CHAPTER05
1163 Words
The last straw
I fell to the ground, sobbing with my face pressed against the floor.
"I was young… and scared. After so many years, are you all not tired of resenting me?" I begged, my voice shaking with so much emotion. "I’m still your child, mama. At least I’m here, trying to make things right."
But my words were met with anger as Carly snapped towards me, breaking free from Ryan’s hands.
“Shut up Maya! You’re nothing but a selfish, ignorant and wicked person. If you ask me, you’re receiving every single thing that you deserve and sowed."
Ryan stepped forward, trying to intervene. He pulled her away from me, but I could see the anger and hatred in his eyes. I looked at him, pleading with him to help me from this situation. He remained unmoved.
Then I managed to stand up but Carly, who was still fuming, kicked me again as I tumbled back to the ground. I felt defeated in my own skin.
I looked at my mom, and she looked away from the scenario.
“Look, if I were to be you? I would go far away, so no one will ever set their eyes on me again. Better still kill yourself." Carly snapped again.
The extremity of her last words shook my spirit. No matter how I try, I can never change the hands of time. I was tired, tired of being blamed, tired of being the scapegoat for all of their problems. I was tired of being unloved and unaccepted. And at that moment, I knew that I had to get out of there, to escape the toxic web of my own family.
This time, with more effort, I managed to slowly get up, wiping my tears.
“You, Carly..." I hesitated. "Are even more horrible than I am and blaming people for your nonchalant attitude will not make you feel any better.” I spat in her face. Her hands went flying in the air, utterly disgusted by my act. She raised her hands to slap me.
I caught it right on time, holding it in a very firm grip. Over time, Carly had obviously forgotten who the elder was, constantly disrespecting me because she had so much backup.
I fiercely held on to those hands, bending them towards an angle. She cried out in pain. In that split second, Ryan charged towards me, hitting my hands away as he snatched Carly from me.
She was almost sobbing, and he comforted her.“Baby no, … don’t cry” he patted.
And I scoffed, he was always quick to defend her.
Then he charged towards me, his eyes blazing in anger. “You seem to have forgotten your place too soon?”
I took a step backward, then I stopped with my eyes fixed on him as he took longer steps closer.
I could feel the anger emanating from his body. "If you please, I will remind you where you belong," he said in a low menacing voice.
I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I refused to back down. I knew that if I showed him fear, he would only hurt me more. So I stood on my ground, my chest pounding like it would explode as I stared at him straight in the eyes.
The moment he lifted his hands, I screamed. "Do not dare, Ryan."
He paused, analyzing the whole situation as I maintained eye contact. "I'm getting a divorce," I announced.
The whole room fell silent and for a moment it felt like time had stopped. I felt like a hefty burden was being lifted from my shoulders. I turned towards Carly. Her eyes looked so shocked that they would fall from their sockets.
"He's all yours now." I snapped as I walked away from the room with the sole intention of never ever setting my eyes on them again.
I could hear Ryan's angry voice screaming behind me, but I couldn't look back or even make out what he was saying. The tears welling up had become a barrier, not just blurring my vision but also muffling my hearing. I didn't want to give him the impression of seeing me falter.
As I stepped out, I was struck by the darkness that surrounded me. I had no idea what time it was, as I had no phone or watch to guide me. In fact, I had nothing on me at all.
My subconscious mind began to wonder how I would proceed with the divorce process, but I pushed the thought aside, deciding to focus on the present moment. I took a deep breath and started walking, my feet carrying me across the street.
As I walked, I noticed a crowd of people gathered in the distance, and my curiosity got the better of me. I decided to get closer to see what was going on, mainly because I had nowhere else to go.
When I got closer, I realized it was a club. I had no money but the prospect of partying and drinking the night away was too tempting to resist. However, my plans were quickly shattered when the bouncers stepped in front of me, their stern expressions a clear indication that I wasn't getting in without an invitation.
"Your invite," one of the bouncers asked gruffly.
I hesitated, unsure of what to say. "Erm..."
Just then, two men approached the door, deep in conversation. "She's not here with the package," one of them said, his voice almost a whisper. "I reminded her, I swear. She said she'd be here tonight."
"The boss is going to have our necks if we don't have it," the other man replied, his eyes scanning the crowd anxiously. They looked like they were freaking out.
I have no idea what came over me, but without a second thought, I quickly chimed in, trying to sound confident. "I'm right here."
The bouncers and the men turned to look at me, their faces filled with shock and relief.
"Ah, thank goodness," one of the men exclaimed. "Let her in, let her in."
The bouncers stepped aside, and the men gestured for me to enter. I followed the men into the club. The music was so loud that it could literally shut off my ears and the dim lights made it impossible to see clearly.
I felt disorientated, like I was being pulled into a different world. The air had the smell of smoke and strong perfumes, which just tells the caliber of people in the room.
I tried to keep up with the men, but they moved quickly, weaving through the crowd with ease. I stumbled after them, my heart pounding in my chest. And then, just as I thought I was going to lose them, we stopped in front of a door. The men turned to me, their faces serious, as one of them announced. "The boss is waiting for you.'"
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