That night, the sky outside was pitch black without a single star. The pale hospital lights offered no warmth to the storm of fear pounding in my chest. I sat beside my mother's hospital bed, holding her thin, cold hand. The rhythmic beeping of the machines was like a cruel countdown—reminding me that time was running out.
Suddenly...
THUD!!
The door slammed open. I nearly jumped from my chair. My heart raced, and when I turned around, I saw him.
My father.
Storming in with an angry face, heavy footsteps, and—of course—her right beside him. Celene. Her eyes landed on me, not with love, but with annoyance. With power. With the intention to take me back.
"Raeya!" he barked, his voice echoing through the room. "You've been here long enough. It's time to go home. Now!"
I stood up slowly, my body trembling. My eyes flicked to my mother, then back to him.
"No! I don't want to! I want to stay with Mom! Please, don't make me go!"
His expression darkened. His eyes turned sharp—furious. He stepped up to the bed and stared at my mother. But it wasn't a look of longing or concern.
It was cold.
Void of any warmth.
As if she were nothing but an obstacle in his way.
My mom opened her eyes, barely, her voice a fragile whisper—
"Don't take Raeya from me…"
Celene chuckled, a cruel sound. She clung to my father's arm like a trophy, her voice dripping with venom.
"How pitiful," she sneered, glancing at Mom. "A walking corpse clinging to a child that isn't even hers anymore. Honestly, what a sad sight."
"STOP IT!" I screamed, my blood boiling. I stood in front of them, shielding my mother.
"Don't you dare talk about my mom like that! She doesn't deserve this!"
Father scoffed and grabbed my arm roughly.
"Enough. You're coming with me. You're not allowed to see this woman again!"
"She's my MOM!" I shouted, trying to wrench my arm free.
"I'm not going with you! I won't! Let go of me!"
He didn't listen. He tightened his grip, dragging me toward the door. I dug my heels into the floor, kicking and thrashing, tears streaming down my face.
"I WANT MOM! DON'T TAKE ME AWAY FROM HER!"
"Quiet! You're my child, and you'll do as I say!"
"You're not my father!" I screamed, voice cracking with pain and rage.
"My real father would never hurt Mom! Never hit me! Never treat us like this!"
Then suddenly—
SLAP!
A sharp sting exploded on my cheek. I froze.
Not just from the pain—but from heartbreak.
I stared at him, wide-eyed and trembling.
"You… you hit me?" I whispered.
I turned toward my mother, who could only cry, helpless and silent. Her eyes screamed in agony.
"Don't take my baby…" she croaked, her voice broken and fading.
"SHUT UP!" he roared at her.
"RAEYA IS MY DAUGHTER! I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO HER!"
"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT OVER ANYONE!" I screamed back with every ounce of strength left in me.
I kicked, shoved, even tried to bite him—anything to get back to her.
But a child's strength could never match a grown man's violence.
He dragged me out of the room. The hallway echoed with chaos. Nurses and patients turned their heads. People stared.
But no one stopped him.
"LET ME GO! MOMMM!!!"
I screamed until my throat burned. My body was soaked with sweat, my limbs weak. But he didn't care. He shoved me into the car, slammed the door, and locked it.
Then he said it.
"If you fight me again… I'll kill that woman."
Everything inside me froze.
My heart. My breath. My soul.
"What…?" I choked, barely audible.
"You heard me," he growled. "One word. One move. And I'll end her. Don't test me, Raeya."
I couldn't speak. My entire body trembled. I covered my mouth with my hand to keep from sobbing. Fear wrapped around me like a noose.
Beside me, Celene let out a scoff.
"Such drama. You act like she's worth all this."
In my heart, I screamed—
This is all your fault. If you hadn't come into our lives… I could still hug my mom. Still eat dinner with her. Still kiss her hand without fear.
I turned to her with nothing but hate in my eyes.
And for the first time in my life, I truly understood:
This world is cruel to those who love with all their heart.
---
Pov Liana
My body was weak, but my eyes fluttered open. The noise pierced my ears like thunder in the middle of a quiet night. I knew that voice—it was my daughter, Raeya. She was screaming… crying in a way only a mother could understand.
"I WANT MOMMY!!"
It felt like a thousand needles stabbing my heart. My eyes opened wider. Though my vision was blurry and my body felt as heavy as lead, I knew… something was wrong.
I heard a man's voice—Arvind's.
And that woman's voice, sharp and venomous—Celene. A sound that had slashed my soul far too many times.
Then—
A loud smack.
Raeya's cries grew even louder.
"RAEYA!!!"
Through the open door, I caught a glimpse—Raeya was being dragged out by Arvind. Her tiny body resisted with all its might, kicking, fighting, but powerless.
Tears spilled down my cheeks. I couldn't let this happen.
With all the strength I had, I moved my stiff hand. The IV tubes pulled at my skin, but I didn't care. I had to get up. I had to move.
"My baby… Raeya… don't take my daughter…" I whispered hoarsely. My voice was almost gone.
I forced myself to sit up. My knees were weak, my chest throbbed with pain, but I tried to plant my feet on the floor. Cold linoleum kissed my bare soles. I panted.
THUD!
I collapsed. The machines around me crashed, alarms blared, the heart monitor beeped wildly. But none of it mattered.
"RAEYA!!" I screamed, louder this time, my voice raw and broken. I clawed at the floor, dragged myself inch by inch. I gripped the IV pole, the sheets, anything I could reach to pull myself toward the door.
"My baby… I'm coming… Raeya… RAEYA!!" I cried as I crawled slowly toward the exit.
Hurried footsteps echoed—nurses and doctors rushed in.
"Mrs. Liana! Please, you're not strong enough!"
"DON'T STOP ME!" I roared, my voice cracking like shattered glass. I clawed at the ground, trying to rise.
"My baby… don't take my baby again… she's the only reason I'm still alive… GIVE ME BACK MY DAUGHTER!"
My hands bled as I scraped the floor, grabbing onto anything that might help me get to her. I needed to see her face. To hold her in my arms. She was my life!
Suddenly, hands gripped me, holding me back.
"Mrs. Liana, please calm down! You'll hurt yourself!"
"I DON'T CARE!" I screamed, tears pouring down my face. "I'D RATHER DIE THAN BE SEPARATED FROM HER AGAIN!"
I fought back, kicking, flailing, scratching with every bit of energy I had. But it wasn't enough. More nurses came—one of them held a syringe.
"NO! DON'T! RAEYA! RAEYAAA!!"
I screamed like a madwoman.
Then—the needle pierced my arm. Heat spread quickly through my veins. Everything started to blur.
"Don't… take my baby… please…" I whispered, as the world faded to black.
The last thing I saw was the empty doorway. No Raeya. No one. Just me… and the silence.
Tears slipped down my cheeks as I sank into forced sleep. The last sound in my heart was Raeya's sobs echoing in my memory.
And in that silent darkness, I kept whispering softly:
"Wait for me, Raeya… I'll come for you, no matter how hard this world tries to tear us apart…"