Mia stormed into the grand mansion, her ruined costume clinging to her like a second skin, the sharp scent of beer and humiliation filling the air around her. Droplets of alcohol dripped from her golden hair, forming a trail of disgrace across the pristine marble floors.
A servant gasped at the sight of her disheveled state. "Goodness me, Miss. What happened to you?"
Mia shot her a glare sharp enough to cut steel, her lips curling in irritation. "Mind your business." Without another word, she strode past the servant, the click of her heels echoing through the silent halls as she made her way toward the bathroom.
The moment the hot water cascaded down her skin, her mind dragged her back to the past—to her wedding day in her previous life. The memories came unbidden, slicing through her like a dagger.
"No! I never pursued him, Mia. I swear. Not once. I... I just wanted what was best for you."
"If that's true, then why did Haru choose you?" Mia had demanded, desperation clawing at her throat.
"Why didn't he choose me, if you were just helping me all along?"
"Maybe it's because... maybe it's because you were pretending to be me."
Sakura's voice had trembled, but her words were unwavering. "At least that's what Haru told me. He said he thought he was in love with you because, for so long, you were acting like me. That's why he mistook his feelings. That's why he thought he loved you, Mia."
Mia clenched her fists under the rushing water, nails digging into her palms. The pain grounded her, but it wasn't enough to wash away the truth.
She had come back to this life for one reason—to rewrite that ending. To prove to herself, to Sakura, to Haru, that he had been her's from the start. But no matter how hard she tried, no matter how many games she played, Haru always chose Sakura.
What if she was telling the truth? A traitorous whisper slithered into her thoughts.
Mia shook her head violently, sending droplets flying against the glass shower door. No. That wasn't possible.
Sakura is seducing him. Just like I'm seducing Aoi.
The thought steadied her. Yes. That was it.
By the time she stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a bathrobe, her resolve had hardened again. She tied her golden hair into a towel and walked toward her bedroom, ready to collapse into bed and pretend tonight never happened.
But the moment she stepped inside, she froze.
Her mother, Rina, sat on the chair across from the vanity, her posture unnervingly still. Her legs were crossed, and she tapped her knee with slow, deliberate movements. Waiting. Watching.
A pit formed in Mia's stomach.
"Mum, what are you doing in my room?"
"Waiting for you." Rina's voice was cold, but there was an undercurrent of something else—something dangerous. "Sit down, Mia. We need to talk."
"Not now, Mum," Mia groaned, rubbing her temples. "I'm tired."
"Now."
The sharpness in Rina's tone sent a shiver down Mia's spine. Before she could protest, her mother reached into her lap and lifted a neatly folded letter. She held it out, her expression unreadable.
"A letter from Historia University came for you," Rina said. "Take a look."
Mia's fingers trembled as she took it. The envelope was already torn open, the seal broken. Her mother had read it.
Her mind raced. Had Ryo or Kei exposed her? Did the university know everything? Was she about to be expelled?
Heart pounding, she unfolded the letter.
…
DearMissYoshino,
Regrettably, wemustinformyouthatyouhavefailedallofyourmodulesthismonthduetonon-attendanceatyourexams.
Inordertoredeemthefailedmodules, wehavescheduledare-sitinDecember. Failuretoattendwillresultintheinabilitytograduate.
Furthermore, your continued poor attendance and performance are a matter of serious concern. If this is not addressed immediately, you will not be permitted to continue studying at Historia University.
Regards,
HeadmasterGilbert
…
The words blurred as Mia's grip tightened on the paper. Her breath hitched.
Failed.
Not permitted to graduate.
Mia had been so caught up in pursuing Haru and causing revenge against Sakura, she had neglected her studies.
"Now," Rina said, her voice dangerously quiet. "Would you care to explain why you've been skipping your exams? Why you've been vanishing for days at a time?"
Mia swallowed. "It's none of your business."
Her mother's eyes darkened. "It is my business when my daughter, who we have spent an obscene amount of money sending to the best university, throws it all away!"
"I don't want to talk about it," Mia snapped.
"Oh, you will talk about it," Rina hissed. "Your behaviour has been erratic. You sneak out at all hours. You're constantly on secret phone calls. And let's not even start on your attitude—toward me, toward your father, toward the people who work in this house. That is not the daughter I raised!"
"Shut up!" Mia shouted, standing abruptly.
"I'm a nineteen-year-old grown-ass woman! I don't need to tell you everything I do! I don't need you! I can take care of myself!"
Rina's expression went blank.
Then, without warning, she stood and strode toward Mia's closet. Before Mia could react, she ripped the doors open and began yanking clothes off the hangers, throwing them onto the bed.
"Mum, what the hell are you doing?!"
"You said you don't need me," Rina said flatly.
"So go. Find somewhere else to live since you're living in my house."
Mia's breath hitched. "You're kicking me out?!"
Rina didn't answer. She turned to a servant standing in the doorway. "Pack her things. Now."
The servant hesitated. "Madam, are you sure—"
"Do it!"
The room spun around Mia.
"Wait, Mum, no—"
Rina snatched Mia's purse from her desk.
Before Mia could protest, she dug inside and pulled out all the cash.
"Hey!" Mia grabbed her mother's arm. "That's my money!"
"Actually this is my money. I gave it to you. But since you don't need me, you won't need my money. I'll be removing all the money from your bank account tomorrow."
"No! Mum you can't do that!"
Rina slapped Mia across the cheek.
A stunned silence fell over the room.
Just then, the door slammed open, and Albert, Mia's father, stepped inside. His dark hair, streaked with grey. His dark brown eyes—almost black flickered between Rina and Mia.
"Rina, calm down," he said, his voice firm but tired.
"Calm down?" Rina let out a bitter laugh. "No, Albert. I've had enough. We have spoiled our daughter. We have given her everything, and what has she done? Squandered it! I will not tolerate this ungrateful behaviour any longer!"
Albert exhaled, rubbing his temples.
Rina turned to him, voice lowering into something cold. "Let her experience the real world. If you stop me, Albert, I swear to you—I will divorce you."
Albert looked at Mia, then at Rina. His lips pressed into a thin line.
"It's not just your mother who is fed up with your behaviour and rude attitude, Mia," he said. "Get out."
Mia felt like the ground beneath her had crumbled.
"But—Dad—I—"
Albert turned away, unable to look at her.
A servant grabbed her suitcases and ushered her toward the door.
"Mum! Dad! Please! I'm sorry!" Mia screamed, struggling against the servant's grip. But neither of them moved. Neither of them answered.
The grand doors of the mansion slammed shut behind her.
The cold night air bit at her skin as she stood there, trembling in nothing but a bathrobe, surrounded by three suitcases.
Mia wasn't sure where she should go next. She had no friends.
What was she going to do?