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Maya listened to his footsteps descending the stairs, and then the sound of the front door opening and closing, signaling his exit from the house, taking her heart with him.

Hana gave Maya a nudge. “What about this one?”

Maya blinked. “Pardon?” She focused on the clothing in the shop window, having been staring but not seeing for the past few minutes.

“The jumper, with the stars on it. Do you want that one? It’s very you.”

Tears filled Maya’s eyes. Anything related to stars reminded her of Sam. Anything at all reminded her of him. Last night she’d cried because her mum had said the word spam and it rhymed with Sam.

Spotting her distress, Hana pulled her in for a hug. “Aw, sis. I thought shopping for your Christmas present would cheer you up.”

“Me too,” Maya replied into Hana’s shoulder. Even though she’d thought nothing of the sort and had come along only to show she appreciated her sister’s efforts. Nothing could cheer her up. Not even a free holiday to Whistler with unlimited cocktails and scones and Mr. Darcy plus all the Hemsworth brothers for company.

Liv and Elise had advised her to tell Sam that she wanted to get back together. But it wouldn’t be right. She’d already put him under pressure, made him rush things. He needed time, and now she was wondering if it’d be better for him if she did take that Edinburgh post, to give him some space. Plus, it’d please her dad. Her friends had been concerned that she was neglecting her own needs, but it was all her own fault anyway. If she’d faced up to Cat years ago, then none of this would’ve happened. But the issue of not wanting to study accountancy would’ve remained the same. She closed her eyes briefly, willing the thoughts out of her head.

“Come on,” Hana said. “Let’s go and meet Rosie. She should be finished in that shop, and we’ll all go for cake at the new tearoom you told me about.”

They moved off down the street, Maya wiping the tears from her face. And just as she thought that life couldn’t get any worse, Catriona stepped out of a shop and into their path.

Cat’s face fell for a split second before her masklike facade went up again. “Well. I would say nice to see you, but it isn’t.”

Maya drew her mouth into a thin line, staring at Cat, taking in every detail of her face. This woman. She was responsible for all her heartache. All her pain, and Sam’s. The realization hit that not confronting Cat back then had resulted not only in her own heartbreak but also, more importantly, in Sam enduring years of emotional abuse at Cat’s hands.

Maya’s guilt swelled, overwhelming her to the point that she had to take a deep breath. Then it twisted, pushing up her heart rate as it morphed into rage.

She narrowed her eyes, giving Cat the coldest, most snake-haired Medusa stare of her life, and staying silent. She slipped her hand over Hana’s, gripping tightly.

Cat appeared thrown for a moment, clearly having expected some kind of retort rather than silence. Then a smirk played on her lips. “I heard you and Sam split? Probably cheating on you. A cheater stays a cheater after all.” She flipped her hair. “You’re better off anyway. He always was a loser. You’re probably thankful he got together with me instead of you back then.”

It wasn’t a snap of her temper, more a huge crashing blow. Like the biggest tree in the forest falling and smashing all of the other trees to smithereens.

“What?”

Cat’s eyes widened for a moment. “I said—”

Maya took a step closer, still gripping Hana’s hand, her pulse hammering in her ears. Screw nonconfrontational. Right now, she wanted all of the conflict. Bring it on.

“How dare you. You fucking lied to us, Catriona. Made up shit to force us apart, then kept Sam in misery for years. You took advantage of him when he was vulnerable, and what’s more, it was deliberate. You exploited all of his insecurities. Do you know what a nasty piece of shit that makes you?”

Cat’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

“Did you even like him, before I confided in you that I did? Or did you only decide to go after him because taking him from me created some sport for you?”

Cat tried to get a word in, but Maya raised her hand. “No. You don’t get to have the floor. Stop writing shit about me on social media. Leave me alone, leave Sam alone, and leave all of our friends and family alone. I don’t want any of us to have to see or hear anything from you again.”

Hana was squeezing her hand now, willing her on.

Cat swallowed. She went for another hair flip, but it was more lackluster this time. “Haven’t you heard of freedom of speech? I can say what I want.”

Hana stepped forward, towering over Catriona. “Not quite, missy. I’ve seen those comments, and some of them are libelous. I’m the best lawyer in England, and I’ve wiped the floor with peers who possess ten times your intellect.” She leaned in, narrowing her eyes, and Maya almost felt terrified on Cat’s behalf. “One more word about my sister, in any forum or format, and I will ruin you. Do you understand me?”

Cat was gripping her shopping bag for dear life. She seemed to give a tiny nod, then turned and walked away quickly down the street.

“Sis,” Hana said, turning with a wide smile on her face. “You were fierce. Well done.” She held her hand aloft for a high five, which Maya delivered, although her hand was trembling, her heart still pounding from the encounter.

“What about you?” Maya said, linking her arm through Hana’s as they began to walk, feeling as if she needed the support. The aftermath had left her legs like jelly. “Oh my God, I thought she was going to shrivel up, you were so scary.”

Hana pursed her lips. “Don’t mess with the Bashir sisters.”