[Maria's Regret?]

Claire sat on the couch, her body stiff, her fingers lightly brushing against the engagement ring she wore. Her eyes were hollow, her face pale. The heaviness of everything she had endured weighed her down like an invisible shroud and no amount of comforting words could undo the damage. Her life had been shattered, piece by piece, and now, as Maria stepped into her living room, Claire's already fragile composure threatened to crack.

Maria stood at the entrance with her usual air of innocence, a small smile gracing her lips. Her dress was immaculate, her makeup subtle yet flawless, but her presence alone was enough to send Claire's nerves into overdrive.

"Claire," Maria greeted, her voice light yet dripping with insincerity. "How are you? I've been so eager to meet you."

Claire turned her gaze away, unwilling to acknowledge Maria. Silence lingered between them, thick and suffocating.

Madame Lana, sitting in a chair nearby, observed them both, her sharp eyes scanning Maria's demeanor. Claire's face, though calm on the surface, betrayed her internal turmoil.

Maria suddenly sighed and, to everyone's surprise, sank onto the couch across from Claire. Her eyes welled with tears and soon, she was weeping openly.

"I…I need to say something," Maria started, her voice trembling. She covered her face with her hands before looking up, her eyes filled with crocodile tears. "Claire, I'm sorry. I…I framed you."

Claire stiffened, her eyes darting toward Maria, then to Cain, who stood near the doorway. His jaw clenched, his fists balling at his sides.

Maria's voice wavered as she continued. "I was jealous. I framed you so Cain would see you as a manipulative, cunning woman and leave you. But…" She paused, her tears intensifying. "But I didn't expect Cain to take it so far—to send you to prison. I swear, Claire. I never wanted that to happen."

Claire's lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Her gaze flickered between Maria and Cain. Everything Maria said made sense—more than Claire wanted to admit. Cain had a choice, didn't he? He could have investigated the claims. He could have spoken to her. Instead, he chose to believe Maria and threw Claire into the depths of Hell.

Maria shifted, kneeling beside Claire now. "I've been thinking a lot about what I did while I was in rehabilitation. I suffered so much there, Claire. And it made me realize how horrible it must have been for you. I–I regret it all. I'm so sorry. Please, give me a chance to make things right. Please forgive me."

Maria's hands reached for Claire's, but she jerked away as though it burned her. She turned her face to the side, her chest heaving with silent anger. Maria wasn't deterred. She moved to the other side of Claire, desperation seeping into her voice.

"Claire, please. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness but I truly mean it. I never wanted to destroy your life. I just…I just wanted you out of Cain's." Tears trailed down Claire's cheeks, but she didn't speak.

Cain, however, couldn't stay silent. He narrowed his eyes at Maria, his voice sharp and accusing. "What's your new plan, Maria? What strategy are you using now?"

Maria looked taken aback, her lips trembling. "Strategy? Cain, how can you say that? I'm baring my soul here, apologizing for my mistakes. I didn't send Claire to jail, did I?" She turned toward him, a glint of mockery hidden in her tone.

Cain's nostrils flared, his body taut with restrained fury. Madame Lana, meanwhile, sat in her chair, watching Maria with a cold, calculating gaze.

Maria rose and moved across the room, her steps slow and deliberate. "You're blaming me for everything now? Come on, Cain. All I did was set the stage. You were the one who decided to take drastic steps. Let's not pretend I had that kind of power." Her words were like daggers, and Cain's fists tightened until his knuckles turned white.

Maria turned back to Claire, her expression softening again as she approached her. Taking Claire's hands in hers, she pleaded, "Claire, I am truly sorry. I suffered the same fate as you. At least you were spared public humiliation, but me? I lost my dignity in front of the world. People hate me. They call me crazy. I've lost my job, my reputation, my career—everything." Maria's voice cracked and her eyes shimmered with fresh tears. "Please, Claire. Believe me. I've changed. I just want to make things right. Let's move past this. Please."

Claire's patience snapped. She yanked her hands away, her voice breaking as she shouted. "That's enough!"

The room fell silent, the air charged with tension. Claire's body trembled, her voice shaking as she continued. "Maria, if you were jealous, you could have confronted me. Fought with me. Yelled at me. But you–you framed me. You ruined my life!"

Her gaze shifted to Cain as she walked towards him, and her voice turned colder, angrier. "And you…if you were so concerned about Maria, so protective of her, why didn't you just leave me alone? Why did you ever get involved with me?"

Claire's breathing quickened, her voice cracking as she let her emotions pour out. "I lost my job. I was beaten, starved, humiliated. And worst of all–" She choked on a sob, her hands trembling. "I lost my Nana." Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the floor, her body shaking with suppressed sobs.

Maria tried to reach for her but Claire pushed her hand away, glaring at her with tear-filled eyes. "You people destroyed me. And now, after all this, you think I should forgive you? Start fresh? Forget everything?"

Madame Lana stood, her face stern, and moved to Claire's side. Gently, she helped her up, brushing her hair back and wiping her tears.

"Claire," Madame Lana said softly. "You don't have to deal with this anymore." She turned to Cain and Maria, her tone hard and unyielding. "Both of you, leave. Now."

Maria blinked, her lips parting in protest. "But Lola, I—"

"No," Madame Lana snapped, her voice icy. "You've done enough, Maria. Claire is a human being, not a pawn in your games. You don't get to decide when or how she forgives you. Leave."

Cain stood frozen, his heart heavy with guilt. Claire's words echoed in his mind, each one cutting deeper than the last. He had failed her in every way possible and no apology could erase the pain he had caused. Slowly, he turned and walked out of the room, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

Maria hesitated, looking between Claire and Madame Lana. Finally, she followed Cain, her face pale, her steps uncertain.

As their figures disappeared, Madame Lana sighed and turned back to Claire, who sat silently on the couch, staring blankly at the floor. Gently, she stroked Claire's hair.

"You don't have to forgive them," Madame Lana murmured. "Not now, not ever. Take your time, Claire. You deserve to heal." Claire didn't respond, but her silent tears spoke volumes.

Outside, Cain stood across the pillar, Maria slowly walked towards him.

"Cain. I am very–"

"Save it, Maria. You pretend to be innocent but are you? If all you did was just frame Claire then how were you in contact with the prison's most ruthless bully, Verica?" Cain gritted his teeth and his gaze staring into Maria's soul. Her paling face was answer enough.