Sara had just stepped out of the shower, drying her damp hair with a towel when—KNOCK KNOCK. "Sara, can I come in?" her mother's voice called from the other side of the door. "Come in, Mom," Sara replied wearily, not pausing in her task. Her mother entered and sat down in front of her, silently watching as Sara continued dryingher
hair. "What is it, Mom? Why are you staring at me like that?" Sara finally asked. Her mother hesitated before speaking. "I just came to let you know…you need to be readybythis evening. A family is coming over with a marriage proposal. The boy is very handsome—"The towel slipped from Sara's hand. "What?" she snapped, rage flaring in her voice. "MOM, I TOLD YOU I'MNOT GETTINGMARRIED! Why are you still looking for matches behind my back?" Her mother shot up, just as angry. "So what—are you planning to stay single forever?!"
"I won't be staying with you forever either," Sara shot back. "Once I leave on that scholarship, I'm never coming back!" Her voice trembled with fury as she screamed, "I'M WARNING YOU, MOM! IF YOUTRYTOFORCE ME INTO MARRIAGE—I SWEAR—I'LL CROSS EVERY LIMIT!" But before her mother could respond, her eyes caught something—Sara's hands. "Sara… what—what have you done to your hands?!"
"What?" Sara said in the same sharp tone, almost confused. "YOUR HANDS!" her mother shouted, grabbing them roughly. "What have you done toyourself?! Look at this! Why would you hurt yourself like this?!" Sara yanked her hands away. "So what? They're my hands. I'll do what I want. I hate myself
anyway!"
Tears glistened in her eyes now. Her voice cracked. "Stop interfering in every part of mylife! I
know you care, but that doesn't give you the right to stop me from living it! I have problems too, okay?! Real ones! And they're mine to deal with!" There was silence for a moment. Then her mother spoke coldly. "This is all because of those so-called 'friends' of yours, isn't it? The ones who came over that
day? I'm glad you graduated. You won't be meeting them anymore. They were spoiling you.""MAERA HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!" Sara screamed, and before her mother couldreact, she hurled a glass across the room, smashing it against the wall. Her breath ragged with fury, she snatched her bike keys and stormed out of the house. Present Day. Sara sat locked in her room, lost in the heavy fog of memory. When she finally snapped out of it, her cheeks were damp with tears. "…Why…" she whispered. "Why is it always you, Maera? Why are you everywhere…ineverycorner of my mind… even after everything…" She leaned against the wall, broken. "You didn't just leave me… you ruined me. You made meunworthy of love… and now I don't even know whether to hate you—or still love you." Outside her room, Alexa had raised a hand to knock—but stopped. She had heard everything. So… in Sara's life, I'm still no one. Just a friend. Nothing more. Her fists clenched. But I love you, Sara… and I won't let Maera's curse devour you. Holding back her emotions, Alexa finally knocked softly and said, "Sara…I'mheading home. Please lock the door behind me. And… I'm sorry." She waited a moment. No reply. With a deep breath, Alexa turned and left. Sara heard the door close. She stepped out of her room, glancing down the empty hallway. Alexa was gone. But something had changed. A war was waging inside her now. And like it or not… Alexa had just become part of it. Sara ran a hand through her hair, seething. "Shit… FUCK!"
She hurled a nearby vase against the wall and then stormed into the washroom, slammingthedoor behind her. Meanwhile, Sam and Zero had just finished their last class of the day. As promised, they were heading out to eat—Sam's treat. They strolled down the university's final corridor when Zero spoke. "Hey… Sam. Alexa looked really off today."
"Yeah," Sam agreed, frowning. "She left early too. I think… she went to Sara's place."
Just then, a voice interrupted them. "Hey, Sam…"
It was Georgia, one of their classmates. Her tone was sweet—and deliberately flirtatious. "Hey," Sam said, giving a polite smile. "Where have you been hiding?" she teased. "Haven't seen you around lately."
"Still here," Sam said with a slight grin. "And now… right in front of you." Zero, standing beside him, clenched his fists tightly. Georgia laughed, brushing her hand over Sam's shoulder playfully. "So…if you're free, howabout we hang out? Or better… we could go to your place." Before Sam could respond, Zero suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Georgia's hand, andpulledit away. "Georgia," he said flatly, "Sam's with me today. We're going out to eat. He's treating. After that, we're going to his place to play games. We'll probably stay up late. Maybe even sleep over. Tomorrow? We're doing a joint study session." He said the whole thing in a single breath—calm, monotone, and deadly serious. Georgia's smile disappeared. She shot Zero a venomous glare. "Fine. If you're busy, Sam, I won't
bother you. Enjoy your time—with your friend." She spun on her heel and stormed off. Sam, who had stood frozen like a mannequin, finally blinked. "…Zero… what the hell was that?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" Zero said, feigning innocence. Sam narrowed his eyes. "Seriously? Were you just jealous of a girl?" Zero stared back, unflinching. "This hangout is ours, Sam. I don't tolerate interference. Anyonewho tries… will get the same treatment." His voice was ice. But as he walked away, his thoughts were far from calm. What's happening to me? Why do I feel this way? Sam getting attention from girls has never
bothered me before… so why now?
"Zero, talk to me," Sam said, suddenly grabbing both of Zero's arms and stepping close. His
voice lowered. "If something's wrong, you can tell me. I'm here." Zero's heart skipped a beat. It was happening again. Just like that day…
He could hear his own heartbeat thundering in his ears, and Sam was close enough to hear it too. "I—Are we eating or what?" Zero mumbled nervously, slipping from Sam's grasp and hurryingahead, clearly flustered. Sam stood rooted, watching him go. Something was off. That heartbeat… just like before. "…Could it be… is this because of me?" Sam wondered aloud, shaking his head. He took a breath, shoved the thought aside, and followed Zero down the corridor. To be continued…