Chapter 13
Sam (Annie’s Mom)
I wander around my daughter’s room. Tears flow abundantly from my eyes and stream down my cheeks. I feel like the worst mother. I was supposed to protect her, to be aware of what was happening in her new life with Liam, but she looked so happy that I didn’t see the red flags. I didn’t realize she was the only one in love in that relationship. I should have warned her that she could get very hurt, just as it happened.
I lie down on her bed and caress her pillow. It still has some of her perfume. My sweet girl. She was always happy, but with what Liam did to her, she might become someone with bitterness in her heart. I am so scared she’ll lose that joy that defines her. We all love her for that, as there is no one who isn’t happy around her. I naively thought that boy had finally realized he felt something for her, but I see now that I was completely blind.
No one suspected that he and Maria were in a romantic relationship. Both David and I are very shocked because, despite not being blood siblings and not sharing a last name, Susan always treated them like her children. She never made any distinctions between them. It’s a shame we didn’t notice anything strange we could have prevented our fairy from getting hurt.
lift the sheet. Tonight, I’ll sleep here. Something in my mother’s heart tells me I won’t see my daughter for a long time, and that pains me deeply, like a dagger sinking in and making me bleed.
Ilie down to cry without anyone interrupting me, I slide my hand under the pillow to hug it when I feel something. I pull it out, and it’s a photo of us from when we still lived alone before I married her father. She was the most beautiful baby in the world. I bring it to my lips to kiss it, and when i go to put it on the nightstand, I see there’s something written on the back.
“Mom, it was you and me against the world. Now I’m leaving, but i’ll be back. I love you so much, beautiful mommy. Take care of Dad and my siblings until I return. Annie‘
I manage a slight smile. She knew me so well that she knew I would come to her room. She’s always ahead of everything we do, and although it always scared me a little, I got used to her peculiar way of being.
She’s right. I must take care of the people who are left in my charge. I can’t fall apart because my husband is no longer young, and I know he feels devastated. He feels quity for not stopping this madness, but deep down, he knows that’s how she is. She risks everything even though she knows she could lose With her, it’s all or nothing.
As I close the room, I see my husband approaching. At fifty–eight, he’s still a handsome man, but the excesses of his youth have caught up with him. He has to take good care of himself if he wants to last long enough. I smile at him, and he comes closer to hug me.
Were you coming to our girl’s room too?” He nods without words. He has never admitted it out loud, but Annie has always been his favorite daughter. I can’t make distinctions, but I know the kids don’t mind. She is also Rocios favorite sister, Robert’s, and little David’s. The favorite niece, the favorite granddaughter, and the favorite cousin. She is even the favorite friend of the twin sisters. I don’t understand how she couldn’t be Liam’s favorite woman. But I understand that love can’t be forced; either you feel it, or you dont
That’s why the only thing I can blame that boy for is humiliating her. Not for not being able to love her, because I am aware that my daughter fought until the last moment, seeking to be loved by him
“Let’s go to our room, love. Don’t mess up her things.” I nod and go with him, in his arms, where I don’t feel the pain of my daughter’s departure as
much.
Annie
I’m in my room, ready to sleep, but something is making me very uneasy. The way I left must have hurt my parents a lot, and I haven’t talked to them since the wedding day
I sit up and turn on the light. Although it’s a bit late here, it’s not so late at home. Without thinking twice, I dial my father’s number, I hear it ring, but he doesn’t answer. Maybe they’re already asleep. But suddenly, I hear his voice, and my heart leaps..
“Annie?” Tears immediately moisten my eyes. It’s the most wonderful voice in the world.
Daddy! I love you, Dad. I miss you, Mom, my siblings, everyone. I miss you all so much.” Soon a lump in my throat prevents me from continuing, but he understands.
It’s okay, baby. We understand. You’ve always been a sensible girl, and if this is what you needed, we support you, I just hope you don’t take too long to come back
I knew n
my parents would understand I just hope they also understand when they find out they’ll be grandparents and that I’ve deprived them all of
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Chapter 13
knowing this news
“Daddy, I’m fine. I came to a medical brigade, but I promise I’ll take good care of myself. You all take care of yourselves too, please. When finish, see if I’m ready to return, but don’t worry, I stay in touch with you frequently I love you all so much” I say, almost unable to speak because of the sobs. I say goodbye before it becomes more painful,
“Goodbye, Daddy, I’ll call you soon” When he says he loves me, I hang up because I break down from the pain. These days were supposed to be the happiest, as I would be on my honeymoon with the man I love, but fate put me in my place and said no. Now all that’s left is to rebuild myself and become the Annie I used to be. But I still can’t.
Suddenly, I feel a pang in my lower abdomen, so I calm down. Maybe my child is reproaching me for being a bad daughter. I le down on the bed, but I make some noise, and Mirtha wakes up.
“Baby, are you okay?” My friend comes over to me, fear in her eyes. I smile because these women feel almost a devotion to me and take care of me 100 much.
“Yes, I’m fine, I just felt a slight discomfort. She doesn’t seem very convinced, so she wakes her sister,
“Martha, Martha.” My friend sits up in her bed and looks at us with confusion.
“What’s going on?” She gives a little start upon seeing her sister next to me. “Are you feeling unwell, Annie?” I shake my head. It was really just that, something very slight,
Tm fine, you exaggerators, Go back to sleep, a
p, and if I feel unwell, I’ll wake you up.” They don’t seem very convinced, but each goes back to her place.
“Annie, you’re making yourself strong, but your pain is still there. If you need to cry, cry, but don’t let it affect our little nephew, okay?” They are right. I can affect my baby with my repressed feelings
“Okay. I’ll try to let out my sadness. Baby doesn’t deserve it They smile
Forgive me, son. I feel like I failed my parents, but I won’t fail you,” I think as I curl up in the sheets. It’s still too early to heal, but I must try to forget.
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