Chapter 3
All eyes turned to Samira the moment Luna called out. She stood there awkwardly at the doorway, half her face hidden under her hood like someone who didn’t belong.
And maybe she didn’t
Looking back on her twenty–two years, Samira realized most of the things that were supposed to be hers had somehow ended up in Luna’s hands.
Luna came over quickly and looped her arm through Samira’s like they were long–lost best friends, “What a surprise! Are you here to shop too?” she asked cheerfully, as if this was just a casual run–in.
Samira didn’t answer. Her eyes shifted to Jean, who was standing off to the side. Their gazes met briefly before he quickly looked away, his expression uneasy.
Samira gave a small, tight smile and looked down. Luna caught that little moment and, never one to miss her cue, put on her soft. trembling voice. “Samira… I’m the one who asked Jean to come with me. Don’t blame him, okay? If you’re mad, be mad at me.”
She even threw in a teary sniff or two, looking every bit the poor, misunderstood girl.
Before Samira could say anything, Jean stepped in, like always. He pulled Luna behind him protectively, as if Samira might attack her or something. His tone was cold, guarded. “I brought Luna here. It’s not her fault.”
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Samira stared at him for a second. Then, very quietly, she said, “Did I say I blamed her?”
Jean faltered, caught off guard. Samira let out a soft laugh and shook her head. She had died too quickly in her past life to ever make sense of things. But now, she saw it all clearly.
Ever since the kidnapping. Jean had treated her like a threat. Every time she and Luna were in the same room, his guard went up. He was constantly on edge around her, ready to defend Luna, no matter what?
So all this time, she had thought he loved her, he cared. She had just never put herself in direct comparison to Luna before. If she had, maybe she wouldn’t have wasted so much time convincing herself she mattered.
Samira didn’t want to be part of this triangle anymore. She turned and walked out without another word, leaving whatever “love” they had behind her 8
Jean watched her go, his chest tightening at the sight of her walking away; quiet, small,
all, alone. He took a few steps toward her before
Luna reached out and held him back.
Outside, the air felt heavier than usual. As Samira stepped off the curb, her eyes landed on a tiny kitten hiding in the grass by the steps. It was filthy, limping and clearly injured
Alone like that, it probably wouldn’t last long.
She sighed and crouched down beside it, gently reaching out her hand. She couldn’t save everything, but this little life, she could try. Samira walked over quietly, crouched beside the patch of grass and stretched out a hand, leaving some distance so she wouldn’t scare the kitten off. She waited patiently, saying nothing, just letting it decide if she could be trusted,
That was what Jean saw when he stepped outside
The sunlight caught Samira just right, softening her edges, like the world itself had slowed down for a second. In front of her was the tiny kitten, hesitant but curious, inching closer.
Jean stood frozen, watching her, something twisting in his chest. She looked so much like the girl from all those years ago, the one who used to follow him around, laughing, fearless.
Next to him, Luna glanced over and noticed the look on his face. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
Right then, the kitten finally came close enough. Samira reached out gently, scooped it up and held it to her chest. She gave it a small- smile, the kind you only give something helpless. She turned, ready to leave.
But just as she took a step, someone yanked the kitten from her arms. Startled, she looked up and there was Luna, clutching the kitten. like it was hers, eyes wide with fear
“Don’t hurt it!” Luna shouted, stumbling back a few steps like Samira had tried to attack her.
Jean rushed over, totally confused. Luna was already tearing up, voice trembling.
“It looks like the kitten I used to have when I was little,” she said, holding it close. “I didn’t save it back then… but I want to now” Jean’s face shifted like something had clicked in his memory. Samira’s whole body went cold. She remembered that kitten too. Luna had drowned it in the pond. Samira had seen the whole thing, her twisted smile, the way she didn’t even flinch
Samira had jumped in after it, desperate to save it, only for Luna to run off and spin the story her way. She told the adults Samira did IL No one asked questions. No one ever did
Now, looking at Luna with that same fake–innocent look on her face, Samira felt her stomach turn. The kitten meowed again, squirming in Luna’s grip. Samira took a step forward and reached for it.
“Give it back,” she said quietly.
Before she could get close, Jean stepped in and shoved her hard. She hit the ground, hands scraping against the concrete
“Samira, what’s wrong with you?!” he snapped, his voice sharp, full of anger. She didn’t even look at him. Her eyes were locked on the
kitten
“Give it back,” she said again, louder this time!
Luna shrank away, holding the kitten tighter, like she was scared. Jean immediately pulled her into his arms like he was protecting her
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“Give it back,” she said again, louder this time 21
Luna shrank away, holding the kitten lighter, like she was scared. Jean immediately pulled her into his arms like he was protecting her
from something dangerous &
“I’m calling security,” he muttered, already shouting for help. Samira’s cheek was pressed against the cold floor, the weight of the security quard holding her down.
She didn’t fight it, she just laid there, breathing quietly, the sting in her side nothing compared to the one in her chest
Jean stood a few feet away, his voice sharp and cold. “Why are you always like this? Wasn’t one cat enough when you were a kid? Now you’re trying to hurt another?”
His eyes were full of disgust. Not confusion, not disappointment, just pure judgment. Then he turned away without waiting for her to speak, slipping his arm around Luna like he was some hero protecting her from a villain X
Samira didn’t look up. She stayed still, listening to their footsteps fade away. The pressure on her arm finally lifted when they were gone. But the weight in her chest stayed
