Maya's POV

I must have brought a country to ruin in my past life to deserve this kind of fate. Was it really impossible to escape the Spencer's? It seems the more I run, the more I keep getting tangled with them.

Like a rose, they're beautiful and enticing but right now, they're choking me with their thorns.

I was more shocked to see Pedro than Isabella, what charm did Anabelle use on Cecil for her to release her precious son and allow him to journey with them without her supervision?

This unusual gathering was probably instigated by Annabelle - definitely not Isabella's normal mode of operation else, chaos would've broken out already.

Seeing Isabella made me a whole lot uncomfortable. It was nerve-wracking having a meal with a child that would've become my stepdaughter if things had gone according to as planned.

Thankfully, she just passed me a brief glance and focused her attention back on her food.

I felt like I failed her like I didn't fight enough for my relationship, but what could I do? Sometimes it was better to give up than fighting a losing war.

Love was not always enough to face all situations. Niklaus and I had too many opposers and oppressors. Also, a marriage hardly survives without the support of family members - household enemies were the most dangerous of all.

"Take a seat, " Eden said without looking at me.

Not a word was heard from my lips as I pulled out a dining chair and sat down, he was still angry at all.

I must have scared the hell out of Eden, now he must be thinking I have *Suicidal ideation - I couldn't exactly blame him anyway; catatonia in most cases comes with depression which in turn leads to suicide.

But I had to survive ..no, I must survive!. I still have a lot to achieve in this life also, I couldn't give Kim and her family the pleasure of knowing I turned out to become a failure as they predicted.

"Aunt Maya " Annabelle's energetic and high-pitched voice jerked me out of my thoughts

"Huh? " I was startled.

"What happened to your face? Did you fight with a cat? " She asked pointing to her own face as reference.

I blinked in confusion.

Oh, I haven't treated that scratch wound yet, that skipped out of my mind thanks to the drowning incident.

I felt Izzy's heated gaze on mine, my hand flew to my face, stroking the wounds that no longer hurt as before.

With no clue how to answer Anabelle's question, I decided to go along with the flow of her thought

"You're right pumpkin, your aunt Maya fought with a dangerous wild cat today "

"That witch touched you? " A cold voice resonated directly across from me at the table and caused me to look up, my calm gaze connecting with Isabella's heated orbs.

"We touched each other, " I clarified.

Tina is a b*tch, that I agree, but I'm not going to dump all of the blame on her. We fought each other period - though it was three against one.

"Touch? " Annabelle chimed in, albeit she couldn't decipher our cryptic conversation "A witch touched you? I thought witches don't exist, how did you find one? Is that possible? "

This was one big question - numerous at that - how could I explain everything to Anabelle in a simple and concise manner.

Still thinking hard on how to maneuver my way out of this situation without creating more loopholes, God helped me out by touching Eden's heart.

"No talking at the table, " He told Annabelle strictly who tried to protest.

"But still, I want to - "

"That's final, " His voice sounded a lot firmer.

Tears gathered in Annabelle's eye but Eden ignored her, it seems her charm wouldn't work this time; save Pedro who rubbed her back in a soothing manner.

"Don't cry" Pedro comforted her while I shook my head in disapproval - Eden spoilt her way too much or maybe, she's just a natural crybaby.

Still, the amount of tears she produces in such a short time amazes me, Anabelle would do exceptionally well in a crying scene. Especially when she lifts those beautiful blue orbs with glittery tears gathering at a corner of her eyes and looks straight at you - God, the scene would be so breathtaking!

Unlike Anabelle who is so natural at shedding liters of tears, I have to compose myself and remember a really emotional experience that hurt me badly before I'm able to act out a crying scene.

"Hope you won? " Isabella was the first to break the 'no -talking- at- the -table' rule and her question was obviously directed at me.

It indeed baffles me how every member of the Spencer household was obsessed with the winning mentality. Would it be a crime if they lost for once?

