Later that day, Humaira walked into the parlour and found Safeera already seated on the sofa.
"Aunty," Humaira said casually, "I thought you had work today?"
"I did," Safeera replied. "I came back after the meeting. Alex is still out—handling some other matters."
Humaira's lips curved into a faint smile. "Since you're close to the remote, why don't you turn on the TV and put on the news channel?" She sat down calmly.
Safeera raised an eyebrow. "And since when do you watch television? The news tends to be—"
"Oh, aunty, you talk too much," Humaira interrupted lightly. "Just turn it on. I have a good feeling something exhilarating is going to happen today."
Safeera hesitated for a moment, then reached for the remote and turned on the television.
Minutes later, chaos erupted elsewhere in the house.
Patty burst into the room where Charles and the other maids were cleaning, her face pale.
"You won't believe what just happened," she cried. "The young master was involved in a ghastly motor accident today!"
Everyone gasped.
"Madam and Humaira just rushed to the hospital," Patty continued breathlessly. "And according to the news, five people involved in the accident have already passed away. Maybe the young master—"
"Keep quiet, Patty," Charles snapped sharply. "You always speak without thinking. I have a feeling the young master is safe."
"Let's hope so," Martha said softly. "For now, we should continue cleaning and pray that everything will be alright."
They exited the room together, leaving Maria standing alone.
Maria's hands trembled as her thoughts spiraled.
This must be Humaira's doing.
Her jaw tightened, anger boiling beneath the surface.
Do you have no humanity at all? she thought bitterly. What did the young master ever do to deserve this?
Five lives had already been lost.
As if that wasn't enough…
Her fists clenched.
She kills without pity—just like years ago.
Memories came rushing back, cruel and unforgiving.
Humaira, arriving with thugs under the excuse of a so-called mission. Chaos. Screams. Fire.
Her mother crushed beneath a collapsing house.
Her father stabbed the moment he opened the door.
Her siblings—along with other villagers—wiped out in a bomb explosion.
Maria's knees weakened as tears streamed down her face.
What kind of mission was that? she wondered through her sobs. And now… now you attack the young master too?
She shook her head violently.
"No," she whispered. "This is unacceptable."
Her eyes hardened with resolve.
"I'll kill you, Humaira," Maria swore under her breath. "Mark my words. I'll make you pay for every sin you've committed. You've done more harm than good, and the world doesn't need monsters like you."
She squeezed her eyes shut, reliving the pain of that night, before wiping her tears away quickly.
Just then, Martha walked back into the room.
"Maria?" she asked gently. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Maria replied quickly. "Just a little dust in my eyes."
"Alright then," Martha said. "Charles is looking for you. Shall we?"
Maria nodded and followed her out, her face calm—but her heart burning with vengeance.