Kapitel 11: Debt

"Was everything you said true?" Alan's cold voice was accompanied by a condescending stare as he stood at a distance from Ephyra.

Without waiting for her reply, he continued. "You know they weren't. You lied, lied against Myra. All the things you said, the tears, I know they were all fake. If Myra hadn't told me what really happened on the day you got into an accident, then I would have believed your lies." he stepped forward. "You can never change can you?"

Eira snorted in amusement as she shook her head and turned to leave.

"You are always lying and finding ways to make Myra's life miserable. Why? Just because you're jealous of her? Despite the fact that your mother ruined a perfect home and gave birth to you, they accepted you and Myra treated you like a sister but you only paid her back with betrayal," Alan's voice grew harsher as he followed Ephyra, his anger rising with each word.

Eira stopped walking and turned slowly, her eyes gleaming with a cold intensity. "Are you done?" she asked, her voice eerily calm.

Alan's scowl deepened, surprised by her nonchalant reaction.

Still, he continued. "Myra told me she saved you from getting molested by some thugs, she also told me you sent a letter and told me the content and there was no where you mentioned that you were going to break off the engagement for her sake. And the second letter? If as it was said in the blog that it was forged then anyone could have forged it, you could have."

He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him, "Tell me, you did didn't you? You set all this up? Why? So that you could get back to Myra?"

Eira smiled and looked up at him. 'I don't know what she saw in you. You don't deserve her.' she thought as she moved her gaze to his hand holding her arm.

"Let go."

He tightened his hold, "After everything she did for you, you still shamelessly act innocent while framing the one who helped you. Tell me Ephyra, how ungrateful are you? Do you know what you did? You ruined her image in the school. Do you have any idea how she would be feeling? You–"

His words were cut off by a hard punch to his face.

She dusted off her arm—the place he held, before turning to see his shocked expression.

Eira glared at him as she spoke, "First, do not ever touch me. Second, don't you ever call me a bastard because Ephyra Allen, never was and never will. Third, you can believe whatever you want to, I don't give a fuck nor care whatever the hell you think about me. Fourth, expect whatever is coming for you. You're no different from her. You fucking piece of shit."

With that, she turned and walked forward but after taking two steps, she stopped and glanced back at him, her lips curling up.

"Oh, and lastly, after the accident, I realized that I have been stupid to have loved you so I don't anymore and I'm going to be breaking off the damned engagement so you can be with your darling Myra. No need to thank me." After telling him that, she walked away.

Immediately after she left, a hearty laugh rang out, pulling Alan out of his reverie. He turned around and frowned at the figure leaning on the wall with her arms crossed while chewing a gum.

"Ava."

The girl named Ava moved towards him with a wide smile on her pink glossy lips. She had long golden wavy hair with fringes and light gray irises. Wearing a purple plaid skirt with a matching vest over a white shirt, along with a purple tie and a headband. She pairs this with purple socks and chunky, pink Mary Jane heels.

If anyone saw her, they would think she was an innocent high-school girl but Ava McCarthy Latham was anything but innocent.

"Alan dearest, that was comedy gold." she smiled as she tilted her head, "Don't you think your fiance has changed ever since she got knocked over? Maybe the hit made her come back to her senses. Right?"

Alan ignored her and wiped the blood from his lip, still reeling from the punch. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion, but Ava's mocking voice snapped him back to reality.

"Get lost, Ava," he muttered, turning his back on her.

Ava clicked her tongue, unfazed by his cold dismissal. "Aw, come on, Alan. Don't be like that. You know, I could've told you this would happen. Ephyra was always too soft, too naive. But now?" She whistled. "She's a whole new beast."

Alan clenched his fists, unwilling to listen to her taunts. But deep down, her words gnawed at him. Ephyra had changed—there was no denying it. The quiet girl he once knew seemed like a distant memory, replaced by someone sharper, fiercer. But was it all an act?

Ava leaned in closer. "You think you know everything, don't you? Because Myra told you?" she chuckled bitterly. "Believe whatever you want. You were always blind when it came to her anyway."

He shot her a cold glare. "I said, get lost."

Ava smirked, backing away with a playful shrug. "Suit yourself. But remember this, Alan. Just because someone plays the victim doesn't mean they're innocent. And just because someone stays silent doesn't mean they're guilty."

With one last glance, she sauntered off, leaving Alan standing alone, his thoughts in disarray.

••

Myra Allen sat alone in the music room. The distant sound of students talking and laughing in the halls felt like it was a world away. She gripped the edge of the piano, her knuckles white, as the sinking realization of what had happened finally hit her.

