Enemies by Fate, Lovers by Choice

Lilith stood outside Mira’s apartment door, a bouquet of lilies clutched in her hand. Her stomach churned with a mix of nerves and worry. Maria placed a reassuring hand on her arm.

“Nervous?” Maria asked, her voice soft and concerned.

Lilith nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yeah, we didn’t inform her after all.”

Maria smiled, her eyes filled with warmth. “It’s okay, Mira may look cold but she’s actually softhearted.”

Lilith took another deep breath and knocked softly. It was the weekend, so they knew Mira would be at home. However, the person inside seemed to be not awake yet, as they kept knocking for almost five minutes.

When they were about to turn around, the door opened. It was Mira.

Mira first saw Lilith, which shocked her. She thought she was hallucinating. She frowned and secretly pinched her thigh— ' It hurts '

Mira looked coldly at Lilith, then moved her eyes to the other person. “Mom?” she asked, while pinching her thigh again—  ' It hurts again, it's not a dream. Why are they here? And… why are they together? '

Maria smiled widely, with teary eyes, as she looked at how thin Mira had become. She couldn’t help but worry about her daughter. “Honey,” she said, then hugged Mira.

Mira was speechless for a moment, but her expression eased a lot. She asked in a softer tone, “Let’s get inside first.”

Maria nodded, then pulled Lilith, who had kept quiet the whole time.

Mira put two glasses of water for Lilith and Maria, then sat down.

“Mom, what are you doing here? And… with her?” Mira asked, facing Maria.

“Mira, don’t be rude,” Maria said.

“But—”

“No buts. Even if you two have conflict, she’s still older than you,” Maria said.

“I understand,” Mira said, then she looked at Lilith and apologized for her behavior. “I’m sorry.”

Maria smiled helplessly as she watched Mira apologize with a cold face. She didn’t know how her daughter could instantly switch her expression, which amazed her somehow. ‘My daughter is pretty and good at controlling her expression. Maybe it’s better for her to be an actress than a businesswoman.’

Maria held Mira’s hand and looked at her daughter tenderly. “Honey, your Aunt Lilith came here to apologize. Just this week, we met after so long, and your Aunt Lilith took the initiative to resolve our conflict before. It turns out it was all a misunderstanding because of some people’s obstruction and not being able to talk in person freely. I hope you can try to listen to your Aunt Lilith,” she explained, as she knew how Mira hated Lilith.

Mira frowned and felt conflicted inside. If there was really a misunderstanding and it had been resolved, then it was good for everyone. However, she couldn’t get rid of the fact that her mother had suffered alone back then, which made her reluctant to forgive.

Mira looked at Lilith, waiting for her to talk, although she knew she was being rude again. She just couldn’t help it.

Lilith could see Mira’s hatred for her in her eyes, just like when they first met before. And just like Mira, she also hated Mira a little, as her daughter kept getting close to Mira even with her warnings, which made her think that maybe the problem lay with Mira.

Lilith kept silent for a moment as she had to reflect again to herself. Past is past, and Mira’s hatred for her was because of her own doing before. And maybe if the problem had been resolved earlier, Luna and Mira would be really like sisters. Thinking about it, she smiled a little, and her prejudice toward Mira lessened.

“Mira, the first time we met was unpleasant, and I’m sorry for that. I’m an adult, yet I acted like an immature one back then. I was also unreasonable and even acted like a villain to you and to my daughter’s friendship. I’m really sorry. At that time, I was just afraid that something like the misunderstanding between me and Maria would happen to you and Luna. My daughter is my treasure, and she’s easy to get attached to people she likes, such as friends, so I’m really worried as her mother. I want to protect her as much as I can, physically and emotionally. Mira, I hope you can forgive me,” Lilith said sincerely.

Mira felt Lilith’s sincerity. She understood Lilith’s point after listening to her explanation. Although she understood, she still couldn’t accept it that easily, like her mother.

“I understand what you meant. It’s just it may take time for me to accept your apology before I can really forgive you,” Mira said. Then she added, “I also want to apologize for being rude and for blaming you. I know it’s not your fault, but I still blame you. I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not wrong for blaming me. If I had just asked instead of turning my back at that time, maybe—”

“Enough, Mira is right, Lilith. It’s not your fault,” Maria interjected, as she couldn’t endure seeing Lilith keep blaming herself. Although she also used to blame Lilith, if you think about it, Lilith just turned her back at that time, but then Lilith tried to talk to her, but she was blocked.

“Aunt Lilith, I’m sorry,” Mira said.

Lilith finally felt at ease. At least Mira was being honest about her feelings toward her, and Maria also didn’t blame her.

“Thank you,” Lilith replied.

Mira changed the subject, as the matter had been talked about. “Are you hungry? I’m going to cook.”

Maria quickly held Mira’s wrist. “Sit down and rest. Let me cook. Look at you, you’re too thin.”

“Mom,” Mira said.

“Ari, let me help,” Lilith said, and was about to stand up, but she was stopped by Maria.

“You sit down and talk to Mira. The kitchen is small, and I can handle it myself,” Maria said quickly to prevent Lilith from coming to the kitchen. ‘It’s better not to let her go to the kitchen for safety.’

Mira looked at her mother, then to Lilith, and she understood her mother’s concern.

“Aunt, we can just talk,” Mira took the initiative to talk to Lilith. It was better to get to know the people around her mother, even for a short time.

Lilith reluctantly agreed. “Okay.”