Sara couldn't sleep. Not even try.
Persi lay weakly on her bed, wrapped in warm blankets, one paw bandaged, her body still trembling.
Each breath was a reminder of how close she had come to losing her.
Melinda entered the room early, carrying a tray with a cup of hot tea.
"Please, don't go," she begged. "You can't leave all this behind just for her."
"It's not just for her," Sara replied, never taking her eyes off Persi. "It's for everything. For my parents. For me. For what's wrong here."
Melinda sighed, tightening her grip on her hands.
"But if you leave… Agatha wins. She'll declare you disobedient, problematic… and take even the little you have left."
Sara closed her eyes.
"She already took too much."
A long silence followed.
Finally, Sara made a decision.
"I'll stay… for now. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up."
Melinda nodded, relieved.
"That's enough… for now."
The days that followed were like walking on glass.
Sara tried to keep quiet, but every look from Agatha was a provocation.
Every word, a dagger.
And though she managed to hold back, she knew she couldn't do it forever.
Then came the day of the explosion.
They were all in the dining room, having breakfast.
Evelyn looked nervous.
Clara didn't even lift her gaze from her plate.
Yuri stood by the window as always, silently watching.
Agatha, as usual, broke the ice.
"What are you staring at, girl?" she asked, locking her cold eyes on Sara. "Did you see something interesting?"
Sara didn't answer. She only stared back.
"I'm talking to you," Agatha insisted. "Or do you think you're too good to be spoken to by your aunt any more?"
"You're not my aunt," Sara said, her voice low but firm. "I found out. You're not family. You never were."
A deadly silence filled the room.
For a split second, Agatha paled… before regaining her cruel smile.
"And what do you plan to do with that?" she asked, slowly rising to her feet. "Tell someone? Who? Melinda? That mute butler?"
"I don't need to tell anyone anything," Sara replied, standing as well. "I already know who you are. A thief. A liar. And maybe… a murderer."
That was enough.
Agatha strode forward and, before Sara could react, slapped her hard across the face.
The blow was so strong, Sara tasted blood in her mouth.
But this time…
She didn't step back.
Didn't cry.
Didn't look away.
With a surge of strength she didn't understand herself, she raised her hand and hit her back.
A loud CRACK echoed through the dining room.
Agatha froze.
Then, slowly, turned her head toward her.
"Did you just slap me?" she whispered, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
"Yes," Sara said firmly. "And I'll do it again if you ever touch me."
Agatha's face changed.
From shock, to pure fury.
"You have no idea who you're messing with!"
Without warning, she grabbed Sara by the arm and threw her against a nearby table.
The sound of breaking wood filled the air.
Sara crashed to the floor with a stifled cry.
She felt pain in her back, her side, her wounded pride…
But she wouldn't cry.
Not even this time.
Agatha stepped closer, eyes blazing with rage.
"I'll show you what happens when you stand up to me."
But before she could do more, Yuri appeared in the doorway.
"Enough," he said, his voice deep and firm. "You've done enough for today."
Agatha shot him a murderous glare.
"Since when do you interfere in my business?"
"Since you started crossing lines," he replied, unmoving. "She's just a child."
Agatha scoffed furiously but said nothing else.
She turned sharply and stormed out of the dining room, leaving behind a trail of threat.
Melinda rushed to help Sara, checking if she was hurt.
"Are you okay?"
Sara nodded, though the pain was sharp.
"I'm fine," she whispered. "But this isn't over."
Persi meowed softly from the doorway, watching her with concern.
Sara gave her a small smile.
"I know. I'm not giving up, either."