What Fate Stole From Me

Chapter 4: Consequences Begin

POV: Maya

That evening, as soon as I stepped inside, I heard my father's voice.

"Maya, daughter!" He sounded genuinely surprised to see me.

"Papa..." The world caught in my throat, along with the air in my lungs.

"Samuel's back in Agua Azul," he said quickly. "He came here looking for you, but i told him you'd gone for a walk on the beach. Did he find you?"

I shook my head.

"It doesn't seem like you were very excited to see your fiancé," he said, studying me.

"Papa, I need to talk to you."

"And I need to tell you something," he replied, motioning toward the living room. "Come, sit down."

I set my bag on the coffee table and sank onto the couch, bracing myself.

"Tell me, Maya-do you truly want to marry that boy?"

"Oh, Papa..." I pressed my hand to my face.

"Forgive me for insisting," he said gently, "But you know, I always dreamed you'd travel, study, see the world before settling down." "You're still so young. To me, you'll always be my little girl." He paused, his expression softening. "I know your mother's been pushing you toward Samuel, but tell me honestly-are you doing this because you want to, or because of her?" How can I tell my father without causing even more problems. "Tell me are really in love?"

"Yes, Papa, I'm in love... but not with Sa-" Before I could finish, a familiar voice cut in from the doorway.

"Maya!" Tia Carla had interrupted with a smile. "Tell me-what was the look on your face when you saw your fiancé? He's such a fine young man, handsome, and from a good family. You're so lucky, my darling. You couldn't have found a better match."

I felt the air between them grow tense, both speaking over me as if I weren't even there. My heart pounded in my chest. If only they knew the truth-that my heart already belonged to someone else.

Papa's expression tightened. "Carla, we're having a private conversation."

"Oh, pleace. This isn't the time for secrets," she said, gliding toward us. "Maya, you should be grateful. Samuel is handsome, well-educated, and from a family with the kind of standing most girls could only dream of marrying into."

"That's not what matters most to me," I said, trying to keep my voice calm.

Papa frowned, leaning forward. "Carla, she has a right to choose her own happiness."

"And happiness," Carla countered, "comes a lot easier when you don't have to worry about money or status."

The words in the room became a blur. I got up, my legs moving on their own, carrying me to the sanctuary of my room.

I sat on the edge of my bed, replaying the chaos of the day in my mind, when the door to my room slammed open.

My mother strode in, her heels striking the floor like gunshots. I shot to my feet. "Good evening, mama-"

The words barely left my mouth before her palm cracked across my face, knocking me backward onto the bed.

I pressed my hand to my cheek, stunned. "Why did you hit me, Mama?"

"Samuel has just taken a plane back to London," she snapped, her voice trembling with rage. "He doesn't want to know anything about you. What did you do, you stupid girl, to ruin your engagement in a single day?"

Her eyes blazed. "Do you have any idea how long I've planned this marriage? What it means for our family? For your father's business? Your wedding to Samuel was to be the most anticipated event in Agua Azul!"

"Mama, forgive me, but I have a very important reason not to marry Samuel-"

"I don't love him," I said firmly.

"Don't give me that idiocy. Love is unnecessary in these circumstances. Go pack your bags-tomorrow we're flying to London to fix this mess."

"No."

Her nostrils flared. "Whether you like it or not, you will marry Samuel!"

"I'm not going to London, and I'm not marrying a man I don't love."

"That remains to be seen. Maya,don't challenge me. You know, my decisions are not open for discussion."

"Mine aren't either," I shot back, my voice shaking with anger. "I'm not a little girl anymore, and you can't control my life. I respect you, Mama, but I no longer care what you think. I always knew you wouldn't agree-but I have Papa's support, and he will stand by me."

Without waiting for her reply, I turned and bolted for the hall. "Papa!" I called, running out of my room and toward his office.

"Maya, listen to me!" she called after me. I could feel her right behind me.

But I didn't stop. "Papa!" I busted into his office without knocking, my breath coming fast. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. My throat felt tight, my hands trembling at my sides.

