Chapter 14: "What did you come here to do, you loser?

"What did you come here to do, you loser?" Nova's cold words hit Maya like a slap. She blinked, wondering if she was dreaming. This was her sister, wasn’t it? The same one who had just asked kindly about her in the sitting room, smiling as if she actually cared?

Back in the sitting room, their mom had watched them exchange pleasantries, probably thinking the bond between them had held firm, despite all the years apart and how things used to be. But now, in the privacy of Nova’s bedroom, that friendly mask had fallen away, revealing a harshness Maya hadn’t expected.

For a moment, she told herself she must have misheard. Maybe Nova was on the phone? But no, Nova’s gaze was fixed on her, eyes narrowed with something like disdain. Maya’s heart skipped a beat.

"You said…?" she managed, her voice softer than she intended. She didn’t want to make trouble. She wasn’t here to stir up old fights. But Nova didn’t answer, instead turning to lock the door with a loud, deliberate click, Maya’s heart began to race.

"What are you doing?" Maya asked, the words spilling out in a nervous rush. "Why are you locking the door? Did you bring me in here just to argue? Is this how you want to catch up after three years?" She tried to sound calm.

Nova didn’t respond. She took a step closer, muttering something under her breath as she pulled the key from the lock, leaving Maya feeling trapped. But then, as if she had changed her mind, Nova unlocked the door again, almost too quickly.

Maya just stared, trying to make sense of her sister’s strange behavior. And then, in a tone dripping with contempt, Nova turned to her. "Loser. What did you come back for? Didn’t you say you didn’t need us anymore? Even if you didn't say it in words, your actions did.”

Maya tried to force a smile, hoping it would lighten the tension. But Nova’s glare didn’t waver.

"Remember what you told me years ago?" Nova continued, her voice sharp. "You said you will be greater than me."

Maya’s heart sank. She searched her memory, bewildered. "Nova, where is all this coming from?"

"If you had actually succeeded with that billionaire," Nova scoffed, "you would have been flaunting your wealth right now, throwing it in my face like you always wanted."

"I... I don’t even remember saying that." There was innocence in her eyes.

Nova’s eyes, filled with resentment that seemed to have been waiting years to surface. "Don’t lie to me. I was thirteen when you said it."

Maya shook her head slowly, confused and hurt. "Thirteen? Nova, if you were thirteen, I was only nine. I was just a kid. It was probably something silly I said out of anger." Her voice softened, hoping her sister might see reason. But Nova’s face remained stone cold.

"That’s your problem, not mine," Nova retorted. "So, tell me, why did you come back here? You failed in your little venture, so now you want to latch onto our parents’ business? Something I’ve poured my life into? Do you expect Dad to hand you the reins just because you ask? If you think you can whitewash yourself back in here, you’re mistaken. I’ll make sure you regret it."

Maya’s shoulders slumped, her eyes couldn't hold back tears. She had never expected this level of hostility. "You haven’t changed," she whispered, the words laced with hurt.

"And I’m glad I haven’t," Nova replied, her voice like ice. "I know exactly who you are. You’ve come to manipulate this home again, just like you always did. Dad's favorite!" She snapped.

Maya’s heart broke, her sister’s words tearing at her. She had returned to her family home, but this felt nothing like home. Her parents’ house now seemed like a hostile territory, and her sister, a stranger filled with contempt.

Without warning, the door swung open, and Mr. Edward appeared, his expression filled with concern. He must have heard Maya’s quiet sobs, the unmistakable sound of tears that refused to stay hidden.

In an instant, Nova’s expression shifted. Her harsh glare softened into something almost sympathetic as she stepped forward, adopting a tone that was syrupy sweet. "I was just telling Maya she deserves better than her heartless ex-husband," Nova said, her voice warm, friendly even. "Why would she still cry over a man who abandoned her during labor?"

Mr. Edward looked at Maya, his eyes filled with worry. "Is that true?" he asked gently.

The question broke Maya’s remaining composure, and her tears flowed freely, the weight of her sister’s betrayal nearly crushing her.

"Please, Maya, stop crying," Nova said, her hand reaching out to rest on Maya’s shoulder in a show of false comfort. But Maya saw the deception in her sister’s eyes, the cold calculation lurking beneath that gentle touch. The same hands that had pointed accusingly minutes ago now offered comfort, a twisted performance that only added to Maya’s confusion and pain.

