“They’re beautiful.” Her eyes shifted to the vase that now held the flowers at her bedside. “Your father has been so busy. It’s been a while since he brought me flowers.” A small but sad smile formed on her face. It made my chest hurt. Both me and my dad were letting my mom down. We were lying to her and leaving her in the dark. If she knew the truth she would be upset, but I didn’t like how the deceit made me feel inside.
“Once you have your surgery I’ma be around more. I’ll make sure to let my boss know I’ll need a couple personal days to visit.” I wasn’t sure how true my words were, but even if I had to sneak out the house I would make it my mission to come over and spend time with my mom.
Her frail hand covered my mine. “I would love that. I miss you, my sweet girl.”
My stomach stirred. “I miss you too, Mommy.”
The lies were becoming harder to tell. Part of me regretted agreeing to be Kairus’s captive because it was hurting my mom. I knew losing my dad would hurt her worse though.
I inhaled a sharp breath. “How is the nurse working out? She seems nice.”
Being able to come and spend time with my mom was just what I needed to rebalance and regroup. Today she was laughing and smiling more than I had seen in a long time. Her eyes held more light. Her skin wasn’t as ashy and pale. I got a small glimpse of my mom before she got sick and it pained me that I wasn’t around more to see the transformation.
After some time the nurse came in and let me know it was time for my mom’s meds, not to mention I saw exhaustion creeping up in her eyes.
“I’ll call you later.” I leaned over and kissed her forehead.
“Okay, sweet girl.” I went to pull back but she grabbed me. “Azeira? If you were in trouble you would tell me right?”
My mouth parted then closed. I nodded, blinking slowly. My mom’s eyes never wavered as she studied my face.
“I love you, Mom. Don’t worry yourself so much.”
She coughed some and shook her head. “You’re my baby, my only child. Of course I worry. I just can’t help but feel like something’s wrong and you don’t want me to know.”
I smiled softly. “I’m fine.”
“Okay,” she said quietly, her eyes growing heavy. “I love you, my sweet girl.”
I left my mom’s room and walked until I was at my dad’s office. He wasn’t here when I first arrived and his office was still vacant now. I hadn’t spoken to him since the last time I visited. I made a mental note to call him. I didn’t like my mom being left alone as much as she was. Regardless of the nurse being here, I didn’t sacrifice my life for him not to be by her side.
I left the house and the man, whose name I learned was Crusher, was in the black truck waiting for me. He stepped out and opened the back door when I got closer.
“Can we go by my friend’s house?” I asked once he was back in the car.
“No.” He shut me down, making me frown.
“Why not?”
“Boss said to your parents’ house and that’s it.”
“Well I want to go to my friend’s house too.” He ignored me. “Well can you call him and ask if we can go to my friend’s house?” Again I was met with silence.
Pushing a heavy breath out, I crossed my arms, pouting. I wasn’t even sure why I needed a driver. It wasn’t like I was gonna run away. Crusher wasn’t welcoming, kind of scary, and quiet.
I should be happy I was allowed to go see my mom. I hoped it wasn’t a one-time thing. Hopefully this meant Kairus would be more lenient with me leaving the house knowing I wouldn’t disappear.
I was currently in the garden reading one of the books I had gotten out of the library. The sun had gone down and it wascomfortable outside. I was knee deep into a dark romance, enjoying how the unhinged MMC was soft for the female character. He didn’t hesitate to kill anyone who wronged her and even brought her back body parts as proof.
I felt him approach before I even lifted my eyes from the book. Kairus stood at the entrance of the garden watching me with a blank face. He was gone when Crusher brought me back from my parents’ house. Instead of dwelling in my room, I snuck to the library, grabbed a book, and came outside. Marvin still avoided me when he saw me, but I didn’t take it personal. The last thing I wanted was another person getting hurt because of me.
“I’m glad you’re here.” I closed the book, making sure to keep my hand on the page I was reading. “Thank you for allowing me to see my mom today. It meant a lot to both of us.”
His face remained blank, but he gave me a subtle nod that caused me to smile. “I need you to come with me,” he said.
I tucked my lips in my mouth and furrowed my brows but didn’t protest as I stood. I made sure to check the page I was on before closing the book and following him.
“Do you ever dress down?” I asked, noting he was always dressed in a suit. I had been here over a month and had yet to even see him in a T-shirt and sweats.
