CAUGHT BETWEEN THE MIKEALSONS

CHAPTER SEVEN

LIYAH’S POV

I didn’t sleep much that night.

The small travel bag was still under my bed, and every time I looked at it, I felt guilty.

I wasn’t sure if I was really going to leave.

But deep down, I knew I couldn’t stay.

The next morning, I woke up before my mother.

I got dressed quietly and went into the kitchen.

She was already there.

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

Then she looked at me.

“Did you sleep?”

“A little.”

She nodded.

I could tell she had been crying.

“Mom…”

She quickly wiped her face.

“I’m fine.”

I didn’t believe her.

I wanted to tell her that I wasn’t angry with her. At least, not completely.

I knew she was scared.

But I also knew that if I stayed, she might eventually convince me to sacrifice my whole life for the debt.

“I need to go out today,” I said.

“Where?”

“Just somewhere.”

She looked at me suspiciously.

“With Daniel?”

I shook my head.

“No.”

She didn’t say anything else.

I ate quietly and left the house.

I walked around the neighborhood without really knowing where I was going.

Everything looked familiar.

The little bakery.

The old buildings.

The corner where Daniel and I used to sit.

It suddenly hit me that I might not see any of these places again.

I stopped walking.

What am I doing?

I was scared.

But the thought of marrying a stranger scared me more.

I took out my phone.

Daniel had sent me a message.

Have you spoken to your mother?

I stared at it.

I typed a reply.

Yes.

I almost told him what I was thinking.

Instead, I wrote:

Everything is okay.

I felt guilty immediately after sending it.

It wasn’t okay.

Not even close.

When I returned home, my mother was sitting at the table.

There was another envelope in front of her.

She looked up when I entered.

“Where were you?”

“Just walking.”

She nodded.

“I need to tell you something.”

My stomach tightened.

“What?”

“The man wants to meet you.”

I froze.

“Meet me?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Liyah, just meet him.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You don’t have to agree to anything. Just meet him.”

I shook my head.

“Why should I meet someone I already know I don’t want to marry?”

She looked exhausted.

“Because maybe after you speak to him, things won’t seem as bad.”

I stared at her.

“You’re asking me to fall in love with a stranger?”

“No.”

“Then what?”

She looked away.

“I don’t know.”

I walked to my room.

I closed the door and sat on my bed.

The travel bag was still underneath it.

I pulled it out.

This time, I opened it.

I didn’t know exactly what to take.

A few clothes.

Some money I had saved.

My documents.

My phone charger.

I packed everything slowly.

My hands were shaking.

Every time I heard a sound outside my room, I stopped.

I wasn’t ready to leave yet.

I just wanted to be prepared.

Then I heard my mother knock.

I quickly pushed the bag under my bed.

“Liyah?”

“Yes?”

“Can I come in?”

I wiped my face.

“Yes.”

She opened the door.

She looked at me for a moment.

“I know you’re angry with me.”

“I’m not angry.”

“You are.”

I didn’t answer.

She sat beside me.

“I wish your father was here.”

I looked at her.

“I know.”

“If he was alive, he would never let this happen to you.”

Tears filled my eyes.

“Then why are you letting it happen?”

She looked down.

“Because I’m scared.”

Her voice broke.

“I don’t want to lose you too.”

I hugged her.

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.

It was the first time we had held each other like that since everything started.

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too.”

She pulled away and wiped her tears.

“Please think about what I’m asking you.”

I nodded.

“I will.”

She left.

I waited until I heard her bedroom door close.

Then I pulled the bag out again.

I looked at it for a long time.

I knew what I had to do.

But I wasn’t going to tell my mother.

I wasn’t going to tell Daniel.

Not yet.

That night, I stayed awake until everyone was asleep.

I checked my phone one last time.

Daniel had sent me a message.

I love you. Don’t forget that.

I stared at the screen with tears in my eyes.

“I love you too,” I whispered.

Then I put the phone down.

I looked at the packed bag beside me.

Tomorrow, everything would change.