New Family

When I blinked my eyes open, I was staring at a white ceiling. 

Hospital. I was in the hospital. 

Who brought me here? Skylar? I sat up as soon as I had that thought, looking around, my chest tightening when I saw nothing but just my bags waiting for me. There was no one waiting for me to wake up. No one is at my bedside asking me how I am. I was all alone. 

I drew my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them and pressing my face in between. I sobbed quietly, wishing it would lessen the pain in my chest, but it didn't. The pain only grew worse when I thought about what I've lost: my husband and my child. 

Why do these things keep happening to me?

I wiped my eyes and stood up, picking up my phone. I stared down at her number, my heart in my throat. My mother was the only person I could think of calling right now. We barely spoke since I got married, and we haven't seen each other since then. 

I dialed her number, holding my breath. She picked up after a while. “Well, look who it is. The married woman who forgot–”

“I’m no longer married, Mom,” I said quickly, and she stopped. It was silent on her end.

“Lost another one and the bastard decided he’s had enough?” she asked, and I closed my eyes as I felt the pain in my chest again. I pushed the lump down my throat, not wanting to deal with that matter. 

“I want to come home, Mom. I have no money, and nowhere else to go.”

“Hmm,” was all she said before she fell into another silence. And then, “Home is different though.”

I blinked at the phone. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“I remarried.”

A ringing went off in my ears, and I blinked rapidly as if it would help me understand better. “Y-you remarried?”

“Yes. Did you expect me to stay alone after my only child left me?”

“But–”

“And I sold the house.”

I suddenly became dizzy and had to grab something to stay standing. “You sold the house,” I repeated in a whisper, my eyes burning when I thought of all the memories of my father gone. “How could you?”

“Because I had to move.”

She didn't sound guilty or remorseful. She didn't sound like she cared: she sounded like I was bothering her. I  had hoped I could get a bit of love and sympathy from my mother. I thought she would at least ask how I was doing, but she just sounded irritated. 

“I need some money,” I said as I wiped my eyes, and she scoffed. 

“Kaidora, you’re twenty-six years old. You can’t always expect me to rescue you.”

When have you ever rescued me, though? The reason I got married was to rescue us. 

“Please, mom,” I begged in a whisper, choosing to swallow those words. “I have… I have nothing. Nowhere to go.”

“Hmm. You can always come here. The mansion is enormous, and there are enough rooms that you won't get in my way.”

“You… you want me to come live with your new family?”

“That’s what I just said, Kiadora.”

I shook my head even though she couldn't see me. “No. Just give me some money, and I'll sort myself.”

“Hmm.” This time, her silence was long and heated. “Okay then.” I released a breath. “But… you’ll have to come take it yourself.”

My hand clenched around the phone. “Why do you want me there so bad?”

“Because I want my new family to meet you. That’s all.”

It was never that easy with my mother. I knew she had some ulterior motives, but I was desperate and had no choice. “Okay.”

“Good girl. I’ll send you the address.”

She ended the call, and I stared at the address she sent to me.

~.~

When I got to the house, someone was there to meet me. A man who looked to be in his sixties, well-dressed and polished. 

“You must be Miss Kaidora?” he asked.

“I am,” I answered, trying not to stare with my mouth open at the enormous mansion. It looked like a castle. 

“Right this way, ma’am.”

He took my bags from me and led me into the house. I looked around as we went deeper into the mansion, and into a room where my mother was seated. I paused at the door when I saw her. She looked well-dressed and perfect, like she always is. Everything in place. She raised her head from a book and looked at me, her eyes trailing from my head to toe. She tsked and returned her eyes to her book.

“You look rough. I heard you’ve gained a bit of weight, but this is more than a bit.”

And that was it. No questions about how I was doing. No welcome. Nothing. I refused to let the hurt linger and walked towards her, taking the seat opposite her. 

“You can at least ask how I am,” I muttered, and she looked at me, closing her book and uncrossing her legs. 

“I don't need to. You’re miserable. It’s evident on your face.”

I bite my lips, refusing to say what I want to. She pointed with her chin to a bag resting beside her legs. “Cash.” I stared at it before I stared at her. “Now. Dinner with the men, but first…” She stood up. “You’ll have to change out of that sorry dress. You have to look presentable.”

“Presentable? Why?”

She was already walking away. “You’ll see.”

~.~

My mother dressed me in a dress that was too revealing. 

“I-i can’t wear this.” I tried to cover my chest with my arms, but she just swatted it away, tsking. 

“I see nothing wrong with the dress.”

“Everything is wrong with it!”

I was exposed with nothing to hide behind. My folds were on display, my stretch marks bare for everyone to see. The curve of my stomach stood out, and just staring at it made my cheeks heat in embarrassment. 

“Please, mom,” I pleaded, closing my eyes when I felt them sting. “I can't… I can't wear this.”

She said nothing, but I felt her watching me. Finally, she said, “Fine,” and I released a breath.

I changed into a more decent, loose gown, but my shoulders were still bare. I could deal with that. My mother circled me slowly, pulled my shoulders back, then stepped back, evaluating, as if she were inspecting merchandise. 

She held my shoulders, smiling as she arranged my hair. “You’re still my daughter.” I didn't like this. Not one bit. “Come on. Let’s go meet your family.”

We left the room, but just as we were coming out, I bumped into someone. 

“Oh! I’m sorry,” I said, looking up until my eyes landed on narrowed, blue eyes. The kind that looked at me like I was an inconvenience. My breath hitched, and I couldn't look away, because he was the most beautiful man I've ever seen.