Lara threw the door open violently.
— You leech!
Mia, who was sitting on her bed, slowly lifted her head.
— Care to repeat that?
— You're just a shameless parasite, living off others! A useless nobody.
Mia burst into laughter, but her gaze was icy.
— I won't let you talk to me like that. You don't know me, and you'd better watch your mouth.
Lara stepped closer, towering over her.
— I know enough to see that you're just a burden. So insignificant that even your parents preferred to disappear rather than put up with a useless weight like you.
A heavy silence fell. Then, without warning, Mia slapped her hard. Lara staggered slightly, her head turned from the impact, a red mark forming on her cheek.
At that moment, Cid arrived. Before he could say anything, Mia spoke, her voice trembling with anger:
— Never talk about my parents again, Mia growled. And don't think that just because you have a pretty face, you're entitled to look down on others. Unlike you, I know what it means to fight to survive. All you are is a spoiled brat living off other people's money, without knowing what it means to work for a living.
Lara, furious and humiliated, stormed out, slamming the door.
Cid rolled his eyes, exasperated.
— Mia…
But when he looked at her, he noticed her eyes were filled with tears.
— Mia…
He stepped closer, but she backed away, her voice trembling.
— Get out.
— Listen, I—
— Get out!
Seeing that he wasn't moving, she pushed him out and shut the door. Cid stood there for a moment, hearing Mia's muffled sobs. His heart clenched. Clenching his fists, he headed downstairs, furious.
In the living room, Lara paced back and forth, fuming.
— Cid, you're going to kick her out right now!
Cid's gaze darkened.
— If you don't like the situation, you can go stay at a hotel.
Lara stopped dead.
— Excuse me?
— You heard me. I won't tolerate you disrespecting Mia anymore.
Lara, stunned, took a few seconds to respond.
— You… You prefer her over me? That nobody?
Cid raised his hand, ready to slap her but stopped just in time.
— Get out of my house, he said in an icy tone.
Lara narrowed her eyes, then a defiant smile crossed her lips.
— You seem to be forgetting something…
She stepped closer.
— Your adoptive father, my uncle, left his fortune to you… but you can only claim it if you marry me. Otherwise, it all goes to me.
Cid crossed his arms.
— So what?
— If you kick me out, you lose everything.
Silence. Then an amused smile appeared on Cid's lips.
— Take it all, then. I don't need that inheritance.
Lara lost her confidence.
— What?
— I don't need the money. I work and do just fine on my own.
Lara paled.
— Cid… are you serious?
— Dead serious.
Lara clenched her fists.
— This is your last chance.
Cid pointed at the door.
— Make sure you close it on your way out.
Furious, Lara grabbed her things and stormed out, leaving behind a relieved Cid…
Cid watched her leave without regret. He climbed the stairs and stopped in front of Mia's door. He placed a hand on the wood, hesitating to knock.
But instead, he simply murmured:
— I'm sorry.
Then, he walked away in silence.