It was another day of rehearsals, Natanie was on stage prepping with the other girls when she caught a sight of Cathera at the entrance staring innocently at her. She was surprised that Cathera showed up at the Dance Palace because she almost never did.
Then Natanie got down from the stage and approached her. 
“What do you want?” Natanie asked feeling annoyed. 
“Natanie, is this how it's gonna be?” Cathera began. “Well, it's been a while since I last saw you, so I decided to come pay you a visit.”
“You shouldn't have bothered, knowing fully well that there's no need for that.” Natanie said evenly.
Cathera looked sobered up and she blinked severally like she was gonna cry any moment.
“I'm so sorry Natanie, I never knew that I would hurt you this much.” Cathera said as Natanie looked away from her.
“But you did.” She looked back at Cathera. “And that's because you don't care about other people's feelings, all you do care about is your personal interest and nothing more.” Natanie said bluntly. 
Cathera looked hurt by Natanie's words. “But I do care about you. I love you so much and that's why I did what I did, to protect you.” She muttered beneath tears.
Natanie shook her head. “You must have adopted and raised me, but that doesn't mean you possess the qualities of a good mother!” 
“All those years that I spent with you were all filled with lies and betrayal. I'm not your daughter, you said so yourself so please, I want you to just stay the hell away from me for as long as it's necessary.” Natanie said and walked away.
Cathera tried calling her back but Natanie was interested in further conversations. 
As Natanie walked away, she locked in the tears that was threatening to rush down her face and climbed back up on stage. 
By the time Natanie turned to the entrance again, Cathera was gone. Natanie sighed, it's always that way. Cathera was never there when she needed her the most and she never will. 
Then she continued prepping for her dance. 
Cathera walked through the hallway and when she almost made it to the exit, she bumped into Madina who looked startled and shocked to see her sister. 
Both sisters appeared frozen at the sight of each other. Madina had searched for Cathera just so she could reconcile with her, whilst Cathera had searched for Madina just so she could ensure her demise.
“You.” Cathera muttered with disgust laced in her voice.
But Madina looked relieved to see her sister again. “Cathera, it's so good to see you after such a long time. Couldn't reach you.” 
“Well, it's not so good to see you, since all you've done is to steal everything that matters to me.” Cathera blurted as Madina furrowed her brows.
“I didn't steal anything away from you.” Madina said.
Cathera felt disgusted and rolled her eyes. “What are you even doing here anyway?” 
“I work here. So now that question goes right back at you.” Madina blinked back something in her eyes.
“Oh, as the dancers caregiver?” Cathera snorted as Madina bit her lip.
“Anyway, I came here to see Natanie, my daughter.” Cathera laid emphasy on ‘daughter’.
Madina raised her brows at her. “Oh right, you're the fake mother.” She scoffed. “I don't mean to be rude and of course, not after it's been such a long time since I last saw you. Just so you know, I care about Natanie and what you did to her is unforgivable!” 
Cathera was surprised and suddenly uncomfortable to know that her sister and Natanie are that close. She's ended up bringing both mother and daughter together. It annoyed her.
“You have absolutely no right or whatsoever to judge me, Madina. I did what I did for my daughter because I love and care for her whereas you, you don't even have a child to care for! Talk more to love and cherish. And here you are preaching to me about what's right and not right for my daughter?” Cathera seethed. 
Cathera's words struck Madina so hard. True, her daughter Olivia died a long time ago but that doesn't mean that she still doesn't love her. Madina thought.
“That's so pathetic.” Cathera added as Madina's eyes burned with tears. 
Her lips quivered. “You know I once had a child whom I love so much.” Madina mumbled under her breath.
Cathera nodded with intense mockery. “You're right Madina, once. Never again and forever!” Cathera said cruelly and walked away angrily. 
Madina's heart ached with the equal amount of pain she felt all those years ago. 
“Olivia…” Madina whispered as a lone tear threaded down her cheeks.
Madina walked back slowly to her quarters and approached her large windows. She stood by it and stared outside.
Her heart was aching and her mind was a mess. The memory of her loss was indeed hard to bear. She quickly blinked back her tears when she heard Natanie's voice.
"Hi Madina." Natanie called out and sighed exasperatedly.
Madina turned to face her. "Hey."
Natanie noticed that she's not her usual self. "Madina, are you okay?" She asked as she saw the traces of tears in Madina's eyes. 
"Oh yes, I'm fine." Madina said trying to sound convincing.
Natanie stared at her for a moment and nodded in agreement. "Alright." 
Then she moved away and dropped her leather bag on the couch and prepared to change into something else.
"I bumped into your mother a while ago." Madina said softly as Natanie took a quick glance at her and furrowed her brows.
"My mother?"
Madina nodded slightly. "Cathera, isn't it? I know her."
Natanie squinted her eyes. "How did you...? I've never introduced you both, so how do you know her?" 
Madina sighed and looked away. "That's because..." She trailed off."
"Because?" Natanie pressed. 
Madina looked back at Natanie. "That's because she is my sister."
Natanie's mouth shot wide open for a moment.
"Your sister?"