Mr. Edward held Maya’s hands, his gaze warm but troubled as he searched her eyes for the truth. "Is that really what happened?" he asked quietly, his tone tender.

Maya opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. It hurts to feel so misunderstood, so exposed. She could only nod, the ache in her chest making it impossible to speak.

Nova tightened her hold on Maya’s shoulder, her voice soothing now, almost motherly. "We’re here for you, Maya," she said, her tone so convincing.

As she looked at her sister, Maya’s heart ached. Nova’s words, the accusations, the anger—they felt like cuts that would leave scars long after this moment had passed. How could Nova hate her so much? She felt like a trespasser in her own family, her sister’s calculated cruelty pushing her farther from the place she’d once called home.

Mr. Edward pulled Maya close, his embrace warm and steady as he patted her back. “Please, don’t cry. I understand how you feel.” He rested his cheek against her shoulder, his gentle presence comforting her in the silence.

A voice broke through unexpectedly, sharp with surprise. “What’s going on here?” Mrs. Edward had entered the room, and everyone froze. Nova’s heart pounded as she quickly thought. “If she says what I said to her, I’ll deny everything,” Nova thought, her eyes darting to Maya as she paced anxiously.

Trying to distract from the tension, Nova spoke in a low, remorseful voice. “I blame myself,” she said. Her mother’s gaze fell on her, curious. “If I’d known… I wouldn’t have asked about her marriage,” she murmured, guilt crawled into her tone.

Mrs. Edward shook her head. “Don’t say that, dear. You did what a loving sister should do.” She moved closer to Maya, rubbing her back tenderly. “Maya, you’re home now. Don’t let the past break you again. You’ve left that heartless man behind. He doesn’t deserve your tears.”

“Mom, Dad,” Nova interrupted, her voice firm. “Can you both leave? She’ll be fine. I will take care of her.” All eyes turned to her, and the room grew quiet. She reached for Maya’s hand, but Maya pulled away, her face turned away in hurt.

“Honey, let’s go,” Mrs. Edward said to her husband, touching his arm gently. “Nova can handle this. They’re grown now.” She smiled at Maya and started to lead her husband out, but Mr. Edward lingered, still worried. He held Maya’s hand for a moment longer until, to everyone’s surprise, Maya spoke in a clear, steady voice.

“Dad, Mom… you can leave,” she said. Her tone was strong, her tears wiped away as if they had never fallen. The change in her shocked even Nova.

Her father sighed, brushing away her lingering tears with his thumb. “We’re here for you as a family, remember that.” He reluctantly left, and Maya and Nova were finally alone.

Nova closed the door and, with a smug smirk, clapped her hands slowly. “You’ve changed, Maya. I thought you would run to Dad like before. That marriage really did something to you, didn’t it?”

Maya took a step forward, her gaze sharp. “I’m not here to fight you, Nova. But I want you to know—I have no plans to work at Dad’s company again.”

Nova laughed, a mocking sound. “Dad and Mom already told me everything. If you’re so determined, why not say it to dad's face? Why come back here at all? You could’ve gone anywhere if you really wanted to ‘move on.’ But no, you’re still pretending, just like you always do.”

“When?” Maya’s voice rose in frustration, her anger bubbling up.

Nova sneered. “Face it. You’re a loser. Poor, helpless Maya. Why don’t you leave Dad’s company to me? You’re nothing more than a washed-up ex-wife, and that’s all you’ll ever be.”

“Since you told me years back that I will be greater than you, so it will be!”

“How? How? Are you going to looking for any rich guy,” she mocked her with her tone. Maya quickly turned and walked towards the door of the room. “How could my sister be so heartless?” She said to herself.

On her way to her room, she was stopped by her father. “How did it go?” he asked, looking at her face. Maya took a deep breath and forced a small smile.

“It was fine, Dad. I just need to relax in my room.”

Mr. Edward pulled her into a gentle hug. “Your sister has really changed. She now care more about you,” he whispered. “But remember, after a few days of rest, you can start fresh by joining her in my company.”

“Hmm…” she shook her head, “I don’t think so, Dad. I have new plans for my life.”

He looked at her and was stunned.

“What about all that we had said? Are you still feeling sorry for yourself?”

“No dad. I….I…”

Just as Maya was about to explain, a sharp knock hit the main entrance.

“Nova was in her room. Your mom is in her room. Who could be knocking at this hour, so close to nightfall? I hope it is not Mr Wale, your ex husband?”

Maya's heart froze at once.