The evening had started with Isla dragging Adelina to one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city, a perfect place to drown their sorrows in good food and even better company. The stress and anger from earlier were still fresh in Adelina's chest, but Isla had insisted. She would make sure that her best friend didn't let the bitter surprise ruin the rest of the night.
The moment they stepped into the restaurant, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with the gentle hum of background conversations and the clink of fine china. Isla led Adelina to a table in the corner, where they could talk and laugh in peace, away from the prying eyes of the world.
They wasted no time in ordering, their laughter filling the air as they reminisced about old times, and Isla kept the conversation light-hearted, talking about her travels and all the little adventures she'd had while abroad. The moment felt like an escape from the reality that was waiting for her outside.
But as fate often had a cruel way of playing its hand, the peace was short-lived. The door to the private dining room opened, and in walked none other than Mila, Jared, and their family. Adelina's stomach churned at the sight of them, and her eyes instinctively locked onto Jared, who was already staring at her with an unsettling intensity. He said nothing, just watched her, as if waiting for her to react.
Mila, ever the actress, smiled brightly when she saw Adelina. "Adelina!" she called out, her voice sickeningly sweet. "It's been so long. We all miss you so much. Jared's been quiet tonight, just thinking about you."
Her tone was innocent, but it was laced with an unmistakable air of condescension. She went on to add, "You know, the family has been hoping you'd come back home soon. They miss you, and we just want things to be like they used to be."
Adelina's heart twisted with disgust. She could hardly believe the audacity of Mila—acting as if nothing had happened, as if everything was fine.
Her father, sitting at the table behind Mila, smiled politely. "You should come by the house sometime, Adelina. We'd love to see you again. Your stepmother has been worried about you."
Adelina said nothing. She didn't even acknowledge them, her eyes cold and distant. She wasn't going to let them play this game. She wasn't going to be the one to forgive them, not now, not ever. So, without a word, she turned to Isla.
"I need to use the restroom," Adelina said, standing up abruptly, her voice firm but controlled.
Isla, noticing the sudden change in her friend's demeanor, nodded understandingly. "Of course. I'll stay here. Take your time."
Adelina made her way to the restroom, trying to shake off the nauseating feeling in her stomach. But before she could reach the door, she felt someone follow her. She turned to see Mila standing behind her, her expression still innocent, her posture still perfect.
"I just want to talk," Mila said, her voice dripping with false sincerity. "I want to apologize for everything. I know I hurt you, and I never meant to do that."
Adelina stared at her, unimpressed, her lips tightening into a thin line. She wasn't interested in hearing Mila's hollow apologies, and she made that clear. "Save it," she snapped. "I'm not interested in what you have to say."
Mila's face faltered for a split second before she quickly composed herself. "Please, I really want to make things right. I know I was wrong. I just—"
Before Mila could continue, Adelina pushed past her, making her way into the restroom. She had had enough. She didn't want to hear it anymore. She just needed some space, some air to breathe, away from the poisonous presence of her stepsister.
But as she stepped forward, Mila blocked the door, her hand resting lightly on the doorknob. "You can't just ignore me forever, Adelina," she said, her voice now cold and menacing. "I owe you an apology. I need you to hear me out."
Adelina's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at Mila, feeling the sting of every word she had ever said to her. The betrayal, the hurt—it all came rushing back in an instant. She was done. She couldn't stand the sight of Mila pretending to be innocent anymore.
"I said move," Adelina said, her voice low and dangerous.
But instead of stepping aside, Mila grinned. In a swift motion, she elbowed Adelina in the stomach, knocking the breath out of her. Adelina stumbled back, her vision momentarily blurred.
"Ah!" Mila cried out, clutching her stomach dramatically. "You hit me! You hit me!"
Before Adelina could react, Mila screamed, "Help! She's attacking me!" Her voice rang out through the restroom, and within seconds, Jared and the rest of the family burst through the door.
"What's going on?" Jared demanded, his face contorted with rage. "What did you do to her?"
Adelina stood there, stunned, still clutching her stomach, trying to gather herself. "She elbowed me, Jared. She—"
"You liar!" Mila shrieked, her voice high-pitched and full of fake terror. "She attacked me first. She's always been so violent!"
Jared's eyes locked onto her, his face twisted with fury. "You really need to leave us alone, Adelina. You're making everything worse. If you really want to make this go away, just stay out of our lives. I'll even give you money if you need it. Just... leave us be."
Adelina's chest constricted in disbelief. Was this how low they had sunk? Now, they were offering her money, as if it would make up for everything they had done?
Before she could respond, her stepmother, red-faced with anger, stormed into the restroom, her hand raised. Without hesitation, she slapped Adelina across the face. "You've ruined enough lives already. You'll never be part of this family again," she hissed.
As the family quickly ushered Mila out of the restroom, Adelina stood frozen, her cheek burning from the slap, her heart breaking from the betrayal she had just witnessed once again. Jared's words echoed in her mind. "Leave us alone... even if I have to pay you."
But Adelina wasn't going to be silenced anymore. Not by them. Not by anyone.