MARIA'S POV
"Hello, Mom," I greeted, bracing myself for the inevitable scolding I knew was coming. It had been days since I last responded to her calls, and she was understandably worried. Little did she know the true reason behind my silence—a reason too terrifying to disclose over the phone.
As I listened to her voice on the other end, I couldn't bring myself to interrupt her tirade. She went on about how she had been trying to reach me, how worried she was, and how irresponsible it was of me not to respond. Each word felt like a weight pressing down on my chest, guilt gnawing at me for causing her such distress.
But amidst her chastising, I couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment towards Connor. It was him who had orchestrated this, typing out messages on my behalf to maintain th
