Nia smiled, too confident. She thought this was already over.

Zara’s fists clenched at her sides. She forced herself to stay calm. She couldn’t lose control. Not now. If she did, Nia would win.

“I know who you are,” Zara said, her voice slow and steady.

Nia leaned back, her expression unfazed. “Do you?”

Zara took a step closer. Her heel clicked against the polished floor like a countdown.

“Tiana Rowe. Miami. 2018. You vanished just before your big career break.”

A flicker, just for a second. Then Nia’s mask slipped back on.

“You were always smart, Zara. I’ll give you that.”

Zara’s heart pounded.

“But not smart enough,” Nia continued. “Because you still think this is your story.”

Zara didn’t move.

“You were so busy fighting for your place in this world,” Nia murmured, rising slowly, “that you never realized how easy it was for someone else to take it.” She stepped closer, her voice dropping. “You’re already gone.”

No.

Zara refused to believe that. She had one last move, and it had to be now.

~ ~ ~

#BecomingZara