CHAPTER TWO: The Return
> "Life is a complete cycle — filled with trainers and learners, users and used, players and played, or still being played. But remember this: losing today doesn't mean losing forever… and winning today doesn't mean you'll always win."
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Scene 1 – The Pretender
Stella followed her niece under the pretense of helping her pack.
"Darling?" she called softly.
Karma froze. Her stomach turned at the sweetness in her aunt's tone — sugar hiding poison. But with practiced calm, she turned around.
"Yes, Aunt?"
Stella smiled, eyes glistening with crocodile tears.
"What are you doing? Are you sure you want to go with her? You know you can tell me anything, right?"
She reached out, pulling Karma into a hug — fake sobs, perfect tears.
"I know you're trying to be strong but—"
"Aunt." Karma's voice was gentle, but her eyes were steady.
"I'm sure I want to go with my mom."
She paused, watching her aunt's expression carefully.
"I know you love me and care for me, but she's my mother. I want to know her… maybe she loves me too."
Her voice trembled — part acting, part truth.
Stella's arms tightened suddenly, crushing her to her chest. "Oh, dear… if only you knew…"
Before she could continue, a sharp voice cut through the air.
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Scene 2 – Departure
"I'm getting impatient," Abigail called, her tone cool but her gaze sharp.
The spell broke. Stella's lips pressed into a thin smile as she released Karma.
Abigail beckoned, and her daughter hurried to her side. Together, they left, Karma turning back only once to wave goodbye — polite, distant, final.
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Scene 3 – The Road
In the car, silence filled the space like fog.
Abigail stole glances at her daughter — this calm, self-contained girl who seemed both new and ancient.
Her thoughts churned:
Can she ever forgive me?
Can I ever forgive myself — for leaving her? For choosing my education, my future, over her childhood?
Finally, she broke the silence.
"Do you want some ice cream, K?"
Karma blinked, then smiled — a small, genuine spark that startled Abigail.
"Yes, please."
Abigail's heart warmed. She stopped by a supermarket, bought ice cream and a few snacks, and they continued their journey — mother and daughter, together yet strangers.
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Scene 4 – New Home
By the time they reached home, night had settled in.
Karma was asleep, her head resting against the window.
Abigail tried to carry her but couldn't — she was tall, heavy for her age.
Edward, her husband, stepped in, lifting Karma effortlessly.
He placed her on the lavender bed in her new room, covering her carefully. Then, without thinking, he brushed a kiss across her forehead.
Abigail chuckled softly. "What are you doing?"
He only shrugged, leading her out of the room. But as he walked away, a frown crossed his face.
"She looks… familiar," he murmured.
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Scene 5 – Nightmare
Moments later, Karma began to toss and turn, trapped between dreams and memories.
She saw herself — older now, held down by two guards.
Ahead of her, her mother and stepfather were chained, dragged mercilessly behind a moving truck on a deserted island.
She screamed, struggling to break free.
Then Stella appeared, stepping into the light with a smile that dripped venom.
"Hello, darling. Why are you crying?" she asked sweetly, tilting her head.
"I thought you hated her. I'm only helping you teach them a lesson."
Karma fell to her knees. "Aunt, please—"
SLAP.
The sound cracked like thunder.
"How dare you speak?" Stella hissed.
"Did I say you could talk?"
Karma's scream echoed across the darkness — and she jolted awake, drenched in sweat.