Chapter 25
Emily’s POV
I had just finished the dishes, the last chore for the day, and let out a deep breath, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. Cleaning had always been my way of finding calm in the chaos–a simple routine that brought a semblance of order to my life.
As I dried my hands on a towel, I thought about how much I’d come to rely on these moments of solitude. Once I become more self–sufficient, I’d ask Amanda to leave. I didn’t need anyone hovering over me; I could take care of myself.
The act of cleaning was a reminder that I still had control over some parts of my life, even when everything else seemed to be spiraling.
Just as I was lost in those thoughts, my phone rang, its sudden jolt pulling me back to the present. I glanced at the screen–Nina’s name flashed across it. A part of me hesitated before answering, the memory of our last conversation still fresh in my mind.
The tension between us had left a knot in my stomach, but I knew I couldn’t avoid her forever. I sighed, wiping the last traces of water from my hands before picking up the call.
“Hey, Nina,” I greeted, trying to keep my voice light, though I knew she could probably sense the underlying tension.
“Emily, I’m so sorry,” Nina’s voice was laced with guilt. “I shouldn’t have brought up Tyler. I crossed a line, and I didn’t mean to upset you.”
I sighed, leaning against the counter. “It’s okay, Nina. I understand where you’re coming from. You’re just trying to help, and I
appreciate that. But it’s complicated, you know? My relationship with Tyler… it’s just too damaged.”
“I know,” Nina said softly. “Tyler made so many mistakes, and no amount of regret can erase the hurt he caused you. I love him, but I can’t force you to forgive him. I just… I don’t want this to affect our friendship.”
I felt a pang of sympathy for Nina. She was caught between two people she cared about, and it wasn’t fair to her. “I get it, Nina. And I don’t want to come between you and Tyler. I hope things work out for you both.”
“Thank you, Emily. That means a lot to me.” There was relief in her voice, and I felt a bit of the tension between us dissolve. “Let’s just move past this, okay? I value our friendship too much to let anything ruin it.”
“Agreed,” I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips. “We’re good, Nina. Let’s just focus on the present.”
As we wrapped up our conversation, I felt a bit lighter. Nina’s apology and our reconciliation brought a sense of normalcy back, and I was grateful for it. But just as I was about to hang up, another call came through–this time, it was Zane.
Before I could even greet him, I heard my mother’s voice on the line. “Emily, how are you doing?” she asked, her tone tentative, almost pleading.
I remained silent, my jaw tightening at the sound of her voice. My mother had always been distant, her love more conditional than I could ever accept. Hearing her now, trying to reach out, only stirred up old wounds I had tried to bury.
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“Emily, please, say something,” my mother’s voice wavered, the desperation clear. “I love you.”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips, though I kept it silent. Love? Now, after all these years? I didn’t want her love anymore. It was too little, too late.
Sensing my unwillingness to respond, my mother sighed and handed the phone to Zane. “Your mommy’s here, Zane,” she said softly before I heard the rustle of the phone being passed.
“Mommy?” Zane’s voice brought me back to the moment, grounding me in the reality of our conversation.
“I’m here, baby,” I said, forcing myself to focus on him. “I’m always.
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here.”
#1
“Mommy, I miss you,” Zane’s voice was tinged with sadness, and it broke my heart a little more.
“I miss you too, sweetheart. How are you doing? Are you having fun with Grandpa and Grandma?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation light for his sake.
“Yeah, but… I want to come home,” Zane replied, his voice small and vulnerable.
“Oh sweetheart! I don’t want you to miss your vacations. I want you to make the best out of these times,” I said gently, trying to reassure him. I also missed him badly, but I couldn’t compromise. his safety, yet.
“I miss you so much, Mommy,” Zane’s sadness was palpable, and I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes.
“I know, sweetheart. I miss you too. But we’ll be together soon, okay? Just a little while longer,” I promised, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed from downstairs, jolting me out of the moment. My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively straightened up, my senses on high alert.
“Zane, I need to go. I will talk to you later,” I said hurriedly, trying to
keep my voice calm for his sake.
“Okay, Mommy. Bye. I love you,” Zane replied, his voice tinged with
worry.
“I love you too, baby,” I said, before quickly ending the call.
I placed the phone on the counter, my heart racing as I grabbed the nearest object–a vase–holding it tightly in my hands as I cautiously made my way toward the stairs. The house was eerily quiet, every creak of the floorboards amplifying the tension that had settled over me like a thick fog.
When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw it–the glass of the back door was shattered, pieces of it scattered across the floor.. Someone had broken in.
Panic surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I needed to call the police. My fingers fumbled for the phone in my pocket, but before I could make the call, something hard connected with the back of my head.
Pain exploded in my skull, and I staggered forward, dropping the vase as I tried to keep my balance. My vision blurred, and I heard a man’s voice, panicked and breathless. “You’re dead this time.”
Before I could react, the darkness swallowed me whole, and everything went black.
