THE END OF ME

Chapter 2 Upheaval

“How Could you do this to me !!” I yelled punching at Roland and then cassia, my breath heavy and aching with each punch.

“ stop it !” Roland yelled at me, and before I could figure out what he was about to do, I found myself across the room, my head hitting loudly on the concrete wall.

“ Roland” I called in disbelief, tears slowly running down my cheeks.

This was the moment I feared the most, a moment of pain and sadness. A hollow ache pierced my chest as I gazed at them, my vision blurred by tears that streamed down my face.

“ how could you ? “ I asked.

“ can you stop ! Stop acting like a saint here!” Cassia bursted out “You and I know you’ve be having s*x with Ryan” she added and my lips widen in disbelief

“ you think I won’t find out ? Cassia told me everything, I’ve always known you’re a cheat” Roland said,staring at me with disgust.

My eyes moved frantically from Roland's accusatory glare to Cassia's solemn expression, unable to comprehend the torrent of words pouring out of them.

“ cassia you’re my sister” I managed to mutter.

“ we are not sisters, we just grew up together and decided to stay forever as sisters” she corrected and yes she was right. How could I have forgotten so soon that she’s not my real sister?

“ better get your ass up and go to sleep and stop acting like it’s the end of the world” Roland sneered, his eyes flashing with annoyance. He turned to cassia and planted a tender kiss on her cheek.

As he walked out of the room, his foot came perilously close to my leg, and I could feel the surge of anger and pain at the casual disregard he’d shown me. The sound of his footsteps echoed heavily through the hallway and slowly fade away.

“ you heard him,” Cassia said, and with the anger inside me, I sprang up and lashed at her, hitting her continuously until I was satisfied.

“Get your pieces of stuff and get the f**k out of my house now !” I yelled

“the house is not yours baby girl, and for hitting me ?” She said staring deadly at me “You’re moving out tonight” she added with a smile I found disturbing.

“ babe !” She yelled and before I could proceed to say a word, Roland came running in like a lost puppy.

“ she hit me and I need her out now!” Cassia instructed like a boss

“ cassia it’s late…we..can’t…

“ we..can’t…can’t, why the hell are you stammering ?” She yelled “You heard that she hit me and here you are telling me can’t…can’t “ she mimicked and for a moment I almost burst out laughing but the pain inside me was bigger than that.

“ Elara, you heard her,” Roland said and the remaining pieces of my heart shattered completely.

“ Roland” I called shortly and swallowed hard as I accepted what it was.

“ I’ll leave” I muttered, turned around, and walked away leaving them behind.

“Mommy” I heard and my steps halted. I raised my head to see Alina standing there with tears in her eyes. Without thinking twice, I wiped my tears and hurried towards her, giving her a tight hug.

“ Lina baby, what’s wrong?” I asked, slowly patting her back.

“ I heard you crying” she replied and my heart sank. This is not what I’ve always wanted for my child, I never imagined her in a situation like this.

“ Listen, baby, mommy is fine. I just tripped and fell. I’m fine trust me” I replied

“ you still have to leave! “Cassia's voice came from behind and I swallowed hard.

“ I will” I muttered and stood up, taking Alina’s hand in mine and walking toward her room.

“ Lina mama. I’m sorry I disturbed your sleep” I said apologetically trying hard not to tear up and watched her slowly nod her head.

I walked towards her wardrobe, took a few of her necessary items, and walked out with her, heading to my room.

“Mommy, are we going somewhere?” She asked calmly

“ yes, baby. Something came up and Mommy wants us to go together. Do you wanna come with mommy ?” I asked waiting patiently for her reply and just like always, she smiled and nodded

“ I always wanna come with you Mommy” she replied and I returned a smile that wasn’t so genuine.

“Where do you think you’re going with her?” Roland’s voice lashed out. I had never been so disgusted and angry at the sound of his voice as I was at this moment. I ignored him and continued getting my stuff which I slowly arranged in a small bag and put on more comfy clothes on Alina because of how cold it was. I grabbed my car key and just then

“ babe you got her car the car right? Why is she leaving with it?” Cassia asked and I felt a chill of anger submerged inside me but calmly swallowed it hard.

“ You can’t go with the car and won’t be going with Alina either,” Roland said, his voice low and menacing as he tried to grab Alina from me. I held on tightly, my fingers digging into her soft, cotton dress as I struggled to control my emotions.

“Roland, let go of her,” I said as calmly as I could, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tremble that threatened to betray me.

“ You can’t go with my child no matter what!” he yelled, his words echoing off the cold, tile floor as he pulled Alina away from me. She let out a loud, piercing cry that sent a shiver down my spine.

“ Roland, this is my child too! Let me have her! I birthed her and…” I pleaded, my voice cracking with emotion. He cut me off, his words dripping with venom. “And I got you pregnant,” he spat, his eyes flashing with anger.

I felt a surge of adrenaline as I yelled, “Roland, let go of my child!” my throat raw from the effort. He pushed me off, his hand connecting with my shoulder, sending me stumbling backward. I landed hard on the floor.

As I struggled to get back to my feet, I saw Roland walk away with Alina, her tiny body shaking with sobs. All I could think about was getting Alina back, holding her close, and keeping her safe from the storm that had erupted around us.

“ Come get her,” he replied, showing me the key after locking her in. The sound of Alina's muffled cries from inside the room was like a knife to my heart.

“ Roland…you just locked Alina in…” I muttered, my voice shaking with surprise and fear. The cold, hard floor beneath my body seemed to disappear as he shoved me to the ground.

“ Get out,” he growled, dragging me by the feet out of the house. I felt the rough texture of the floor scraping against my skin as he pulled me across it.

“ You're hurting me,” I let out in agony, my voice hoarse from the effort. My body scraped against the stairs as he dragged me down, the impact jarring my bones. The world around me was a blur of pain and fear, with only one thought clear in my mind: getting back to Alina.

Before I could process anything, I found myself standing alone outside the cold, iron gate, my bag thrown at my feet. The sound of the gate locking behind me like a prison door closing, leaving me with nothing but the echoes of my own despair. The chipping of the birds in the nearby trees and the moon shining brightly in the dark sky only added to my pain.

I looked left and right, but the streets were empty, devoid of any human presence. The only sound, the distant hum of crickets and the soft rustling of leaves in the wind. With my heavy heart, I curled up on the cold, hard ground, my body shaking with sobs. Tears streaming down my face, and my breath in ragged gasps as I struggled to come to terms with what had just happened.

There's no way I'm leaving Alina here, I thought, my mind racing with determination.