I watched Eden's reaction, he had a calm and neutral expression, nothing else as if he had expected it.

"Must I win? " I asked back.

"You lost to her in love, lose to her in a physical battle too? Then you're nothing but a coward "

My head jerked up, while the grip on my spoon was so tight I could already feel it deforming.

"Excuse me? "

Eden cleared his throat awkwardly, Annabelle who had been whimpering at the side even stopped and watched the both of us.

Isabella held my furious gaze," You heard me right "

"That is not the way to talk to me young lady, I would not have you disrespect me! " I scolded her, the spoon in my grip finally bending to an awkward position.

Isabella snorted loudly, "Oh please, spare me the' respect' lectures. You know exactly what I'm talking about here "

I was taken aback slightly, was I really beating about the bush?

"You did nothing and let your man got taken by another woman, instead you ran out bawling out your eyes like a chicken "

I retorted," What do you expect me to do? Humiliate myself further? "

"That tiny witch of the century kissed your man for Christ f*cking sake! You were supposed to grab her hair off that stage and show her who the boss is, not run with your tails hidden between your legs! "

A loud bang was heard as my hand came down hard on the table, clattering some dishes

I deadpanned "Really? Really Isabella? You're suggesting to me physical harassment in front of hundreds of esteemed guests and live broadcast !"

"Alright ladies, this is the point where we should all calm down and reason diplomatically like a normal human -"

"Not now uncle! "

"Not now Eden! "

We both snapped at Eden who tried to play the role of a mediator at the same time. He quietly leaned back against his seat with his hands raised in surrender as if giving us the go-ahead sign.

"So you're trying to say Nik and I breaking up is my fault?! " I questioned her accusation, pointing to my chest.

"You just didn't put enough effort! "

"Or maybe you're just defending your father who can't dedicate his lips to one woman! " I retorted, anger surging through my veins.

"Then you should have thought of that before getting lovey-dovey with him! " Isabella sassed back.

Anabelle shot to her feet, "Hey! Don't talk to aunt Maya that way! "

Izzy passed her a deadly glare, " I don't remember inviting you to this discussion, you weensy weepy barbie! "

"Izzy !"

"Isabella! "

Eden and I cautioned her, but the damage had already been done

Anabelle gave a hateful look, 'You always ruin everything, I hate you! " She yelled at her niece and ran out of the dining table while Pedro went after her.

I snickered at her, "So much for being violent "

Isabella stood this time, gave me a long stare, and left for her room - I sincerely hope I'm not sharing a room with her, considering the fact I'm insanely mad at her.

Beside me, Eden clapped, " Bravo, you successfully defeated the legendary Isabella in an argument "

I glared at him and downed a glass of water, I let my anger have the best of me.

"Niklaus would be so delighted to hear this " he continued his taunts and I dropped my glass on the table with a thud.

"Seriously, what's your problem now?! " I asked him with a hint of irritation.

"You know deep down that there's an atom of truth in what Isabella just said " He began.

Can't these people cut me some slack tonight?

I rubbed my forehead," Perhaps if you and Tina hadn't been in cahoots with Adam, I would have had a fighting chance " I disclosed just as he brought a glass of water to his lips.

Eden froze.

Does he take me for a fool, that kissing incident was definitely orchestrated by them to chase me off and they succeeded - they must be full of happiness.

"I didn't have to lift a finger, you and Niklaus were never going to work out together - no matter how much he deludes you " He sipped his water.

"And you think we both are the ones who would work out? "

There was a short silence, his eyes held mine.

"And if I said yes? "

I stared back, regarding him intently.

"Both of us can never work, " I told him straightforwardly.

" Why? "

"Because you are way worse than Niklaus "

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*Suicidal ideation: also known as suicidal thoughts, is thinking about, considering, or planning suicide. The range of suicidal ideation varies from fleeting thoughts to extensive thoughts, to detailed planning.