I AM GOING TO RUN AWAY!

"Please, don't blame me for what I'm about to tell you," my mother pleaded. "I tried to stop it from happening, but I couldn't." We both sat down to listen to what she had to say.

My heart was racing as I waited for her to continue. "What are you talking about?" I demanded. "Just tell me what's going on!"

"Your father..." she said, trailing off as her voice broke. I could tell that whatever it was, it was bad. Really bad.

My mother took a deep sigh and cleaned her tears before saying “I…knew it was Mr Carter who kidnapped your father.”

I felt my heart sink. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Are you saying that you knew Mr. Carter was behind father's disappearance, and you didn't do anything to stop him?" I asked, my voice cracking with emotion.

My mother's eyes filled with tears. "I did what I thought was best," she said, but even she sounded unconvinced. "I know it was wrong, but I was scared. I'm so sorry, Althea. I never meant to hurt you."

I sat in stunned silence, my mind reeling. How could my mother have known about Mr. Carter's involvement and done nothing? How could she have kept this from me for a week? I couldn't believe it. I couldn't even form words.

“You knew and you never told me? You never did anything?” I asked in utter disbelief, my eyes solemn and downward.

"I've tried everything, Althea," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "I've begged and pleaded with Mr. Carter, but he won't listen. He knows the secret and he's using it to control me."

I stared at my mother, feeling shocked and confused. "What secret? What could he possibly know that gives him so much power over you?" I asked, my mind racing.

My mother looked at me, her eyes full of pain. "I can't tell you," she said, her voice cracking. "I'm sorry, but it's not my secret to tell. I wish I could tell you, but I just can't. It will be too much for you to bear.”

“What is the secret, mother?” I persisted further.

"I can't tell you, Althea. Even if you use Bella as a threat on me, I still won't tell you. It's a secret that no one must know.” My mother disclosed bitterly.

"But you have to understand how hard this is for me," I said, my voice breaking. "I feel like you've betrayed me. I feel like you've chosen Mr. Carter over me and our family. How could you do that?"

My mother's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm so sorry, Althea," she said, her voice barely audible. "I know this is hard for you, but I promise you, I didn't choose him over you.

"So let me make sure I understand this correctly," I said, trying to process everything I'd just heard. "Dad was kidnapped by Mr. Carter, and you know a secret that Mr. Carter is using to control you. And now you're saying that I have to marry Adam, and that I can't tell Bella the truth?"

My mother nodded, her expression pained. "That's right," she said quietly. "I know it's a lot to take in.”

I felt like the world was spinning around me, and I struggled to make sense of everything. "I can't believe this is happening," I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "How did we get here? How did all of this happen?" resting my back on the sofa while looking at the ceiling

My mother let out a long sigh. "It's a long story, and I'm not sure where to start," she said. "When this is all over, I promise I will explain it to you.”

"Mother, I just can't imagine myself getting married to someone I don't know," I said, looking directly into her eyes. "I barely know anything about Adam, and I don't think I'd be able to marry someone I don't know or trust. It just doesn't feel right. While he was still at home before leaving, he was never really outspoken and even when he did speak, his tone was not very inviting"

"I understand," my mother said, her expression softening by placing her hands on mine. "But please, try to think of the bigger picture. Your father's life is at stake, and this might be the only way to save him."

I couldn't help but think of my father and the thought of him being held captive, possibly in pain, was too much to bear. "What about Bella?" I asked, my voice breaking. "How can I keep this from her? It's not fair to her."

My mother's eyes welled up with tears. "I know it's not fair," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "But I don't know what else to do. I don't want to lie to her, but I don't want to put her in any danger. I just want to keep her safe."

A silence fell between us, and I could feel the tension in the air. After a few moments, I spoke, my voice shaking slightly. "What about Timothy and I?" I asked my mother, my heart racing.

My mother hesitated, and I could see the conflict in her eyes. "I'm afraid you'll have to end your relationship with him," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so sorry, but it's for the best."

My heart sank as I heard her words, and I felt a surge of anger and disbelief. I flung my hands off hers as I stood up about to protest.

"No, absolutely not!" I said, my voice firm and resolute. "I've been with Timothy for six years, and I'm not going to give up on our relationship for a man I've never met. That's just not an option. I can't let my father's safety come at the cost of my happiness."

My mother looked at me with a mixture of frustration and worry. "I know this is difficult for you, but we have to do whatever it takes to save your father," she said, her voice pleading. "Please, consider what I'm asking. Can't you just put an end to your relationship with him?”

"Mom, you're not listening to me," I said, my voice starting to shake with emotion. "You're asking me to give up on the person I love, the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. That's not something I can just do on a whim. It's not that simple. And to be honest, I'm really hurt that you're even suggesting it. You're asking me to give up on my dreams and my future, and I can't do that!"

My mother looked at me, her expression softening. "I understand how much you love Timothy," she said, reaching out to touch my arm. "And I understand how difficult this is for you. But please, try to see it from my perspective. I'm your mother, and I only want what's best for you. I'm only trying to protect you."

Her words struck a chord in my heart, and I felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over me. "I know you're just trying to look out for me," I said, my voice cracking. "But I can't help but feel like you're asking me to give up on everything that I have built together with him for so long.”

