"I'm not mad." Yara met Mateo's gaze, her expression serious. She hesitated, like she wasn't sure he'd buy it, then added, "I just caught a cold. Didn't want to pass it to you, so I stayed away."

"You're sick? Did you catch a chill? Are you okay?"

Before she could answer, he was already typing on his phone. "The weather's getting colder. Do you need more clothes? I'll send some over."

Fast. Too fast. She barely had time to react. But honestly? Whatever. Let him send them. It wasn't like she planned on using them. Worst case, she'd leave them behind when she left—maybe his precious Helen would appreciate them.

So she didn't argue. "I'm fine. Just take care of yourself. You're still recovering—you should be in the hospital."

The words sounded right, but there was nothing behind them. No warmth, no concern. Just a polite dismissal.

Mateo hesitated. Something felt off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe he was imagining things.

He stood, ready to go—then paused. She was still lying there, making no move to follow. His jaw tightened. "If you're not coming with me, then I'm not going."

They locked eyes. A beat of silence. Then Yara sighed, resigned.

Fine.

She got up, changed, and went with him.

***

At the hospital, Mateo suddenly remembered Yara mentioning her cold. Immediately, he called a doctor over. Once they confirmed it was nothing serious—just rest needed—he finally relaxed.

Since he was still recovering, he stayed a few more days. And during that time? He stuck to Yara like glue. Wherever she went, he followed. Even when she went to the restroom, he'd wait right outside.

The nurses caught on quick. Anytime they saw one of them, they'd glance around—yep, the other was always nearby.

Everywhere they went, Yara kept hearing the same comments.

"Mr. Lopez and Ms. Medici are so in love! If only I could find a boyfriend like that."

"Right? Ugh, must be nice. But let's be real, we should just go to bed—at least we can dream about it."

Yara heard it all. Didn't react.

Love? Affection?

Please.

This wasn't devotion—it was surveillance.

Mateo wasn't clinging to her because he loved her. He was watching her.

She'd been different lately, and with the wedding coming up, he probably thought she was about to cause a scene. Because in his mind, if she didn't go through with it, she'd just run back to Steven.

And if that happened... how would his precious Helen ever get her happy ending?

***

A few days later, Mateo was finally discharged.

The second they got in the car, his phone rang. A friend.

"Mateo! There's gonna be a meteor shower tonight. You should bring your fiancée and come hang out!"

Meteor showers weren't common, and since the invite included Yara, Mateo agreed without hesitation.

Yara didn't want to go. But to avoid suspicion, she played along.

When they arrived, she realized fast—it wasn't just Mateo's friends. Helen was there too.

The second Mateo saw her, Yara felt his excitement. Just a flicker, gone in a heartbeat. But she caught it. He masked it quickly, pretending not to care.

Night fell, stars dotting the sky.

Then—whoosh. A streak of light flashed across the horizon.

More followed, one after another, meteors raining down in a breathtaking cascade. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Couples squeezed their hands together, friends nudged each other excitedly, and almost on cue, people shut their eyes to make wishes.

A street vendor wove through the crowd, calling out, "Wanna check out these wishing bottles? Write your wish on a slip of paper, and I'll hang it on the tree for you! Wishing under a meteor shower makes it extra lucky!"

Yara knew it was all nonsense, but when she caught Helen eyeing the wishing bottles like they were priceless treasures, she wasn't shocked when the group started buying them one by one.

Then came Mateo.

He didn't just buy one—he bought all of them.

His friends immediately jumped in.

"Mateo, you really think you can fill out that many wishes? Mind sharing a few?"

"Seriously, man, you already have everything. What more do you need to wish for? Greedy much?"

Mateo just smirked, then turned to Yara, eyes soft. "I don't need anything. I just want Yara to have everything."

That one line sent the whole group into chaos.

"Mateo! No wonder you're the biggest simp in our crew!"

If it were anyone else, they might've turned red. Maybe laughed it off.

Yara? She just stared at the cart full of bottles, silent.

She focused on writing her own wish, tuning out the noise around her.

Mateo, nosy as ever, leaned in to peek.

She caught him and yanked the paper away. "It won't come true if you see it."

He chuckled, backing off. Then, like it was the most natural thing in the world, he reached out and ruffled her hair.

"Whatever you wished for, it's gonna come true."

Yara gave him a faint smile, saying nothing.

Inside, though?

She agreed completely.

Before sealing the bottle, she glanced at her wish one last time.

[May Yara and Mateo never cross paths again in this lifetime.]

***

By the time Mateo finished filling out all his wishing bottles, the meteor shower was nearly over.

They were just about to leave when a sharp cry cut through the air.

Everyone turned just in time to see Helen on the ground, eyes red, looking heartbreakingly fragile.

"I think I twisted my ankle... It hurts so much..."

Instantly, the group swarmed around her.

Mateo barely hesitated. He shoved past everyone and scooped her up without a second thought.

Didn't even blink. Just carried her down the mountain.

Yara didn't say a word.

While the others hovered around Helen, fussing over her like she was made of glass, Yara quietly turned back.

Found the vendor.

Slipped him more money.

"Take down all the wishing bottles we just hung up."

A few minutes later, she was back at the mountaintop. Alone.

She sat down, fingers steady as she began opening the bottles.

One by one.

[May Helen always be happy and carefree, year after year.]

[May Helen's life be full of joy and free from sorrow.]

[May Helen always be healthy, with only good people in her life.]

[To my beloved Helen, may you always have peace and happiness.]

...

All of them.

Ninety-nine wishing bottles. Ninety-nine slips of paper.

And every single one carried her name.

Not even one was about Yara.

Her eyes burned.

In the end, she left the bottles scattered on the ground and walked down the mountain.

***

The moment Yara reached the bottom, she spotted Mateo pacing.

As soon as he saw her, he rushed over, pulling her into a tight embrace. His voice shook with relief.

"Where did you go? I didn't see you when I got down, and I—oh, Yara, don't ever leave my sight again!"

His friends crowded around, laughing, trying to lighten the mood.

"Dude, we told you—there's only one way down. She obviously wasn't lost. You were just panicking for nothing."

"Yara, you have no idea. Mateo almost cried when he couldn't find you!"

They thought they were proving something. Showing her how much Mateo cared.

But Yara barely heard them.

Because past the crowd, she locked eyes with Helen.

Her ankle was already wrapped up, her expression calm. Collected. But when Mateo's friends spoke, a smug glint flickered in her eyes.

That tiny, knowing smile—it was a taunt.

Like she was saying, 'See? They all think he loves you. But you and I both know the truth.

'The person he really cares about... is me.'

A wave of humiliation hit Yara, sharp and suffocating.

She clenched her fists but forced herself to stay composed.

'It's fine.

'It's all ending soon anyway.'

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.