"Yikes… you look terrible," Elly says, staring at me like I've come back from the dead as she drops into the seat beside me.
I blink, pulled out of my thoughts. I've been sitting in the cafeteria for almost an hour without realizing it. The place buzzes with life — low conversations blending with the clatter of trays and the scrape of chairs against the tiled floor. Laughter bursts from a table nearby, but it all feels distant, like I'm underwater.
I glance around before looking back at her. "Hey… Miss Nod Master," she tease I weakly look at her, forcing a small smile.
Her grin fades instantly. She leans closer, studying my face. "Okay… what happened?"
I shake my head. "Nothing. I just… wanted some alone time."
She squints. "Girl, you look like someone ran over your dog."
I let out a quiet laugh. "I don't even have a dog, Elly."
"That's what makes it worse," she says dramatically, then softens when she sees my expression. "Seriously… what's going on?"
I hesitate, staring down at my hands. "It's… Mother. I'm worried about her."
Her expression changes. She gently takes my hand, tapping it reassuringly with her thumb. "What about her, Zoey?"
"She's just… acting strange lately," I whisper. "And I can't explain it, but… I feel like something bad is going to happen."
Elizabeth squeezes my hand. "Hey… it's okay. I know you don't say it much… but you love her. That's why you're scared."
My eyes sting. I nod quickly, trying to blink the tears away before they fall. She notices anyway she always does but she doesn't push. She just stays there beside me, quiet and steady, letting me breathe.
Ella…..
My hands tremble as I look at Ethan's photo. The picture smiles brightly at me, almost haunting, accusing me. I take a deep breath as tears roll down my cheeks, my eyes red and burning.
"You made me do all that, Ethan… for our daughter. You made me a monster."
I place the photo frame on the lamp desk beside me with a loud tap, a bottle of drugs clutched tightly in my other hand.
"I never thought I would have to leave you like this, Zoey…" I whisper, closing my eyes as more tears fall. "This… this regret isn't letting me live peacefully anymore."
The memory of the afternoon fills my head.
Jackson came again today his voice sharp, accusing.
"You know, Ella… I have a gift for you."
I looked at him with cold eyes as he sat smugly on the couch. He handed me a bottle of sleeping pills.
My eyes widened. My face went pale.
He grinned, shaking the bottle slightly. "Take it."
I took the bottle, staring at it, then back at him.
"Might help you," he said lightly.
Then he left, like nothing had happened.
I stood frozen there, the bottle in my hands making me feel like I had finally been caught…
Zoey…
I take a deep breath as I clean the table. The café is pretty busy today. Luca and I haven't had a chance for a break, and I still feel like something's off. I wanted to get home early, but it seems like that's impossible today.
Luca waves his hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. I smile and nod. He walks over.
"Everything good?"
"Mhm."
That "mhm" probably sounds like "no." He laughs lightly.
"Just tired?" I say looking away cleaning the table again. He holds my wrist stopping my hand mid cleaning "Um…luca.." he looks me in my eyes raises an eyebrow, stepping closer.
"You sure?"
I nod, a light blush creeping onto my cheeks from the closeness. He smiles at me, scanning the café for some settings.
"Very well," he says, then turns and walks back to his reception After Luca walks back to the reception, I take a shaky breath and glance around the café again. The chatter, the clinking of cups, even the faint smell of coffee, all feel like noise in a faraway world. My hands linger on the edge of the table, cold against the wood. I want to leave… but I can't shake the heaviness pressing into my chest, like something is waiting for me at home. Every step back toward the door feels heavier than the last, and I know my heart is bracing for something I don't want to face yet.
.........…
Outside, the wind hits my face as I pull my coat tighter around me. The streets are empty, the lamps casting long shadows across the sidewalks. My breath fogs in the cold air. I know it's just a few minutes to my house… but it feels like miles. Each step toward the porch makes the pit in my stomach twist tighter, reminding me of the dread that's been whispering at me all day at last I see my house knocks at the door. It's freezing, around 8 p.m. but it feels like midnight and I'm standing outside my house porch. My hands tremble as I turn the lock. It's open. My heartbeat quickens.
I rush inside. I look toward the kitchen no smell of food, no sound of my mother stirring the pot like usual.
"Mother…." I call, but there's no answer. The house quiet too quiet..
"Mother…" My voice rises this time, thinner, shaking.
I rush upstairs, taking every step like my life depends on it. The feeling that's been hunting me all day now claws through my chest. I reach her door, knock once, then turn the lock.
"Mother…"
A gasp leaves my mouth as I run to the bed. She's lying there pale, still, her lips blue.
"MOTHER!" I shout, shaking her as tears fall freely down my cheeks. "MOTHER… no, no, NO!"
My hands search for a pulse as panic hits every nerve. My lips tremble. My eyes wander desperately around the room pauses at the empty drug bottle. My soul almost left my body I look at her pale face, closed eyes as my tears fall on her face now...
"No… no… why mother?" I whisper, my voice breaking before turning into a scream. I shake her harder now.
"Mom… Mom, PLEASE…" I shake her violently now..
My hands tremble as I collapse against her, snuggling my face into her lifeless body. Every fiber inside me feels like it's tearing apart as I cry in pure agony, the world around me going silent except for my broken sobs…
...…..Z...