A Heart No Longer Waiting

Helen's birthday rolled around soon after.

Benjamin and Milada went all out, renting an entire cruise ship for the occasion. They invited Mateo and Yara too—completely forgetting it was Yara's birthday as well.

She was used to it.

When the invitation arrived, Mateo hesitated. "That day is your birthday too. Maybe we shouldn't go."

He wanted to go. She could see it all over his face. This was just for show.

Yara made the choice for him. "It'd be rude not to. Let's go."

Mateo barely hid his excitement, pulling her close like he actually felt bad. "I can't spend your birthday with just the two of us this year... but I'll make it up to you next year."

Yara laughed softly.

Next year?

There wouldn't be a next year.

In a few days, she'd be gone for good.

***

Helen stood at the center of it all, draped in designer couture, soaking up the endless praise. She was the star of the night—undisputed, untouchable.

Even Steven had flown back to Novastra for this, looking every bit the polished gentleman in his sharp suit. Side by side, they could've been straight off a magazine cover.

When it was time for gifts, the guests lined up, anticipation buzzing in the air.

Benjamin, Milada, and Steven's presents were the ones everyone waited for. And they delivered.

Exquisite jewelry. A luxury sports car. The kind of gifts that made people gasp.

Then it was Mateo's turn.

No wrapped box. Just a single certificate.

Whispers rippled through the crowd as he flipped it open. Under the lights, a breathtaking image of a rose-colored nebula gleamed.

"Helen, you already have everything. I wanted to give you something different. From today on, this star cluster is yours to name."

Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by a wave of murmurs.

"You can buy the rights to name a nebula? Mateo must've gone through a lot for this."

"I mean... let's be real. He's obsessed with Yara. Guess that love extends to her little sister too."

Admiration. Envy. It never ended.

But Yara knew the truth.

This wasn't some grand gesture of love by association. Mateo had put so much thought into this gift because Helen was the only one he truly loved.

The room suddenly felt suffocating. She needed air.

Slipping away from the celebration, she stepped onto the deck. The ocean breeze caught her hair, and for the first time in a long while, she could finally breathe.

That's when Helen appeared.

She stood behind Yara, eyes glinting with condescension, her voice oozing smugness.

"Yara, what are you gonna do? Not just Steven—looks like Mateo's in love with me too."

Yara didn't answer.

She didn't get it.

Helen had already taken everything. Their parents' love. Her friends. The man she once adored. Even her fiancé.

So why?

Why couldn't she just leave her alone?

The question slipped out before she could stop it.

Helen didn't even pretend to deny it. She just smirked.

"No reason, really. I just like watching you suffer. And lucky me—I get to see it happen again real soon."

Yara frowned, ready to demand what she meant—

But before she could react, Helen grabbed her wrist and yanked.

A second later, they both plunged into the sea.

The icy water swallowed Yara whole.

Cold.

So cold.

She tried to scream, but saltwater rushed in, searing her lungs like fire. Her limbs flailed, desperate to grab onto anything.

Above the waves, voices shouted. People had finally noticed.

Then—splash.

And another.

And another.

Three people had jumped in.

Benjamin. Steven. Mateo.

But not a single one swam toward her.

Every single one of them—every single one—raced toward Helen.

Even over the crashing waves, she could hear Milada's panicked screams from the yacht.

"Save Helen! You have to save Helen!"

Something inside Yara shattered.

She closed her eyes, letting the weight of the ocean pull her under.

Maybe this was how it was supposed to end.

But just as she was ready to let go, the sound of someone swimming closer cut through the haze.

Closer.

And closer.

Her eyes fluttered open.

She barely made out the face in front of her, but when she did—

She froze.

Steven.