Semua Bab My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian : Bab 411 - Bab 420

Nadia"I can't do this anymore, Edran." Mama's words cut through the air, sharp as broken glass.Nobody said anything for a moment. Then Mama zipped the bag shut, picked it up off the bed, and walked past both of us, out of the bedroom. I fell into step behind her, and Father followed a beat later, close enough that I could hear his footsteps on the stairs behind mine. In the kitchen, Mama set the bag down by the door without a word and turned back to face us, Father standing near the table again like he'd never left it at all.I took a stumbling step forward, between them. My hands shook as I held them out, palms up, like I could catch the shards and make the pieces whole again. I opened my mouth to speak, but the words tangled in my throat. I tried again."Please, can we all sit down, talk about this like a family? There's no need for any of us to fight like this." My voice sounded thin and fragile, even to my own ears.Mama whirled on me. "Nadia!" Her tone was a knife's edge.I swa

NadiaA long, vertical callus ran up my palm, the skin raised and thickened from holding a pen for hours on end. I stared at it, tracing the lines with my thumb, marveling at the way the crescent moon of my cuticle had grown out to meet it. It was an old habit, this fixation on minute details, and not the first time I'd lost myself in it. Mama called it distraction, Daddy called it a coping mechanism. I called it my sanity."You should have gone with them," he said.I glanced up reflexively, the sound of his voice cracking the spell. He stood as he ever did, rigid and straight, his hands clasped loosely in front of him. A thin line of blood had dried at the corner of his mouth. He didn't seem to notice it was still there.I sighed and turned to face him fully, taking in the haggard lines on his face, the tightness in his shoulders. He fell silent under my gaze, his eyes betraying none of what swirled beneath that impassive surface. I knew better than to take his lack of reaction for i

NadiaWhy do I always have to be the target of your anger? Why can't you just tell me what's really going on instead of guilting me? But I kept those thoughts locked down tight, saying nothing."I... it's fine," I finally said, hearing the exhaustion in my own voice.Lyra went quiet for a long moment. "Thank you," she said softly.I sighed and rubbed my eyes. "You're welcome." The words felt strange on my tongue, forced.There was another long pause before Lyra spoke again. "Will I see you soon?"I nodded, as if she could see me. "I'll come by before work tomorrow morning.""Okay..."We hung in the silence a moment longer, neither of us sure how to close this call. Finally, Lyra took a breath. "Goodnight, cupcake," she said, her voice tender. "I love you."Something about it felt off, and for a moment I couldn't quite place why. I was quiet a beat too long before responding. "I love you too."It was the truth, no matter how bad things had gotten in my own family. I couldn't imagine no

NadiaMama rushed to Father's side, shoving past the nurses and doctors in her way. Their voices faded, replaced by the sound of my mother's weeping. Two female nurses tried to restrain her, but Mama fought them, tearing at the sheet draped over Father's still body."Let me go!" she screamed, pulling with all her might. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry!"A nurse, tall with curly brown hair, tried to grip Mama's arms. "Please, ma'am," she said firmly. "You can't disturb the body."Mama didn't seem to hear her. She kept pulling, kept crying, that terrible, rending wail pouring out of her. I could barely comprehend the words. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I should have stayed, I should have stayed."The sheet finally gave way, sliding from Father's body to the floor. Mama collapsed on top of him, her arms around his lifeless frame. She pressed her face to his chest, her thin shoulders heaving. "I'm so sorry, I should have stayed," she sobbed.I watched, unmoving.Mama's cries left me cold. A

LyraI woke abruptly, like I had been startled from a dream, but couldn't remember dreaming at all. Morning light streamed through the gaps in my curtains, painting the room in pale, diffused color. A soft knock came at the door."Princess?" Sela's voice called in. "Breakfast."I groaned and pushed myself up. "Entrez."The heavy door swung open and Sela slipped inside, a silver tray balanced on one hand. She was one of the few people allowed to enter my quarters unannounced, and for that, I was grateful. It's a small thing, but small things matter when you're stuck in this godforsaken palace."Morning, Sela," I said, dragging the covers off and planting my feet on the floor.Sela set the tray down on the small table by the window. "Morning, Princess. Tea?""Please."She nodded, pouring a steaming cup. I took it from her, wrapping my hands around the warm ceramic. The scent of bergamot and lemon filled the air, familiar and comforting. I took a sip, letting the heat soak into my bones.