Chapter 9
830 Words
“Mom,” Anna called softly as she walked toward Matilda, who was still sitting alone on a garden bench.
“Come here, sit with me,” Matilda said gently, patting the empty space beside her.
Anna obeyed, but her unease was obvious. Her fingers twisted together in her lap, her breathing shallow. Matilda noticed immediately.
“What is it?” Matilda asked, turning to her with a look of quiet concern.
Anna took a deep breath. “I… I think I need to leave this house.” Her voice trembled despite her effort to steady it. “I’ve found an apartment. It’s not far from here.”
Matilda’s body stiffened at once. Slowly, she turned to Anna, staring at her as if she needed to hear the words again to believe them.
“Didn’t you say just yesterday that you wanted to stay?” Matilda asked softly.
Anna lowered her gaze. “I just feel like I don’t deserve to burden you and Jonathan. You’ve been too good to me.” She looked up again, forcing a weak smile. “But I promise I’ll visit often.”
Suddenly, Matilda raised a hand to her temple. Her face tightened, as if pain had struck out of nowhere. In truth, it was nothing more than an act—her last attempt to keep Anna from leaving.
“Mom?” Anna stood up in alarm when she saw her expression. “Are you okay?”
“I… I’m fine,” Matilda replied, though her strained face told a different story. She rose unsteadily to her feet. “If that’s your decision, then do as you wish.”
She walked away, leaving Anna behind without another glance.
“Mom!” Guilt crashed over Anna as she rushed after her. “Let me help you to your room.”
Without arguing, Matilda allowed Anna to support her. Once they reached the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, Anna quickly poured a glass of water.
“Drink this first,” she said gently. “Have you taken your medicine yet?”
Matilda shook her head.
Anna hurried to get the medicine and handed it to her. “Please take it, Mom.”
“I told you there’s no need to worry about me,” Matilda snapped, her voice tinged with disappointment. “I’m fine.”
Anna bit her lip. The guilt pressed heavier against her chest. “Don’t be like that… I’m sorry, Mom,” she murmured. “I won’t leave this house.”
Those words changed everything.
Matilda’s gloomy expression instantly brightened.
“Really?” she asked, her eyes lighting up.
Anna nodded firmly.
Matilda immediately pulled her into a tight embrace, as if she were afraid Anna might disappear at any moment. “I truly care about you, Anna,” she said, her voice trembling. “I think of you as my own child.”
Anna’s heart softened completely. Growing up, she had never truly known parental affection. That was why, from the very beginning, she had so easily agreed to stay here—Matilda and Jonathan treated her with a sincerity she had never experienced before.
“Thank you, Mom,” Anna said sincerely, returning the hug.
“Oh, by the way,” Matilda added casually, as if the topic were insignificant, “there’s a Volkov family party tonight. Go with Liam.”
Anna turned toward her in surprise. “Mom?” Her voice wavered, caught between shock and hesitation. “But—”
“You’re new to this city,” Matilda cut in calmly but firmly. “You don’t know anyone yet. Liam can introduce you to his friends.”
Anna faltered. She wanted to refuse, desperately searched for a reason—any excuse—but her mind went blank. Every word she had prepared slipped away.
“I…” Anna took a breath. “I can’t, Mom.”
Matilda turned to her then. Her gaze was deep and cold, though a faint smile still lingered on her lips. “Don’t refuse me, Anna.”
Her voice wasn’t raised, yet the pressure behind it was unmistakable.
“Once you get to know Liam, you’ll realize he’s a good person,” Matilda said gently, as though soothing a frightened child. “There’s no need to be afraid of him.”
Anna lowered her head. Her chest felt tight. She knew that in this unfamiliar city, she truly was alone. There was no one she could use as an excuse, no one to hide behind.
And more than that—she had just promised she wouldn’t leave or disappoint Matilda again.
“…All right, Mom,” Anna finally said in a small voice.
Matilda’s smile widened, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. To her, another step had been successfully secured.
As for Anna, without realizing it, she had stepped deeper into a world she didn’t yet understand—one she might not be able to escape so easily.
- Writer
