POV: Raeya
It's been a month… a whole month without Mom.
My days feel blurry, empty. I live in a big house that feels more like a prison. My father… I don't even know who he is anymore. Every day he flaunts his affection for that woman—Celene—as if my mother never existed.
How are you, Mom?
Are you okay?
Why does my heart never feel at peace?
Then suddenly, the house phone rang. That very second, I ran and picked it up with trembling hands and a sliver of hope.
"Raeya, it's Grandma."
Her voice was cold.
"Your mother's in the hospital, she's dying. She's tried to kill herself several times already, acting like a lunatic. Hmm... well, she is crazy."
My body froze, my breath caught, tears fell before I could stop them.
"This... this is a dream, right?"
"Why would I lie? Your mother… she might die today."
"Which hospital, Grandma? Please… I want to see her…"
"Fine. I'll send someone to pick you up. Come quickly… she's still asking for you."
After I hung up, I tried to be strong. But my tears wouldn't stop. I sat still, staring at the ceiling, praying silently. God, please don't take her away. Not yet. I haven't even hugged her again…
A little while later, a black car stopped in front of the house. A driver stepped out, and I knew—it was Grandma's ride.
I rushed outside the moment I heard the car honk. My heart raced out of control. I had only one thought in my mind—Mom… I'm coming…
But before I could even step off the porch, that haunting voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Raeya!"
I froze, my breath hitched.
My father stood at the doorway, eyes burning with anger. Celene clung to his arm, wearing that irritating, smug smile. For some reason, it felt like she was enjoying this.
"Where do you think you're going?! Are you planning to see that woman again?!"
I didn't answe, I just kept walking, but every step felt heavier… because deep down, I knew he wouldn't let me go. And just like I feared—he yanked my arm, hard.
"I said you're not going anywhere!"
"Let go of me!" I yelled, trying to pull away. "I have to see Mom!"
He gripped me even tighter. My arm felt like it was about to tear off, it hurt, it burned. But nothing compared to the ache in my heart.
"You're not leaving this house! Especially not for that woman!"
That woman.
Again, over and over again. As if my mother meant nothing. As if the woman who raised me with love didn't exist.
"Dad…!" I looked up at him, my eyes soaked, voice shaking with fury and pain. "Stop calling her that! She's my MOTHER! The one who raised me, who loved me unconditionally, who… who you hurt without a second thought!"
"She poisoned your mind, Raeya! She made you hate your own father!"
"No!" I screamed, my whole body trembling. "You made me hate you! You tore her away from me! You are the one who kept us apart!"
I broke down. I hit his chest over and over again, sobbing.
"I hate you! I hate all of this! Why are you holding me back?! Why are you caging me like I belong to you?! I'm not yours! I'M HER DAUGHTER!"
He didn't move. His face was stiff. For the first time, his eyes wavered. But he still wouldn't let me go.
"You don't know what you're saying, Raeya. Your mother… she's not the person you think she is."
"I DON'T CARE!" I shouted. "Even if she did something wrong, I still love her! She's still my mom! I'll leave this house if that's what it takes to be with her!"
Celene stepped forward, her hand still curled sweetly around Dad's arm. Her smile calm—but cold as ice.
"Darling… let her go. She's just emotional. She'll come back to you."
Dad turned slightly. Stayed silent. And finally… he let go of me.
My skin was red and burning, his grip leaving a mark I'd carry for days. But what hurt more… was having to fight just to see my mother.
Still, I didn't care. I ran to the car, crying. The driver opened the door, and I climbed in, barely holding myself together.
Through the car window, I looked back. Dad still stood there, unmoving. His eyes followed the car as it pulled away… for a long time… like he was afraid of losing something.
But it was too late.
My heart had made its choice.
Mom… wait for me… Please… just stay alive… a little longer…
---
On the way, my chest felt tight.
The streets outside the window were just blurry shadows. Time seemed to mock me—dragging slowly, painfully. My hands clutched my skirt tightly, trembling, as if trying to contain the panic boiling inside me.
Mom… please hold on… I'm on my way. Please, don't leave me alone…
As soon as the car stopped in front of the hospital, I flung the door open and ran, not waiting for the driver. The cold floors of the corridor echoed beneath my shoes, and the sterile white walls only made my anxiety worse. Every step brought me closer to the answer I'd been dreading.
At last, I stopped in front of Room 304. The driver pointed toward it.
My hand trembled as I reached for the doorknob.
When the door opened, the world seemed to stop. My breath caught.
There—on a white hospital bed surrounded by unfamiliar machines and tubes—lay my mother. Her face was pale, her body thin, a far cry from the warm, vibrant woman who used to welcome me home with open arms. Her hair was messy, and her chest rose and fell so faintly… too faintly.
"Mom…" I whispered, barely audible.
Step by step, I walked toward her. I wanted to hug her so tightly, to hold her and scream that I was here… that I'd come. But she looked so fragile… I was afraid I might hurt her.
Slowly, I pulled up a chair beside her bed. I took her cold hand in mine. I kissed it—that hand, the same hand that used to gently pat my head when I cried.
Tears fell from my eyes.
"Mom… please… wake up… I'm here… don't leave me, Mom… I need you…"
Suddenly, her fingers moved, ever so slightly. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open—half-lidded, weak—but they found me. And then, with a voice that was barely there, the voice I missed so much finally called out to me.
"Raeya… my sweet girl…"
"Mom… it's me… Raeya… I missed you so much…"
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her face twisted with longing, with pain long held back. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I broke down at her bedside, gripping her hand like it was my lifeline.
"What happened to you, Mom…? Why did you have to go through all of this alone…?"
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching.
I turned—and saw my grandmother standing at the doorway. Arms crossed, voice cold and sharp, she spoke:
"She locked herself in that room for weeks. Refused to eat. Refused to speak. Just crying and screaming like a lunatic. A complete burden. If we hadn't pitied her enough to bring her to the hospital, she'd probably be dead by now."
I froze.
Those words… too cruel. Like a blade straight to my heart.
I stood up, staring at her with tear-filled eyes.
"How could you…? How could you speak like that when she's in this condition… when she went through all this alone…?" My voice was soft, but broken.
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "That's what happens when you're weak because of love. Just look at the result."
I turned back to my mother and wrapped my arms around her—tighter than before.
"Mom… I'm here… I won't leave again… I promise I'll stay with you… always…"