Bonds

Chapter 14

-Maya POV-

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. A million conflicting emotions warred within me: anger, resentment, guilt, fear, and an unexpected pang of grief.

She was more like a trophy wife to Daniel Stone but the fact still remained-she was my mother.

Natalia placed a comforting hand on my arm, her presence grounding me in the midst of the emotional maelstrom. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision, but I blinked them back, refusing to crumble.

“Where is she?” I demanded, my voice surprisingly steady.

He gave me the name of the hospital, and before I could even process the information, I was already pushing the call to end. Natalia helped me gather my things, moving with urgency yet understanding

“I’ll watch the kids,” she promised, her voice firm and reassuring. “Go, be with your mother.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. With a quick hug of gratitude, I rushed out, my mind racing, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs.

Would I get to say goodbye?

my senses as I skidded to a stop at the reception desk. My breaths were coming in ragged gasps, adrenaline fueled by the phantom echo of my father’s

out, forcing myself to calm down. “My mother was in an accident. She was brought here.

overly-tight smile and eyes that held no warmth, scanned my

dismissive.

didn’t bother registering her attitude. With a mumbled

greeted me stopped me in my tracks. There, on a sofa, sat my mother, a magazine casually draped across her lap, as my

rip from my throat, raw and laced with disbelief. “You told me she was in an accident! How?

father finally looked up, his eyes devoid of any genuine concern “Amaya,” he

hell is going on?” I demanded, my voice rising in pitch. My eyes darted between them,

I saw a flash of apology, a

before I could read into it further, my father’s voice cut through the

said, thrusting a

stunned by the abruptness

to repeat myself, Amaya?” His voice grew sharper, laced with irritation. “Take

hot and potent. “Are you seriously kidding me right now? You seriously lied! To get me

Chapter 14

the white contrasting the vivid red blooming on my skin. Anger simmared, threatening to

My voice, barely a whisper, echoed in the sterile

the air, a loaded accusation. I yearned to unleash the oriental frustration and hurt that had fostered within me for years, but something

silence stretched,