Chapter 36: Collision

The door remained open, an invisible barrier between two worlds. Maddy stood poised just inside the threshold, her posture impeccable; every movement deliberate, every inch the picture of cultivated elegance. Her eyes, sharp and unwavering, held an unsettling glint that hinted at a calculating mind beneath the polished surface.

Anya's gaze lifted steadily to meet hers, cautious but unflinching, taking in the newcomer's presence with a quick, measured appraisal.

Maddy's chestnut hair was meticulously styled, glossy and perfectly arranged as if shaped by an artist's hand. Her blouse was pristine white, the delicate pearl buttons gleaming under the soft apartment light, lending her an air of untouchable refinement. Her makeup was subtle yet precise, enough to smooth her features into an almost innocent mask; but the practiced smile she wore barely concealed the cool arrogance simmering underneath. She moved with the confidence of someone accustomed to owning any room she entered, radiating an effortless superiority.

In stark contrast, Anya stood barefoot on the cool wood floor, the casualness of her loose, oversized T-shirt one of Elias's, soft and worn, hanging low over her frame and simple shorts starkly at odds with Maddy's polished appearance. Her hair was loosely tied back, a few stray strands rebelliously framing her face, unstyled but authentic. The sunlight pouring through the expansive windows caught in her dark eyes, revealing a natural glow and raw strength beneath the relaxed exterior. Anya's bare feet and minimal clothes spoke of comfort and honesty, grounded in reality rather than image or pretense.

There was no artifice in Anya's presence; only the quiet confidence of someone who refused to be overshadowed by the kind of arrogance Maddy wielded like armor.

For a long moment, neither spoke. The silence stretched between them, charged and heavy, like the space between two opposing forces on the verge of collision.

Anya cleared her throat, voice even but gentle. "Can I help you with something?"

Maddy tilted her head slightly, that same smile tightening on her lips. "I'm here to see Elias."

Anya's eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "He's not here right now; he stepped out a bit, but he'll be back soon. Please, come in."

Maddy stepped fully inside, the faint scent of her perfume; a subtle mix of jasmine and something darker, almost smoky; lingering in the air. She followed Anya into the living room with the grace of someone who owned every space she entered, but her eyes darted around, assessing, always calculating.

Anya offered a small smile, trying to keep things polite, though unease prickled beneath her skin. "Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?"

Maddy shook her head quickly, voice soft but clipped. "No, thank you." Her hands clenched briefly at her sides before she forced them to relax. Inside, a storm brewed anger, jealousy, and a deep-rooted fear that trembled just beneath her calm exterior. Every breath she took was a fight to maintain her carefully constructed façade of kindness.

Anya noticed it all, the tension in her shoulders, the slight quiver in her voice, the way her eyes flicked toward the doorway as if expecting someone else. Confusion mixed with caution filled Anya's mind. What game is she playing? she wondered silently, eyes narrowing.

Maddy's gaze fixed on Anya, sharp and probing. "What's your relationship with Elias?" she asked, voice casual but laced with something cold.

Anya blinked, surprised by the question, then smiled softly, holding her ground. "We've seen each other... off and on," she said, choosing her words carefully. "Friends, mostly."

Maddy's smile twisted, stretching wider than was comfortable, too perfect, too practiced. It was the kind of smile meant to disarm, to seem sweet and welcoming, but Anya could see the sharp edges lurking just beneath. Her voice dipped into a syrupy tone, soft and almost honeyed as she stepped closer, the faintest hint of a mocking glint in her eyes.

"I think I forgot to properly introduce myself," she cooed, tilting her head with exaggerated politeness. "I'm Elias's fiancée."

Her words floated in the air like a sudden drop of ice, coated in a saccharine veneer that only made their chill deeper. Maddy's smile didn't waver, but it no longer felt like kindness, it was a weapon, carefully disguised as charm. The way she lingered just a little too long, the tilt of her head, the slow deliberate movement, all screamed, I'm in control here.

Anya's eyes flickered involuntarily; a barely perceptible flinch, a crack in her composed facade. But Maddy caught it instantly, her smile deepening, a cruel satisfaction curling the edges of her lips. It was the smile of someone savoring a small, private victory, like a predator circling its prey.

"Not officially announced yet," Maddy added smoothly, her voice dropping to a velvety whisper, softening just enough to sound almost conspiratorial. "Because I'm not sure how Elias would react if he knew I was telling people."

The words hung heavily between them, thickening the silence until it felt almost suffocating, like the air itself was pressing in, squeezing out any breath of ease.

Anya's pulse hammered in her ears, loud and relentless. Stay calm. Don't give her the satisfaction. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms as she forced a slow, steady breath. I know him. More than she does. I'm not scared of her games.

But beneath the surface, a tight knot of fear and anger twisted inside her—raw, unspoken, trembling with the uncertainty of what was really at stake. Every second stretched longer, as if time itself was holding its breath, waiting for what would come next.

Maddy's eyes glinted with a quiet cruelty. He's mine. One day, he'll see that. I just need to keep pushing—show him what he's missing. Her fingers twitched slightly, curling as if ready to strike. That woman's nothing but a placeholder. I'll be the one standing beside him when it counts.

From the hallway came the unmistakable sound of a door opening—the faint jingle of keys and the soft click of footsteps.

Anya straightened, her eyes sharpening with alertness, while Maddy's smile didn't waver, her posture still perfect but now tinged with predatory confidence.

The door to the living area swung open.

Elias appeared at the door, casual in a fitted navy shirt with sleeves rolled up, hair slightly tousled from the wind. He jingled his keys, pushing the door open with a grin.

Anya….don't make me beg. I'm bringing you coffee, but you better charge me for it. don't think I'm handing it over without getting a quickie first; come on…, I need a quick warm-up before I survive this drive, or I'll end up kissing a lamppost.

He stepped inside, boots thudding softly on the wooden floor, still scanning the empty hallway... then his gaze snapped sharply to the living room.

There they were.

Two women. Sitting face-to-face.

Anya, looking surprised but composed in her oversized T-shirt and shorts, and Maddy, flawless and poised, her smile cool but sharp as a razor.

The room seemed to freeze in an instant.

Elias's smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of confusion and something darker—uncertainty.

For a heartbeat, no one spoke.

Two women.

One man.

And a storm gathering in the silence.