He looked up from his desk, startled. Concern etched on his face. "Maya? What's wrong?"

"Samuel and I... we broke up." My voice wavered, but I forced the next part out. "I don't want to marry him." Mother was already behind me. "I don't love him and I never will."

"What?" his brows shot up, but there was a smile on his face. "Explain to me what happened."

"Just-help me. Please don't let Mama face me into something I don't want. Because if she does, I'd rather leave this house than go through with it."

Papa's expression hardened. "Gabriela, can you give us a moment? I want to speak to Maya alone."

"You can't allow her to-" She stared at him, fury flashing in her eyes.

"Enough, I said leave," he snapped, his tone brooking no argument. "I want to talk to my daughter alone."

Mother turned slowly toward me, her eyes narrowing. It felt like her stare was burning straight through me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead where I stood. She jabbed a finger in my direction. "You need Jesus!" She spat, then spun on her heel and stormed out.

I let out a shaky breath. I didn't realize I'd been holding. My heart was still racing.

Papa stepped closer, his voice softer now, almost warm again. "Calm down, daughter. I'll take care of this." Papa's hand came to rest on my shoulder.

Something in his tone made my shoulders loosen just a little, but deep down, I knew this wasn't over. Mother would be back-and next time, she wouldn't come at me with words alone.

After our talk, Papa and I stepped out of his office.

The moment we entered the living room, the air felt thicker, heavier-like someone had closed all the windows and let the air grow stale. Mother was seated on the sofa with my brother Jaden and my Tia Carla, their voices dropping into silence as if my presence had stolen the words from their mouths.

I didn't have to hear what they'd been saying. I could feel it in the way mother's chin lifted, in the faint curl of her lips. She was still talking about my marriage-still making plans for a future I had already rejected.

Papa's hand closed around mine, warm and steady. He leaned down and kissed my cheek softly, his voice meant only for me. "Go to your room, daughter. Try to calm yourself, and we'll see each other at dinner later."

"Yes, Papa."

I turned toward the hallway, my steps slow and measured, but inside my chest my heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. The air seemed to thicken around me, every movement an effort.

I could feel their stares on my back, prickling across my skin. But my mother's gaze was the heaviest-it didn't just watch me, it pinned me, cold and sharp like a blade pressed between my shoulder blades.

I didn't breathe again until I was halfway down the hall.

Once I shut myself inside my room, I grabbed the phone with trembling hands and dialed James.

"My love," I whispered the moment he answered, my voice breaking. "I argued terribly with my mother. She knows now that I don't want to marry Samuel. She's furious."

"Don't worry, my love," James said, gently, though I could hear the tension in his voice. "We always knew this moment would come, but... did Samuel speak to her? Did he tell her he saw us together?"

"No, I don't think so," I said quickly. "If he had, she would have thrown it in my face already."

A pause. Then his voice softened. "But you're alright? Tell me-what happened exactly?"

I closed my eyes, shaking my head. "Not over the phone. I can't... I can't talk for long. I'd rather see you, so I can explain everything."

"Then meet me," he said without hesitation. "At the beach."

"Yes," I breathed, relief rushing through me. "As soon as I can, I'll head out."

Unaware of it at the time, I wasn't alone-Jaden had been there, silently listening to everything I said.

Later that night at dinner, I barely touched my food. My appetite was gone, weighed down by everything that had happened. Finally, I set my fork down and rose from the table.

"I'm tired," I said quietly. "I think I'll go to my room."

I circled the table, leaning down to kiss my father's forehead. "Goodnight, Papa."

"Goodnight, my darling," he replied with a tired smile.

On my way out, I brushed my hand lightly against Tia Carla's shoulder, unaware that my brother's sharp eyes were following me.

That night air wrapped around me as I slipped outside, my feet carrying me instinctively toward the beach. In the distance, I caught sight of a figure standing near the shoreline. My heart leapt-James.

I hurried closer, reaching him from behind, but when he grabbed my hand and turned, the shock hit me like a wave.

It wasn't James at all.