Natalia’s POV

Scott and Eva’s betrayal hurt more than I wanted it to. I have tried to convince myself it wasn’t true until tonight, when I saw them with my two eyes kissing in that cafe, confirming every whispered rumour.

I walked home on foot, my tears masked by the rain until they ran dry. When I stepped into the house, my stepmother stood in the kitchen, humming as she prepared dinner. She didn’t even glance at me.

“Where have you been?” she asked sharply. “This dinner won’t cook itself.”

Her tone cracked something in me. Before I realized it, the whole story came spilling out. Scott’s betrayal, Eva’s smug face, everything. I hoped, for once, she’d understand.

But as always, she didn’t.

“Well, what did you expect?” she said, without even looking at me. “Eva is beautiful, and she has a successful career. Maybe Scott just saw what everyone else sees, you’re not enough.”

I froze, as if this was the first time she has defended the cruel actions of her daughter. My tears blurring once again. But she wasn’t done. “Eva!”

I turned and Eva stood smugly in the doorway.

“What can I say? Men like women with ambition,” Eva said, her grin wide.

My stepmother wrapped her arm around Eva, beaming like a proud mother she was. “My daughter just got promoted, you know. She’s going places. Maybe you should take notes, Natalia.”

Hatred bubbled in my chest. I wanted to throw the closest thing I saw at Eva, but I swallowed it down. It didn’t matter.

They didn’t matter.

I just sighed and went upstairs to my father.

I knocked once and entered. His room smelled faintly of medicine, and papers were scattered across the bed.

He smiled as I entered and both he could say anything, I hugged him. For a moment, I let myself feel safe again.

“You’ll always be my little girl,” he mumbled.

“Father, Eva…”

He sighed, cutting me off. “Natalia, she is you sister. You need to get along. For me.”

Try harder? I thought bitterly. There was no trying with her, no matter what I did she was never going to change.

As I turned to say something, the hospital paperwork greeted my eyes. Suddenly I felt like my problems didn’t matter. “Your kidney…” I took the paper and as I read the diagnosis, I could feel my heart rate slowing. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He tried to smile. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t worry?” I snapped. “How can I not worry? What about the surgery? The money?”

“Natalia, my girl, I said I will figure that out. You don’t have to worry about me,” he forced a smile on his face.

I just hugged him again, tears streaming out all the more. As if Scott’s betrayal wasn’t enough. Now this. “And the family account?” I asked as I looked up at him.

He just looked at me, and I knew what his answer was.

“I will come and check you up later,” I said and stood up. “I don’t believe this,” I added and walked out of his bedroom.

When I went to my stepmother for help, she didn’t even look up from her wine. “We need that money for Eva’s studies. Your father will manage.”

“Are you kidding me? Eva is working, and you just said she got promoted at work. She can use the money they are giving her and pay for her studies. I worked so hard for that money, and so did father. You need to make sure you pay his medical expenses,” I snapped.

She finally put her wineglass down and stood up. “Didn’t you hear what I said? We don’t have enough money. The money she gets from her work is for her personal expenses. Why are you this, selfish? I have always told your father to train you. But I can see he has failed at that.” She took her seat back. “And besides, your father supports me on this. Now, just make sure dinner is saved.” She took her sit back.

I couldn’t handle it anymore. This was too much for me, I needed a destruction.

As soon as I was out of the house, I grabbed my phone from the bag and calling Amy.

*

Amy greeted me with open arms and a knowing smile. “You need a distraction,” she said after hearing my story. “Edwin’s taking me out tonight. Come with us. He’s bringing a friend as well.”

I didn’t argue. Anything was better than home.

The club was parked and too loud, the lights painting the crowd in all kinds of colours I hadn’t even known existed.

Amy found Edwin easily, a friendly, easy-going guy who hugged me warmly before turning all his attention to her.

Not wanting to intrude, I volunteered to get drinks.

***

Micheal’s POV

The noise of the club was a welcome escape. Between my father’s ultimatum and Kimberly’s rejection, I needed something to take my mind off everything. Edwin had invited me to meet his new girlfriend, and I hoped the night would be a distraction.

But as I pushed through the crowd, I collided with someone, sending a tray of drinks crashing to the floor.

“Sorry—” I started, then froze.

It was her, the woman from the cafe, the one whose heartbreak I couldn’t stop thinking about.

Her wide eyes met mine, recognition flickering in them. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

“Let me replace those,” I offered quickly, breaking the silence.

“It’s fine,” she said, her voice soft but tired. “I’ve got it.”

“I insist,” I said, signalling the bartender.

She finally relented, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Thank you.”

When the bartender handed over the drinks, I extended a hand. “I’m Micheal.”

I didn’t need her to tell me her name. I already knew who she was, the girl I saw outside the cafe crying after they shattered her heart. Crappy ex-boyfriend, her stepsister worse, and I had a feeling her stepmother wasn’t any better.

“Natalia,” she replied, her grip firm.

For a moment, we just stood there. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, but there was something about her that made my chest tighten. I wanted to say something—anything—but the words wouldn’t come.

“Well, have a good night,” I said finally, stepping back. “And don’t drink too much. Driving will suck.”

She laughed softly, and the sound stuck in my head long after I walked away.