I didn’t even process moving until I was on my feet with my fist launching straight for her face. Pain cascaded through my hand and up my wrist. Everly collapsed to the ground, blood streaming from her nose.

She whimpered, sprawled over the floor, staring up at me as if I was the animal. We were isolated in the corner enough that the rest of the café wasn’t alerted to our altercation.

“You assaulted me,” she said in disbelief.

“That’s fucking rich—”

“Who did?” Alicia cut in. “I didn’t see anything. You see anything, sis?” She was evil-eyeing Everly over the bridge of her sunglasses. I had honestly forgotten she was there.

My top lip curled in disgust. “All I see is a conniving witch who’s finally getting her comeuppance. Now, leave, and never speak to me again.”

Emphasising my order, Alicia leant forward and emptied her full glass of water over a screeching Everly. And with her high-pitched shriek came the attention of a full-blown audience.

“Damn,” Alicia clucked, unperturbed by the spectators. “I thought you would melt. You heard the lady. BE GONE, WITCH!”

Following through with her theatrics, Alicia picked up my glass next, ready to throw that as well.

Fresh tears lined Everly’s eyes as she held up one hand in surrender as the other held onto her injured nose in an attempt to staunch the outpour of blood. She was unsuccessful, much to my delight.

“Okay, okay. I’m going.” Everly shakily raised to her feet, her head hung in repentance. “If it’s any consolation, Owen got his wish… I am forever unhappy. My parents disowned me, and my daughter primarily lives with her father, who married another woman. They’re expecting their first child together.” She hiccupped, trying to stop herself from all-out sobbing. “My daughter loves her life with her dad and her new mum. She wants nothing to do with me. I’m a stranger.”

If only I cared. “It’s no consolation. But I’m glad your daughter found better than you.”

Everly flinched. Then, a young teen working at the café approached. We could tell she was shitting herself and did not want to intervene. “Ah… is everything okay?”

Alicia huffed. “It’s about to be. This lady is a liar, predator and a thief. And since we’ve exposed her for the witch she is, she’s about to do everyone a favour—hop on her broomstick and fly the fuck out of here, never to return again. Aren’t you?” she said, her voice filled with pure venom.

Everly shook out of her stupor, her puppy dog eyes lingering on me. “I’m sorry,” she repeated. Then, she turned and left.