Chapter 16

Livia’s footsteps sounded light along the stone path.

As usual.

Steady.

Calm.

Almost soundless.

Perhaps because she had walked that distance too often—going back and forth on foot—until her body no longer complained. No longer felt tired like it used to.

Or perhaps…

she had simply grown used to enduring everything.

The afternoon breeze brushed gently against her face.

But that day felt different.

Strange.

Too quiet.

Not like usual.

As soon as she passed through the large gate of the house, her steps slowed slightly.

Her feeling… was uneasy.

As if something was waiting inside.

Something she could not avoid.

Yet Livia kept walking in.

The long corridor felt colder than usual.

More silent.

More… suffocating.

Without saying anything, she headed straight to the small room she shared with Rossa.

The door was slightly open.

Livia pushed it slowly.

And there, she saw Rossa.

Sitting on an old chair that was almost broken.

Her body was stiff.

Her gaze was empty.

As if her soul… was not truly there.

“Mother, I’m home.”

Livia’s voice was soft.

But there was no response.

Rossa did not move.

Did not turn.

Did not even blink.

Something was wrong.

Livia stepped closer.

“Mother, I’m home,” she repeated, this time more softly.

Her hand lifted.

Touching Rossa’s shoulder.

And at that moment—

Rossa jolted.

Her body trembled violently.

Her eyes immediately searched for Livia in panic.

“Mo—”

“Livia!” Rossa’s voice broke. “You can still leave.”

Her breathing was uneven.

Her hand immediately gripped her daughter’s arm tightly.

Too tightly.

“I will hold them back. You run through the side path. I already opened the door… quietly.”

Every word came out in a rush.

Rossa took out money from the pocket of her skirt, money she had prepared beforehand.

“Go quickly!” she said as she placed the money into Livia’s hand.

As if their time was running out.

As if every second could take away that chance.

Livia froze.

“Why, Mother?”

Her voice was soft.

But her eyes had begun to understand.

And she did not like the answer.

Rossa swallowed.

Her body trembled.

“They… have already delivered your wedding dress.”

The sentence felt like a blow.

“You have to wear it.”

Her breath faltered.

“Your wedding ceremony… is this afternoon.”

Silence.

So silent.

As if the world had stopped turning.

Livia did not move.

Did not speak.

Only stared at her mother.

A few seconds passed before she finally shook her head slowly.

“I will not leave.”

Rossa froze.

“Livia—”

“I will not run.”

Her voice remained calm.

But this time… there was something different.

More firm.

Stronger.

“But they—” Rossa’s voice broke. “You don’t know what they are like! You don’t know what they will do if you refuse!”

“I know.”

The answer came quickly.

Certain.

And somehow… it made Rossa even more afraid.

Livia gently released her mother’s grip.

Then held it again.

More softly.

“Mother,” she whispered, “it’s okay.”

“Okay?” Rossa’s voice was almost hysterical. “This is not something you can face alone!”

Livia smiled.

A small smile.

But… fragile.

“I will face everything.”

The sentence was simple.

Yet it felt like a promise.

Or perhaps… a decision that could no longer be changed.

“Mother, promise me… you will be okay.”

Rossa looked at her in disbelief.

Her tears fell uncontrollably.

“I don’t want you to live a life like mine, Livia…” her voice trembled violently. “I don’t want you to be… trapped in that hell… losing everything…”

Her hand tightened around Livia’s.

As if afraid of losing her.

“Go… while you still can.”

Livia shook her head.

Slowly.

But firmly.

“No, Mother.”

Her eyes looked deeply into her mother’s.

There was no hesitation left.

“Today… I will not run.”

She took a slow breath.

As if strengthening herself.

“I will walk into it.”

Her smile appeared again.

But this time… more bitter.

“And I will make sure… this is not the end of us.”

Rossa cried.

Silently.

Unable to stop.

Meanwhile, outside—

footsteps began to echo along the corridor.

Heavy.

Steady.

Getting closer.

Their time…

had truly run out.