Outside the mall, Anne stepped into her car and Clara followed her inside. The moment the door closed, Clara looked at Anne's injured wrist. "Anne."
Anne sighed and leaned against the car seat. "I'm fine."
Clara immediately frowned. "No, you're not." She gently took Anne's wrist. "You've been saying that all day."
Anne looked down at her hand. The marks from Olivia's nails were still visible. "It isn't that serious."
Clara looked at her. "You always say that."
Anne gave a small smile. "And usually I'm right."
"Not this time." Clara carefully released her wrist and turned her attention fully towards her. "You should have someone look at it."
"I'll take care of it later."
Clara sighed. She knew there was no point arguing when Anne had already made up her mind. For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Anne looked out of the window. The mall slowly disappeared behind them as the car began moving. Her expression gradually became distant. "Clara…"
"Yes?"
"That message I received earlier…"
Clara's smile disappeared and she looked confused. "What message?"
Anne reached for her phone. She opened the conversation with the unknown number. The last message was still there.
Someone who knows what really happened to you.
Clara stared at the screen, and her expression immediately changed. "Anne…"
Anne didn't look at her. "I think today's incident wasn't just a coincidence."
Clara frowned. "What do you mean?"
Anne slowly turned toward the window. Her eyes became cold. "I think someone is trying to distract me."
Clara looked at her carefully. "From what?"
Anne looked back at the message. "From the truth."
Clara remained silent. Anne locked her phone.
"Three years ago, someone tried to destroy my life." Her voice was quiet. "But now…"
She paused. Her eyes looked toward the city outside. "...I think that person has finally started moving again."
Clara's expression became serious. "Do you think someone is behind what happened today?"
"I don't know." Anne shook her head. "But everything happened too perfectly."
She looked down at her phone again. "The message came before the incident." She paused. "Then Olivia created another scene."
Clara frowned. "And you think someone wanted you distracted?"
Anne nodded slightly. "Maybe."
The car slowly pulled away from Imperial City Mall. Behind them, the mall continued operating as if nothing had happened.
People continued shopping. Cars continued moving through the streets.
Everyone continued with their normal lives, but for Anne, the peaceful afternoon was over. Because the past she had tried to bury for three years… had finally begun knocking on her door again.
***
After Anne left with Clara, Eva and Madison came out of the mall. They stood outside, waiting for the driver. The evening air was slightly cool, but neither woman paid attention to it.
Madison could see that Eva was really upset about everything that had happened. She wanted to speak and she wanted to explain herself, but she was hesitant.
She knew Eva well. Once Eva became angry about something, she didn't easily listen to anyone. So Madison remained silent. But the uncomfortable silence between them slowly became unbearable.
Madison looked at Eva several times. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. "Eva…"
Eva didn't look at her.
Madison took a breath. "I know you're upset, but please don't be silent." She turned toward her. "Talk to me."
Eva closed her eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry, Madison." Her voice sounded tired. "But I want some peace for now."
Madison's expression fell.
Eva continued. "We will talk later." She paused. "You and Olivia go with the driver. He will drop you off at the Williams home."
Madison immediately became worried. "What about you?"
"I'll go with Jason."
Madison frowned. "Eva, why are you going with Jason?" She looked toward the road. "You can come with us. The driver can drop me and Olivia off first."
Eva shook her head. "No."
Madison became more anxious. "Eva…"
"Please." Eva's voice remained firm. "I just need some time."
Madison tried to calm the situation. "Please don't be upset anymore. I know you're upset because of the way Sophie created the scene inside."
Eva finally turned toward her. Her expression was filled with disappointment. "I'm not upset that Sophie made a scene inside."
Madison became silent.
Eva continued. "I know how Sophie is." She gave a bitter smile. "I don't expect her to behave herself because that's how she is."
Madison lowered her gaze. Eva's voice became softer. "I'm upset with you."
Madison slowly looked up.
"And every other person who misunderstood Anne."
Her eyes became slightly red.
"You all blamed her for everything without even knowing what happened."
Madison didn't say anything. She couldn't, because Eva was right. She had done exactly that. She had seen Olivia crying. She had seen Anne standing there and without asking Anne what happened, she had immediately believed Olivia.
Again.
Madison looked toward the ground. She didn't know how to explain herself. How could she explain something she couldn't even justify to herself?
She had failed Anne again. Her own daughter. Her baby. The child she had carried and raised. Yet when Anne needed her to believe her, Madison had stood on someone else's side.
She remembered the look on Anne's face. There had been no anger.
No shouting.
No accusations.
Only silence and somehow, that hurt Madison even more. Her eyes slowly became wet.
Anne must be so hurt.
She had probably expected her mother to protect her. But instead, Madison had blamed her.
Again.
Madison swallowed hard. "Eva…"
Eva looked at her. Madison's voice trembled. "I know I was wrong."
Eva didn't answer. Madison continued. "I should have trusted Anne."
Her eyes filled with tears. "I should have listened to her before judging her."
Eva sighed. "Madison, Anne doesn't need you to be perfect."
Madison looked at her. "Then what does she need?"
Eva looked at her seriously. "She needs you to believe her."
Madison's heart tightened. She lowered her head. For years, she had told herself that Anne was strong.
That Anne could take care of herself. That Anne didn't need anyone. But perhaps that was the problem.
Maybe because Anne never asked for anything, Madison had stopped noticing when her daughter needed her.
Maybe Anne had been silently waiting for her mother to choose her and Madison had failed her every single time.
A car slowly stopped in front of them. Eva looked toward it.
"Jason's car."
Madison nodded. Eva opened the door.
Before getting inside, she looked back at Madison. "Think about everything that happened today."
Madison nodded. "I will."
Eva paused. "And Madison…"
"Yes?"
"Don't wait until it's too late to realize what Anne means to you."
Madison's eyes became red. She knew exactly what Eva meant.