6. Isabella Viana

Marina’s house had always been my safe haven. Since I moved in after that terrible night—the night I was thrown out—it had become my anchor. Marina was more than a cousin; she was the sister I never had. And today, more than ever, I needed her.

“Isa, are you okay?” Marina asked, setting a cup of tea in front of me. The scent of chamomile was comforting, but not even that could calm my restless mind.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, wrapping both hands around the cup. “I think I feel… guilty.”

Marina sat down beside me on the couch, her eyes full of concern.

“Guilty for what? You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I left her there, Marina. I left my mom alone with him. How can I just walk away and pretend everything’s fine?”

“Isa, you didn’t leave her. You were thrown out. And you did everything you could to help her. How many times did you try to convince her to leave? How many times did you call the police, beg, cry?”

I looked down at the floor, feeling tears burn in my eyes. Marina was right—but that didn’t make it any easier. I had fought for so many years, and now, once again, I was about to give up a dream because of my mother’s choices.

“I know, but… what if he hurts her again? What if something happens and I’m not there to protect her?”

“Isa, you can’t carry the world on your shoulders,” Marina said, placing a hand over mine. “Your mom is an adult, and she makes her own decisions. As painful as it is, you can’t make them for her.”

I knew she was right, but accepting it was another story. My mother had always been my responsibility, ever since I was a child. Taking care of her, protecting her, trying to keep her safe. And now I was leaving, and the thought of walking away felt almost unbearable.

“What if I try one more time?” I whispered. “Maybe if I talk to her again, she’ll understand…”

“Isa, you’ve already tried. How many more times are you going to hurt yourself trying to save someone who doesn’t want to be saved?” Marina said, her voice firmer than I expected. “You deserve a chance to be happy. To live your life. Your mom knows that—even if she can’t admit it.”

The tears finally spilled over, sliding down my face. Marina pulled me into a hug, and I clung to her like she was the only thing keeping me standing.

“I just wish she were happy,” I said, my voice breaking.

“I know, sweetheart. I know. But her happiness isn’t your responsibility. And yours matters too.”

We stayed like that for a while, in silence, as I tried to pull myself together. Marina always knew what to say—even when I didn’t want to hear it. And deep down, I knew she was right. I couldn’t keep living trapped in this cycle of pain and guilt.

“And what about the au pair opportunity?” Marina asked, pulling back slightly to look at me. “Do you still want to go?”

“I… I don’t know. I’m scared, Marina. Scared of leaving everything behind, of it not working out, of—”

“Of being happy?” she finished, with a sad smile. “Isa, you deserve this. You’ve worked so hard, studied, taken care of your mom… now it’s your turn. And if it doesn’t work out, you can always come back. But at least try.”

I looked at her, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. Maybe she was right. Maybe I did deserve a chance.

“What if I need help getting everything ready?” I asked hesitantly.

“Then I’ll help you,” Marina replied without hesitation. “We’ll do this together. Passports, paperwork, packing… whatever you need.”

I smiled for the first time that night, a flicker of hope rising inside me.

“Thank you, Marina. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’d probably sit there blaming yourself forever,” she teased, making me laugh. “Now come on, let’s start planning. You’ve got a trip to Spain to organize.”

As Marina grabbed her laptop and started looking up the necessary documents, I sat beside her, feeling some of the weight of guilt begin to fade.

Maybe I couldn’t save my mother… but I could save myself.

But before that, I needed to try one last time.

And I was going to do it now.