She stared at me like she wanted to slap me. But she did not. She just stood there, fuming, her chest rising and falling quickly.

I turned again, proud of myself, ready to leave for real this time. My heels echoed behind me.

But then I heard her voice, low and bitter behind me. “Enjoy your little victory, Leylla,” she said.

I stopped. Looking back. That was not about Vincent.

“Enjoy it while it lasts. No one knows about tomorrow,” she added. “And pests and nobodies like you never win ...