Fractured Ties

Maya barely registered the weight of her backpack as she climbed the porch steps, exhaustion dragging her limbs. She wanted nothing more than to drop onto her bed and pretend the day never happened. But the moment she reached for the doorknob, she heard it.

Laughter. A woman's laughter.

Her hand froze mid-air.

She pushed the door open, and the scent of heavy floral perfume hit her like a slap. The living room lights were dim, casting a golden glow over the scene that made her stomach churn. A woman sat curled up on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, swirling a glass of red wine.

Wearing her mother's robe.

And beside her, sprawled out with a drink of his own, was him. Her father.

The world tilted beneath her feet.

The woman barely acknowledged her, offering only a lazy smirk. "Oh. Didn't know you were home, sweetheart."

Maya's chest tightened. The air in the room felt thick, suffocating. "You've got to be kidding me."

Her father sighed, rubbing his temple like this was just another inconvenience. "Not tonight, Maya. Go to your room."

That was it? That was all he had to say?

A hollow laugh escaped her lips. She stepped forward, fists clenching at her sides. "Mom left you days ago, and this is what you do?"

"Maya." His voice was laced with warning.

She ignored it. "You bring some—some random woman into our house? Let her wear Mom's things?" She turned to the woman, disgust curling in her gut. "Did he tell you he still had a wife last week?"

The woman just smirked, taking a sip of her wine. "Oh, honey. Your mom was gone the moment she stepped out that door."

Maya snapped.

"You—" She turned on her father, voice shaking with rage. "You are disgusting. You never deserved her. She loved you, she gave you everything, and you—" Her breath hitched. "You replaced her like she was nothing?"

His jaw tightened, and before she could blink, he lunged.

His hand wrapped around her throat, slamming her back against the wall.

Air.

Maya gasped, hands flying to his wrist, nails digging into his skin, but his grip only tightened.

"You will not talk to me like that."

Her vision blurred. She kicked, clawed, her chest burning for oxygen.

Then, suddenly, he let go.

She crumpled to the floor, choking, lungs screaming for air. The room spun, everything hazy except for the dull ringing in her ears.

Her father took a step back, staring at his hands like he didn't recognize them. His face paled. "Maya." His voice was hoarse, panicked. He reached for her.

She flinched.

Something flickered in his eyes—regret, horror—but she didn't wait to see more.

Scrambling to her feet, she grabbed her bag and bolted out the door.

She ran until her legs ached, until the cold air burned her lungs. Until she could pretend this wasn't real.

But the bruises forming on her throat said otherwise.

The next day, Maya forced a laugh, tossing her hair over her shoulder as Luna cracked another joke. The sunlight was too bright, the school courtyard too loud, her friends too carefree. It was suffocating.

Fake it. Smile. Pretend.

She barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she felt his hands.

She swallowed, wincing at the dull ache in her throat. Then she saw him.

Vic.

He walked toward her with that same infuriating smirk, hands stuffed in his pockets like he owned the world.

"Maya."

She barely looked at him. "Back off, Vic."

He chuckled, tilting his head. "Relax. I'm not here to beg for a second chance."

"Good. Because you wouldn't get one."

Vic's smirk didn't waver. "Who said I wanted one?"

She rolled her eyes, ready to walk past him—

Then she saw them.

Jackie. And Eddie.

Jackie had Eddie by the sleeve, tugging him along, laughing, teasing him in that way she always did.

And Eddie?

He wasn't pulling away.

Maya's stomach twisted violently.

She turned sharply to Vic, her voice like poison. "You seriously using Jackie to mess with me?"

Vic shrugged. "Not everything is about you, sweetheart."

But she wasn't listening anymore.

She was already moving toward Eddie.

"Jackie," she said sweetly, fake smile in place, "you can stop now. We all know Vic put you up to this."

Jackie just smiled and stepped back. "I was just having fun."

Maya ignored her. She turned to Eddie, voice soft, desperate. "Eddie, it's not what you think—"

His expression was unreadable. Then he spoke.

"I don't have time for love and all that stupid stuff, Maya." His voice was cold. "And I'll never let you win at your own game."

Her breath hitched. "Win?"

His jaw tightened. "Isn't it?"

"No! Eddie, you have to believe me—"

"Save it." His voice cut through her like a blade. "I don't care."

Her heart cracked.

He ran a hand through his hair before exhaling sharply. "After the project presentation," he muttered, "I never want you to approach me again."

The words were a death sentence.

He walked away.

And Maya?

She stood there. Frozen. Shattered.

She had lost him.

Eddie stormed through the hallway, fists clenched.

He should feel relieved.

He had finally told her off. He had made it clear she meant nothing to him.

Then why did it feel like he couldn't breathe?

Why did her tear-filled eyes haunt him?

And her neck.

The bruises. The way she flinched when he got too close.

His stomach twisted.

What the hell had happened to her?

But he forced the thought away.

Not my problem.

"You look like hell, nerd."

Eddie groaned. "Not in the mood, Vic."

Vic smirked, leaning against the wall. "That was quite the scene back there."

Eddie tensed. "You saw?"

"Everyone did." Vic shrugged. "You really broke her heart."

Eddie's stomach twisted. He forced a scoff. "She'll be fine."

Vic chuckled. "Doubt it. But don't worry. She'll come running back to me. She always does."

Eddie clenched his jaw.

Then why does my chest feel so damn hollow?