“Aria?” he called casually, almost cheerful. “I brought you something—Grandma said you might like it.”
He came in holding shopping bags—expensive brands, perfumes, clothes I used to love once, back when life still felt normal.
He didn’t even glance at my face properly. Didn’t notice my swollen eyes. Didn’t see how drained I looked. The funeral card was still on the table, but it didn’t register to him.
Instead, he smiled like everything was fine. “I missed you.”
I just stared at him.
He dropped onto the couch and casually pulled out wedding brochures like we were talking about dinner plans. “So… garden wedding or hotel ballroom? Grandma wants us to decide soon.”
My silence didn’t stop him. He kept flipping pages. “Oh, and I spoke to someone I know who has contacts in London. They can get you into a solid medical program there.”
I blinked slowly. “London?”
He nodded, almost excited. “Yeah. Top schools, great future. You’ve always wanted to be a doctor, right? This is your chance.”
“And… leave?” I asked quietly.
He gave a small shrug. “Long distance isn’t impossible. We’ll manage. Maybe it’s even better. You focus on your studies. And I—” he smiled lightly “—focus on business.”
Something cold settled in my chest.
If this was the old me, I would’ve believed it was love and support. Now I could only see it for what it was—convenience. A way to quietly move me out of the picture when I was no longer useful. A way to pass me around without Grandma noticing.
My fingers curled tightly in my lap. “Do you want me gone?”
He didn’t answer.
That silence was enough.
Something inside me didn’t just hurt—it snapped into place. Like everything suddenly made sense.
I nodded faintly. “I’ll think about it.”
His face brightened immediately. “Good. Really, London would suit you.”
Of course it would. For him.
He stood, straightening his suit as if nothing heavy had just been said. “Actually, I want you to meet someone. Two people, really.”
My body tensed.
He opened the door wider.
And I saw him.
Kieran.
Same face. Same eyes. But the expression was completely different—mocking, casual, like he was already enjoying the moment.
“Aria,” he said with a grin too wide to be genuine. “Nice to finally meet you properly.”
My lungs tightened. My hands went cold.
Julian looked pleased, completely unaware of what was happening inside me. “That’s my twin brother. I should’ve introduced him earlier, but he travels a lot. And… well, things with Grandma weren’t great before. Only recently did he come back and apologize.”
I couldn’t even process it properly. My chest felt like it was being pressed from all sides.
Then the door shifted again.
And she walked in.
Mira.
The same girl who had made my life miserable since school.
The queen of every hallway she entered—always loud, always untouchable, always making sure I knew I didn’t belong anywhere near her world.
She ruined my name with rumors, turned people against me with whispers, laughed at my clothes, and made sure I never felt safe walking alone. She cornered me, humiliated me, and turned every day into something I had to survive instead of live.
And somehow, she still looked perfect.
Red lipstick. Soft curls. Expensive dress. She lit up the room like she owned it.
“Aria!” she squealed dramatically, rushing toward me with open arms. “Oh my gosh, it’s been forever!”
Before I could even step back, she hugged me.
My body went rigid instantly.
Every nerve in me recoiled at the contact, like my skin refused to accept it.
She pulled away slightly, studying me. Her smile wavered when she saw I wasn’t smiling back.
A small pout formed. “What, still not over me?” she said lightly, tilting her head. Then she gave a soft laugh. “Wait… shouldn’t I be the one scared of you? You used to bully me, remember?”
My breath caught.
Julian turned sharply toward me. “Bully you? Aria, what is she talking about?”
Mira placed a hand on her chest like she was hurt. “Oh… I guess she never mentioned it,” she said sweetly. “We were friends once. Until she turned on me.”
