The Substitute Wife Chapter 7: 7 She's Back?

Maya arrives at the restaurant that Mia texted her about. She enters and sees a man standing in front of her, smiling. She looks around the restaurant. (Where's Mia? I'll ask him.) As she walks closer, he knits his brows. (Who is she?)

Before she could speak, he opens his mouth and asks, "Who are you?" "I'm Maya." "Where's..." "Is Mia here?" "Eh? What?" "Mother told me that Sister is ill, that's why I come back. Sister texted me to meet her here." He looks at her. (She's not lying.)

Hiro grabs his cellphone and calls Mia, but it leads to voicemail. "How come she's not answering?" He calls her again, but no sign of her picking up. Maya tries to call her too but couldn't reach her.

Maya whispers, "What's going on? Wait...it can't be." Hiro heard her. "What is it?" "I'm sorry. I think my parents are involved of why she's not answering." "What do you mean?" "This...this happen before. Mia and I both love ballet but father and mother stops paying her ballet performance. They don't want her to share the spotlight with me. Sister gave up ballet. I often sneak out to sleep with her and have conversations with her. Or even see her dance."

"What happens to her?" "She....shuts herself in her room. She's always alone. I tried to talk to her at school but she told me not to bother her anymore. We drift away since then." "Do you know where she is?"

Maya shakes her head. "I don't. All I know she doesn't have any friends or make any. She prefers to be alone." "Well lets get you home." "Mm. Thank you."

As he reaches his in-laws, he enters the house with Maya. They both were shock as soon as they see Mia on the floor. Her back was bleeding. Maya notices Mother is holding a whip.

She runs up to Mia's side. "Sister. Sister." "Ah. Maya, you're back." Maya stands up protecting Mia. "How could you do this to Sister?!"

Mother's expression darkens. "This s.l.u.tty woman is stealing your man, Maya. I'm just--" "Enough!! I had it. You and father always, always treat her badly. Why?! She's also your daughter!"

Mother tries to reach out to Maya, but she slaps her mother's hand away from her. "Sister isn't stealing my man. Hiro isn't even mine. I came back because you lied to me. You told me Sister is ill. That's why I came back."

Mother turns and looks away. Mia tries to stands up. "Sister." Maya went to help her. "M-maya. Apologize to mother." "Sister." "M-mother is worried about you. Y-you don't even call her often. She doesn't rest until you do." Mia breathes heavily.

"Sister. Let's go to the hospital to take care that wound. "T-this is nothing." "Sister." Mia then collapsed. "Mia!!" Hiro then steps in and lifts her up. Mother sees him.

He glares at her. "If anything happens to her, I won't let you off even if you're their mother." Hiro left with Mia in his arms and Maya.

...

The doctor comes out and talk to them. "How's my sister?" "Shes fine, she's just overworked herself and malnutrition. Also her wound on her back..." "What is it?" "It may leave a scar."

Maya silently nods. "Thank you." Maya comes in the room and takes Mia's hand. "Oh Mia. I'm so sorry." Hiro clench his fist. (I won't let anyone hurt you, Mia.)

Maya walks up to Hiro. "Please takes care of her on my behalf." Hiro nods. "Where will you be staying?" "Ah I'm staying with my boyfriend." She turns and looks at Mia then at Hiro. "Thank you. For liking a person like Mia. She's a good person. If it's you, then I don't have any worries about her safety." Maya left the room.