The atmosphere in the family room was heavy with silence. Diana sat slumped on the couch, saying nothing. Her mother, seated beside her, gently tried to coax her into talking, urging her to be more careful with her actions. Her father let out a deep sigh.
"I got a report from Uncle Smith," he began, voice stern. "About you telling Tasya to plant that threatening note. What were you thinking, Diana?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
"Do you remember Claire's fall on the stairs? That was your doing too. It's only thanks to Uncle Smith convincing Claire's family to settle things quietly that the situation didn't escalate."
Diana remained silent, eyes cast down.
Her mother reached for her hand. "Sweetheart, you're our only daughter. If something's wrong, you can talk to us. But problems like this shouldn't be solved with threats."
Still, Diana didn't speak.
"You really don't have anything to say to us?" her father asked, his tone sharper now. "Do you want me to send you to school in America, so you can stop obsessing over Miko?"
"I don't want to go!" Diana finally spoke, her voice rising in protest. It was the first time she reacted—and her father immediately caught the connection. This was all about Miko.
"Then start listening to us," he said firmly. "We love you, Diana. But this has to stop. No more stunts like this."
Diana just stared ahead blankly.
Her father turned to her mother. "Take her credit card. One month. No shopping until she admits what she did."
"Dad, that's not fair!" Diana protested.
"It's called discipline," he said coldly, and without another word, he walked out, leaving Diana stunned and seething over the punishment.
Her mother gently patted her shoulder. "Just do what your father says, sweetheart. It's for your own good."
As the door clicked shut behind her father, Diana sat frozen, her jaw clenched. The silence in the room pressed against her like a weight. Her mother's hand was still gently resting on her shoulder, but Diana didn't react to it.
"I didn't mean for things to go that far," she muttered finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her mother looked at her, eyes softening. "Then why, dear? Why get involved like this? Tasya? Threats? That's not the girl we raised."
Diana shook her head slowly. "I just… I felt like everything was slipping away. I used to be closed to Miko, but since Claire is here, it's like I don't even exist anymore."
Her mother said nothing, letting her speak.
There was a pause, filled only by the faint hum of the air conditioner and the chirping of birds outside.
"I don't want to go to America, Mom," Diana whispered. "I don't want to leave everything behind."
"Then prove you deserve to stay," her mother replied softly. "Fix what you broke. Start with an apology."
Diana's eyes filled with tears, but she quickly wiped them away, refusing to let them fall. "Claire will never forgive me."
"You won't know until you try. And Miko?" Her mother gave her a meaningful look. "He's not yours to hold onto, Diana. If he cares about Claire, you need to accept that."
Diana's lips trembled, but she said nothing.
"Come on, let's go upstairs," her mother said, standing up and reaching for her hand.
Diana rose slowly, nodding. "Okay."
But deep inside, her heart still twisted with something more than guilt. Something darker. Something that still didn't want to let go.
The next day at school, Miko and Claire found themselves in the library during lunch, the usual hum of chatter muted by the thick walls. Claire was flipping through a book absently, but Miko could tell her mind was elsewhere. He could feel the tension in the air, just like he had since the note had first appeared.
"So, any updates?" Miko asked, leaning across the table slightly.
Claire sighed, closing the book in front of her and looking up at him. "I talked to Sam again. He's still denying everything, and honestly, he seemed just as confused as I was."
Miko frowned. "Do you believe him?"
Claire hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I don't know. I want to believe him. He's helped me before. But—there's something about all of this that doesn't sit right. We still don't know who's behind it, and I have a feeling this is just the beginning."
Miko leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "I'm starting to think it's not just a random prank. Whoever's doing this is trying to send a message."
Claire nodded. "I agree. That note… It wasn't just a warning. It felt like a threat."
Just then, the library doors opened, and Diana walked in. Her usual confident stride was replaced by an almost hesitant walk, and her gaze was focused on the floor. She didn't seem to notice Miko and Claire at first.
"Miko," Claire whispered, lowering her voice. "You don't think she…?"
Miko's eyes narrowed. "I don't know. But I've got a feeling we're about to find out."
Diana spotted them and stopped, her posture stiffening. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, Diana cleared her throat and looked up, as if trying to gather her thoughts.
"Claire," she began, her voice soft.
" I apologize what I have done to you. I thought it was just from my jealousy. I asked Tasya to do it. Yeah I was wrong."
" Hmm," Claire was thinking something
" Now, I just want your genuine act ,Diana. Prove me that you will not do it anymore".
" I will, Claire". "Diana spoke in a low, almost whispering tone."
" Anyway, Miko and I were just talking about the notes," Claire said, her tone even.
" A note?" Diana is quite upset.
Miko studied Diana closely. Something in her eyes shifted, but it was brief. Too quick for him to be sure. "Did you have anything to do with the note that was found in my bag?" he asked, his voice low.
Diana's eyes snapped up to meet his, and for a split second, Miko saw something flicker in her gaze. But she masked it almost immediately. "No. I didn't put any note in your bag, Miko.
"I don't believe you," Miko said quietly, not missing her shift in demeanor.
"Miko, I don't think it was Diana," Claire said, defending her.
"Then who was it, Claire?" Miko asked.
"That's exactly why we need to find out," she replied.
Claire knew it couldn't have been Diana. Diana liked Miko—there's no way she would be the one to send him a threatening note.