The silence in the living room felt sharp—too sharp. Like the edge of a knife.
Arora Arianna crossed her legs gracefully on the expensive couch she once helped Calvin choose. She belonged there. Or at least, she acted like she still did.
Fini stood by the hallway, her fists clenched behind her back. She didn't trust herself to speak.
Calvin sat on the other end of the couch, far from Arora, but not far enough.
"You haven't changed," Arora said with a lazy smile. "Still tense around me."
"I didn't expect to see you," Calvin replied coldly.
"Really? Because the last time we talked, it didn't sound like you'd moved on."
Fini's heart stopped. Her gaze flicked to Calvin—but his expression didn't flinch.
"That conversation was years ago," he said. "And I'm married now."
"To her?" Arora chuckled and glanced at Fini. "Please."
Fini stepped forward. "What do you want?"
"I want what's mine." Arora's eyes returned to Calvin. "And he was mine first."
---
Upstairs, Liora listened from the top of the staircase. Her lips curled into a dangerous smirk.
Arora was everything she needed—poised, cruel, and obsessed with Calvin.
Later that night, she knocked gently on Arora's guest room door.
"I believe we're on the same side," Liora said simply.
Arora raised an eyebrow. "I work alone."
"Pity," Liora sighed. "Because together, we could ruin her."
The two women stood in silence for a moment. Then Arora smiled.
"Tell me your plan."
---
Meanwhile, Fini sat in the garden, staring blankly at her tea. Her thoughts swirled like a storm: Why was Arora back? What did Calvin really feel?
She barely noticed the maid approach with an envelope.
"This came for you, ma'am. No return address."
Fini opened it slowly.
Inside was a handwritten letter. Faded, careful penmanship.
> Dear Fini,
I don't know if Ezra told you about me. But I've watched your relationship with him from afar. And I believe you should know the truth. Ezra didn't leave because he wanted to. He was forced.
Please meet me. I'll explain everything.
— L. Hadira
Ezra's mother.
Her hand trembled.
Why now?
---
Later that night, Calvin sat on the edge of their bed, rubbing his temple.
Fini stepped out of the bathroom, hair damp, in her robe.
"You okay?" she asked.
He looked up at her, eyes tired. "You want the truth?"
She sat beside him. "Always."
He sighed.
"Arora and I… we were together for five years. Engaged for one."
"What happened?"
He hesitated. Then said quietly, "I caught her lying. Repeatedly. About where she was. Who she was with. I found out she'd been meeting my father behind my back."
Fini blinked. "Your father?"
"He wanted her for a business merger. Arora… accepted. Without telling me. She was playing both sides."
Fini was silent.
"I left her. But I never got closure."
She stared at him. "Do you still love her?"
His jaw clenched.
"I thought I did," he said. "But now…"
He turned to Fini, his voice quieter.
"Now I don't know if I ever knew what love really was—until I started losing you."
Her breath caught.
---
But across the mansion, Liora and Arora were finalizing their first plan.
> "You get him back," Liora said, sipping her wine. "I'll make sure she never carries his child."
Arora smiled darkly.
"Let's burn her whole world down."
---
End of Chapter 9