Rose averted her eyes, struggling to hold back her tears. Then, trying to regain her composure, she softly asked:
— How did you meet Cid?
Mia gave a faint, amused smile, but a painful glimmer crossed her gaze.
— After being thrown out by my boss, where I used to work, I wandered aimlessly through the streets, under the rain… Defeated, empty… I felt like nothing mattered anymore, she admitted in a low voice. And you know what? I thought maybe I should have died that night, with them… Maybe it would have spared me all of this.
She paused, her smile softening into a bitter expression.
— And in a way… My wish was granted.
A heavy silence settled before she added with a hint of irony:
— Well… almost.
Rose frowned, worried.
— What do you mean?
Mia let out a small laugh, almost mocking herself.
— Because at that moment, Caden hit me with his car. He was driving too fast and didn't see me…
Rose instinctively brought her hands to her mouth, shocked.
— Oh my God…
Mia shrugged.
— But as you can see, I miraculously survived, she said with a smirk. And that's when Cid came into the picture. I made a deal with him: in exchange for temporary housing, I agreed not to make a fuss about the accident.
Rose took a few seconds to process these revelations, then shook her head with a sigh.
— So… you blackmailed him. Now I understand why Cid couldn't stand you…
— If you want to see it that way… Mia replied, slightly amused. But honestly, I didn't blame him. In the same situation, I would have reacted just like him.
Rose gazed at her friend with silent affection, then gently placed a trembling hand over hers.
— But I also know you had no choice…
Mia remained silent. Rose called her name in a weak voice, broken with emotion:
— Mia…
Tears shimmered in her eyes, reflecting the sorrow she felt for her friend. Mia offered a smile, but her gaze remained clouded with deep pain.
— Don't worry, Rose… I'm still here, aren't I?
Rose tightened her grip on her hand before embracing her, as if to remind her that she was no longer alone.
In the Shadow of the Hallway
All this time, Cid had been standing in the hallway, motionless, listening to their conversation without ever stepping in.
When Mia revealed her past and pain, he felt his heart clench. He had never imagined that behind her behavior lay such suffering.
He quickly wiped away a tear that had escaped the corner of his eye, then, without a word, turned around and left the house.
Once in his car, he grabbed his phone and sent a message to Rose:
"I already left. I didn't want to disturb you."
Then, after a moment of hesitation, he dialed another number and held the phone to his ear. After a few rings, a female voice answered.
— Is Master Léonard Faure available?
— I'm sorry, Mr. Faure, the woman replied politely. He is currently away.
Cid nodded, though no one could see him.
— Very well. When Master Faure returns, tell him I need him. Cid Dante.
— I'll make a note of it, sir.
— Thank you.
He hung up and stared at his phone screen for a moment, lost in thought.