The days that followed were quiet–too quiet. But Maria knew better than to trust silence.
It wasn't peace.
It was preparation.
And in the shadows of that silence, Liz began her next move.
At Flower School
Lila stood near the sandbox, giggling as she built a lopsided castle with a friend.
From behind a black-tinted car window across the street, Liz watched.
She hadn't meant to drive there again.
But something about seeing that little girl–so much like her–kept pulling her in like gravity.
"Ma'am," her assistant said cautiously, "we shouldn't be here again. If someone recognizes–"
"Just give more minutes," she interrupted softly, her voice oddly fragile.
The girl-her daughter–was real.
And she couldn't stop staring.
Later that week, at a bookstore café in town, Lila and Sara had just stepped out after a small private reading event.
Liz was already seated at a far end of the café.
The moment Lila walked in, Liz lit up.
"Hi again," Liz greeted, smiling.
The child blinked, then grinned. "It's the funny aunty!"
Sara's eyes narrowed instantly.
*Hi," Liz added to Sara. "I think we've met?"
Sara didn't smile. "You've met the boss."
Liz chuckled. "Ah... no wonder your face says 'approach with caution.'"
Lila tilted her head. "You came to my school before. Momma said you're someone she used to know. Are you her friend?"
The question hung heavy in the air.
Liz knelt to the girl's level. "I used to be. But I made some mistakes. And I really, really hope I can fix them."
Lila blinked again. "You can say sorry. Mommy always says sorry fixes things."
Sara placed a hand on Lila's shoulder. "It's time to go, little one."
Lila waved. "Bye, funny aunty!"
As they walked away, Sara looked over her shoulder. Her eyes said one thing: We see you. Try it. We're ready.
That Night – Maria's Office
"She approached her again," Sara reported, pacing.
Maria's jaw clenched. "What did she say?"
"Nothing too direct. But Lila is getting attached."
Maria exhaled slowly. "That's her plan. Manipulate the child. Bypass me."
Sara nodded. "Should we cut her off completely? Send a legal warning?"
"No," Maria said, eyes narrowing. "Let her believe she's getting through."
Sara pauses. "What are you planning?"
Maria opened her laptop, revealing a document she had been editing.
A project proposal.
One that would place her fashion brand at the heart of a university's new creative therapy program.
The same university Liz was set to consult for.
"I'm inviting her into my world now," Maria said coldly. "Let's see how well she plays when I hold the strings."
Elsewhere – Liz' Hotel Room
Liz started at an old photo–her and Maria, arms slung around each other, laughing, wild and free.
She barely recognized herself.
And as she closed her laptop–still open to Maria's recent interviews and fashion showcases–she whispered to herself:
"You're still beautiful. Still strong. Still... mine."
But behind her eyes, another truth simmered.
If she couldn't have Maria...
No one could.