“It has been six years of you dating Timothy. Six with no proposal? No engagement? No marriage? Don't you feel bothered about it? Aren't you ashamed? ” My mother asked, standing up to face me.

"Mom, this is my relationship, and it's my decision to make," I said, my voice firm. "I know you're just trying to help, but I can't let you dictate my future. And I can't marry Adam - I'm in love with someone else. I'm sorry if that disappoints you, but it's the truth."

My mother looked at me, her eyes welling up with tears. "I just want you to be happy," she said, her voice breaking. "And I want you to be safe. I'm sorry if I've upset you, but I had to be honest with you. I don't want you to marry someone you don't love but you know that there's no other way. I'll always love and support you, no matter what. Please know that."

I felt a knot in my stomach, and tears started to well up in my own eyes. "I know you love me," I said, my voice catching in my throat. "I love you too. But this is my life, and I need to make my own choices. I'm sorry if that's hard for you, but it's the truth." I said as I took my leave, heading for my room.

"Althea, please don't walk away," my mother called after me, her voice full of desperation. "Please, come back and let's talk about this."

But I couldn't bring myself to turn around. I just kept walking, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached for the staircase, I heard my mother's voice again, softer this time. "Please don't leave like this," she said. "We can work this out together. Please."

“Please sort things out with Mr Carter if you know what's best for you. I cannot get married to Adam." I said to my mother on the staircase not turning to face her as I eventually left.

I arrived at my room door and paused, my hand on the doorknob. I knew I should turn around and talk to my mother, but I was too upset and confused. I just wanted to get away from it all. I opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind me with a quiet click. I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, and I proceeded to sit on the mini chairs in my room.. I knew I needed some time to process everything that had happened.

I ran my hands through my hair, frustrated and overwhelmed. "What does she even mean by six years with no engagement?" I muttered to myself. "Does she think I have to be engaged before my relationship with Timothy is considered serious?"

I stood up, my head spinning with thoughts. I went and sat on my bed, picking up my phone and scrolling through my contacts. I found the number I was looking for and hit the call button. As the phone rang, I wondered what I would say when they answered.

The phone rang three times before it was answered. "Hello?" a voice said on the other end of the line.

"Kathryn, it's me," I said, my voice trembling.

"Hi! It's so good to hear from you," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "How are you doing?"

"Not well, actually," I said, taking a deep breath. "I'm having a bit of a crisis."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that," she said, sounding genuinely concerned.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" she asked, her voice gentle and compassionate. I felt a wave of gratitude for her support.

I took another deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "It's a long story," I said, feeling a lump forming in my throat. "But I'll try to explain as best I can."

"Take your time," she said, her tone reassuring. "I'm here to listen, no matter how long it takes."

I swallowed hard, gathering my thoughts. "It all started an hour ago..." I began.

"We were all sitting down in the living room when Mr Carter came in through the door, we thought he had brought some news concerning my father's kidnap," I continued, my voice beginning to shake again. "We welcomed him but he was cold to us. Along the lines of our discussion, he told me to get married to his son if I wanted my father to be released. To cut this whole tale short, my mother wants me to get married to Adam. My father has been kidnapped by Mr Carter and I have to end things with Timothy.”

"What?!" Kathryn exclaimed, her voice full of shock and disbelief. "How come I had no idea about any of this? I feel like I've been left in the dark."

"We didn't want to worry you or distract you from your studies," I explained. "I know it's a lot to take in, but that's what happened."

"But...but Adam! Isn't he supposed to be dead?" Kathryn stammered, her voice rising in pitch. "No one's heard from him in years. What is going on?"

"See, that's exactly what I said," I told her. "But Mr. Carter and my mother are insisting that I marry him. I have no idea what to do."

"Wow, that's just...wow," Kathryn said, clearly at a loss for words. "This is so out of left field, I can't even process it. What do you want to do?"

I hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "I don't know," I admitted. "On the one hand, I don't want to marry someone I don't love. But on the other hand, I don't want my dad to be hurt. I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place."

"It's such a tough situation," Kathryn said, her voice full of empathy. "I'm so sorry you're going through this. Have you considered talking to Mr. Carter and telling him how you feel?"

I shook my head. "I don't think that would do any good," I said. "He's very stubborn, and he doesn't seem to care about my feelings. I'm not sure what to do."

"That sounds really difficult," Kathryn said, her voice full of understanding.

“I wish you were here.” I said with my voice breaking away.

“Just because I am in London doesn't mean that I'm not there with you.” Kathryn spoke.

"Kathryn," I said, my voice breaking. "I'm not going to marry Adam. I just can't do it."

"But what are you going to do?" she asked, sounding concerned.

"I'm going to run away," I said, a plan starting to form in my mind. "I can't live like this, trapped by Mr. Carter's threats. I have to get out of here."

"What about your dad?" she asked, a note of worry in her voice. "And what about Timothy? If you run away, you'll be leaving behind everything and everyone you know."

I took a deep breath, knowing what I was about to say would shock her. "I know," I said, my heart racing. "But I can't stay here, knowing what Mr. Carter is doing to my dad. I have to get away from him.

"But what if you get caught?" she asked, her voice trembling. "You could get hurt, or worse. Are you sure this is what you want to do?"