Tangled

163

163

163 Ava: Mom (III)

Fach word is like a dagger to my heart, twisting and tearing at the fragile threads of my composure. I feel myself crumbling beneath the

pain, a tear slipping down my check, hot and heavy with the weight of a lifetime of misery.

But then, amidst the chaos of my emotions, Vanessa's words echo in my mind: "Your mother no longer has any power over you. All the power she holds is in the past, in memories."

I cling to those words like a lifeline, using them to anchor myself in the present. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I meet my mother's gaze head-on.

"No. Mom," I say, my voice growing stronger with each word. "I didn't ruin anything. Nor did I fail. I was a child who deserved to live with her family. With happiness. You failed me. You should have sheltered me did."

My voice cracks a little, and I clear my throat. "I'm not here for you. I'm not here as your daughter. I just want to know what information you have about the vampires." My gaze meets hers, and this time I make s flat. Devoid of emotion.

I can't let her see how much she affects me.

"This is your last chance, Mom. The moment I tell Lucas that you have nothing to tell-"

"He will kill me as soon as I give him the information he seeks," she says, turning her face away from mine with a wave of her hand that I recognize.

by that worl You make me as if baby You changed ou kissed me every night before I went to derp tam

Dame it. I can't stop the anger.

"You are a deceiver. You cannot be my child. No defect would be borne of my womb

Her weak voice grows strong as she screams.

This is not the mother I remember

not an elegant

her mouth spitting vitriol, her eyes wild and bulging. "You are no wolf. You are no child of mine. You should be grateful I kept you alive all these years!" "Do not call me

reaches in a frenzy for anything that she can throw, and

from me, you demonspawn child. You

were never mine!"

the machines pierces the

me, their faces set

shoulders, firm and steady, guiding me away from the bed. I stumble, my legs quivering

we need to go." Vanessa's voice is low and urgent

away from my mother.

her screams rising above the beeping and the nurses' calm commands. Her eyes, wild and fevered, lock onto mine, and for

commotion.

does, she shows no sign of it. Her screams only grow louder, more

raw and ragged. "Get away from me! You're all in on it! You're

grip tightens on my shoulders, and she pulls me towards. the door with more force. "Ava, we need to

to guide me out of the room, my feet moving of their own accord. The screams and

Haunting.

Horrible.

and I know deep in my heart-the final

Holding afrodit he

uw wether in faded, helging me hours

E

steps in Nort of the her eyes searching my face

she asks

CEST

know feel nuh,

her warmth seeping through my jeans I reach

in the fandhar texture.