Lucy's Pov: 
 
My jaw dropped in disbelief as Mother walked into our apartment, making my stomach tighten with a mix of shock and betrayal.  
 
Amaya and I felt overwhelmed, our hearts pounding with fear and confusion, as we struggled to process what was happening.  
 
"Mother, is this you?" I managed to ask 
 
"How have you guys been?" Mother asked as we gulped in nervousness.  
 
She walked up to me as goosebumps ran down my spine.  
 
She landed a resounding slap on my cheeks....  
 
I couldn't say a word!  
 
It has been 3 good years since we left the island.  
 
Mother also walked closer to Amaya and slapped her twice.  
 
But why twice?  
 
Tears welled down her cheeks.  
 
We were both too shocked to talk.  
 
"Ungrateful brat!" Mother shouted at Amaya directly. 
 
"We are sorry, Mother," We said in unison.  
 
"I knew it! I knew this was going to happen... After all I did for you, Amaya, after how I nurtured and cared for you like my own child," Mother cried, pointing at Amaya.  
 
Amaya and I stared at each other in confusion.  
 
"What the hell are you saying, mother?" I asked anxiously.  
 
"I don't understand a thing, mother", Amaya said as we exchanged glances.  
 
"You ingrate.... You don't have to understand cos you never will," Mother said as we stared around, confused.  
 
** 
 
Tears rushed down our cheeks....  
 
"Mother, what are you saying? I don't believe you!" I cried bitterly.  
 
Amaya tried to open her mouth but she couldn't.  
 
"I nursed you, Amaya, but you repay me with so much ungratefulness", Mother said.  
 
We were now all seated.  
 
I couldn't believe my ears.  
 
"Mother, are you trying to say that Amaya here is not my biological sister?" I asked, tears welling up, feeling a mix of shock and heartbreak.  
 
"No! No!! You are my real mom, and Lucy is my sister," Amaya wailed bitterly.  
 
"Shut the hell up! You advised my daughter to disobey me and leave the house for three good years, all because of your selfish desires," Mother said. 
 
"I can't be adopted! I can't be," Amaya cried.  
 
"You are not even adopted, Amaya cos if you were, it would have been better for you", Mother said with so much hatred.  
 
"Is that why you have always hated me, Mother?" Amaya cried.  
 
"You are nothing but a bastard.... Twenty-six years ago.... I met this heartbroken lady; she was pregnant. She stood beside a bridge; she was set to dive into the sea with her child. I rushed to her and tried stopping her, but I couldn't cos she had already made up her mind. I pleaded with her; she only gave me her baby together with a hand bead. She told me to give it to the child when she comes of age.... She jumped off the bridge; that was how I got you," Mother said.  
 
Tears didn't stop rushing down Amaya's cheek...  
 
I felt very sorry for her.  
 
So this is the reason why mother doesn't seem to love and care for Amaya like she does for me, which made my heart ache with confusion and sadness.  
 
Mother quickly threw the hand bead on Amaya. 
 
Amaya picked it up, still heartbroken.  
 
She rushed out of the house with so much bitterness, her shoulders trembling and tears blurring her vision, leaving a heavy silence behind.  
 
I tried to run after her, but mother stopped me.  
 
"Get your filthy a*s here", she yelled at me.  
 
Stephanie's Pov: 
 
I watched Nicole jump in excitement as Alexander agreed to come with us. 
 
A few minutes later 🕒  
 
Alexander was ready to leave with us...  
 
"My goodness! Mom, I forgot my camera 📷," Nicole screamed as he rushed back upstairs. 
 
"Be quick", I said as he agreed.  
 
He picked up the camera and headed downstairs.  
 
But suddenly, on the stairs, he slipped and rolled down the stairs.  
 
With blood oozing out of his nose, mouth and broken head.  
 
"Nicole....." I cried in tears.  
 
Amaya's Pov: 
 
Mother's words kept resounding in my ears. 
 
I flagged down a cab and hopped in.  
 
I was feeling terribly bad.  
 
Tears kept running down my cheeks.  
 
So all along I had no real family of my own, and mother was only doing my real mom a favour.  
 
Suddenly, the cab stopped.  
 
"What happened, sir?" I asked  
 
"I think it broke down, madam", the cab driver said as I quickly got down from the taxi.  
 
I kept walking up and down restlessly, waiting as the cab driver fixed the car.  
 
Just then, the hand bead fell from my hand, and I bent over to pick it up.  
 
But someone already picked it up....