Her phone buzzed incessantly with notifications, but she couldn't bring herself to check. She knew what they were—the messages, the gossip, the ridicule. She had been careful for so long, hiding behind her sweet smile, manipulating situations to her favor. But now, it was all falling apart.

And it was all because of that bitch!

Her phone dinged again—another comment.

"Fuck! So all the kindness was all an act? Should she become an actress, she would bag a lot of awards with her impeccable acting."

"This... this can't be fucking happening!" Myra yelled as she grabbed the vase by the side of the piano and threw it on the floor.

Remembering Ephyra's expression and words when they got into the locker room and everything that happened after, Myra realized that her step-sister had changed. A lot.

She curled her hand into a fist and said through gritted teeth, "Every damn thing was an act. The bitch set me up and she's going to pay. I will make sure of that."

Myra didn't stop to think about why Ephyra had changed so much nor did she care. All she wanted now was revenge, pure and simple.

As the glass shards scattered across the floor, Myra's anger only grew. The rage bubbling inside her once kept in check behind a polished facade, now spilled over uncontrollably

Suddenly, her phone rang but she ignored it. However, she couldn't ignore it when it started ringing for the third time. Irritated, she picked it up and was surprised to see that it was her mom calling.

"Mom?"

"My baby, are you alright?" her mother's concerned voice echoed through the phone.

Myra clenched her jaw, her anger still simmering beneath the surface. "No, Mom, I'm not alright. Everything is falling apart because of that bitch, Ephyra!"

Her mother sighed, a mix of worry and frustration lacing her voice. "It's alright, your friend called me and told me what happened. I've sent a driver to come pick you up, he will be there soon. And don't worry, I already called the principal, and he gave me his permission. Come home dear, you can tell me everything then, ok?"

"Okay."

…

"If all you said is true then, it won't be easy to control her anymore," Marianna said with a frown.

"Not only that Mom, remember that Dad is coming back today? What will happen if Ephyra tells him what I did to her?" Myra's voice trembled slightly, though her anger remained. "Dad's going to believe her! He's always doubted me."

Marianna stayed silent for a moment, her fingers tapping against the edge of the chair. "Your father..." she trailed off, contemplating the situation. "You're right. He's always had a soft spot for Ephyra. But we can't let her destroy everything we've worked for."

Myra's grip on her phone tightened. "Then what do we do?"

"I'm coming," she said as she stood up and walked to the stairs.

"What are you going to do?"

Marianna paused on the stairs, "Something I should have done a long time ago."

Reaching her room, she quickly shut the door behind her. The opulence of her surroundings—a grand bed draped with silk linens, towering mirrors, and carefully arranged vases—faded into the background as she strode toward the drawer.

With steady fingers, she pressed the hidden button at the side of the ornate dresser, activating the concealed compartment. The soft click of the drawer sliding out reverberated in the silence, revealing a collection of objects that she hadn't touched in years.

Her eyes scanned the contents until they landed on what she was looking for—a small, black, sleek card embossed with a devil's horn in silver. She hesitated, her hand hovering above it, memories from long ago stirring in her chest. But there was no room for doubt now. Myra's future—and her own—depended on what she did next.

Picking up the card, Marianna sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers trembling only slightly as she dialed the number inscribed on it. Each ring on the other end sent a wave of tension up her spine until finally, the call connected.

"Who is this?" A gruff voice answered, rough and cold. The sound of it brought her back to a time when she swore she'd never need this connection again. Yet, here she was.

Marianna's grip on the card tightened, knuckles whitening. "It's Mari," she said softly but with an edge. "You remember me, right, Rico?"

There was a pause, followed by a low chuckle. "Mari… Marianna Vargas. I didn't expect to hear from you after all these years." His voice dripped with amusement, but there was an underlying menace she hadn't forgotten.

"Times change," she replied, her tone sharper now. "I wanna collect my debt, Rico."

"Collect, huh?" He sounded intrigued, almost entertained. "After all these years? What do you want, Mari? You need a bodyguard? A scare tactic?"

"No, I need you to kill someone."

There was a long silence on the other end.

Finally, he spoke, his voice colder than before. "Who's the target?"

Marianna exhaled, steadying herself before uttering the name. "Ephyra Allen."

Another pause followed, this one more measured. Rico's voice came back, a mocking and amused edge to it. "Family?"

Marianna's silence was all the confirmation Rico needed.

"You always did have a ruthless side, Mari. Alright. You know my price, and you know how this works. I'll need details. Where, when, and how clean you want this to be."

"I'll send you the details soon."

"Good," Rico said. "Just remember—once I get started, there's no going back."

"I know."

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