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

bulging. "You are no wolf. You are no child of mine. You should be

throw, and settles

me, you demonspawn

were never mine!"

the

the room erupts into chaos. Nurses rush past me, their faces set in grim determination as they surround my mother, now thrashing in some

guiding me away from the bed. I stumble, my legs

voice is low and urgent in my ear. "Let

away from my mother. She

wild and fevered, lock onto mine, and for a moment, I'm frozen in place.

commotion.

sign of it. Her screams only grow

voice raw and ragged. "Get away from me! You're

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

their own accord. The screams and beeping fade behind us

Haunting.

Horrible.

of a reunion, and I know deep in my heart-the final chapter

Holding afrodit he

in faded, helging me hours

E

away from my pholders as she steps in Nort of the her eyes searching

right? she asks

CEST

but no words come. Am I alright?! don't know feel nuh, hollowed out, as if my mother's words have carved away a piece

against my leg, her warmth seeping through my jeans I reach down automatically to stroke

in the fandhar texture.