Chapter 43 Takas

<Mia>

"You better be prepared, you know something about this! And what are you hiding, useless sister of yours?!" He looked at Ate.

I'm crying hard in front of him.

"If you don't want to break up with your lesbian lover, then I'll be the one to separate you two! I already told your spouse, and it seems like he believed your lies too!... You're really good at lying!" He kept berating me.

He is showing no mercy.

Ethan, where are you?

He should be here by now, he should be looking for me because if I disappear from his sight for a moment, he starts going crazy looking for me.

I'm crying even harder as I realize that we just had a fight earlier, and it's all because of me. I hurt the man who endlessly supports me even when I'm always wrong.

Maybe I haven't done anything right.

"Dad! Please don't hurt Mia!" Ate pleaded.

"Shut up! You're just the same!"

"Damn it! From now on, you won't see your lesbian lover anymore! I'll send you to another country! Just try doing anything stupid there, and I'll really kill you!"

"We're already breaking up," I struggled to say amidst my sobs.

"Do you think I'll believe whatever you say?!" He shouted at me.

"Come!" He pulled me.

"Pops! Where are you taking her?!" Ate was alarmed when Pops suddenly dragged me.

"Let's see if you won't behave until I fix your papers to go abroad!" He forcefully pulled me into a room.

He held me tightly, and it felt like he could break my bones.

Ethan, where are you? I'd rather be with him. Even if he locks me in a room, he doesn't raise his hand against me.

He pushed me into the room.

"You won't come out of here until I sort out your papers to go abroad!" He pushed me inside.

"You," he turned to my sister, "don't let me find out that you're helping this girl, or you'll get it from me too," he threatened her, pointing a finger at me.

"Pops, please don't do this to Mia, let her spouse handle it, and don't meddle in her life!"

"Shut up! You're just my child, so you have no say in my decisions!"

They were still by the door, and I could clearly hear their argument.

I was on the floor, crying. I had no strength left; the events were racing through my mind too fast.

"Mia is already married, so leave her alone!" Ate shouted at Pops.

"Shut up!"

I gasped when I felt a powerful slap. I cried even harder, and my sister got caught up in my misery.

It's so hard to be true to oneself.

I want to get away from all of them.

I may have everything material, but I lack understanding and support.

"From now on, no one will open this room! If anyone tries to open it, you know what will happen!" Pops threatened the household staff.

"Yes, sir!" Their voices were trembling.

I couldn't feel Ate pleading anymore.

I forced myself to crawl and lean against the door. I cried quietly, hugging my knees.

The room was dark, just as dark as my life is right now. I can't see anything, not even a glimmer of light.

I'm tired of hoping that one day they'll accept me, that someone will accept me.

I'm exhausted. I feel suffocated, I want to be free, to breathe from all of this. I want to get away and forget them all. They are my family, but they're also the ones causing me pain.

They are not healthy for me.

I can't breathe anymore. It's like my heart is being strangled.

I don't know who is at fault between us. Is it me, wanting to do what makes me happy and be free, or my parents, wanting me to follow their desires for me?

I just cried in my dark room and didn't move from my spot. I don't know how many hours I've been waiting for Ethan to come and take me away from here.

The people who used to support me lost their trust in me because of what I did, because of something that made me happy. A happiness that is forbidden and wrong in the eyes of others.

I just want to die. I haven't been happy in my life, it's hard to stay strong when I'm completely broken inside. I give up! I'm so fed up with everything.

I cried even harder.

I feel hopeless, there’s no single light that’s flashing on me.

I woke up and found myself still in the same spot. I didn't have the energy to stand up and just laid on my bed. I lifelessly looked at my room. The last time I entered my room was when Ethan and I came here to the house to receive a gift from them.

A bitter smile crossed my face.

In just three days, it will be our 3rd wedding anniversary.

They removed all my belongings here, even my big TV is gone, along with my bedside table and stuffed toys.

My room now looks so plain, unlike before. I can't call anyone because Ethan took my cellphone when we had our argument, and he still hasn't returned it.

I glanced at the closed window, blocked by thick curtains. How can I escape from this situation? I need to figure out a way. Once I manage to leave this place, they won't be able to find me again.

The anger inside me intensifies even more for all of them.

I don't want to go to another place and live there. I know that even there, they'll still control my life. I need to get away from all of them.

I don't know how many hours have passed as I continue to contemplate. I still haven't moved from my spot. I have no life left in me, just staring at the ceiling while thinking about various things.

Should I just end my life now? It's funny; maybe they'll be happier because they won't have someone like me causing them headaches anymore. I wish I hadn't ended up with them, if only I could choose my family. I'd never choose them, never! Not even in my second life. I wish there was no second life because I don't want to experience all the pain and hardships again. I don't want to live again if all I'll experience is pain.

I tried to turn on the television, but they also cut its signal. I looked for my belongings, but all I found were my clothes. They even took away my trinkets. It seems like Pops planned and prepared for this. I looked at the windows, and they were locked with padlocks. I glanced outside; it's already afternoon. I've been locked in this room for a whole day.

Is Ethan looking for me?

I remained standing by my window, staring at the sunset. It gives me tranquility and calmness. I really want to keep looking at the sun because it's bright and makes me feel rejuvenated. I don't want to feel any more sadness in my life.

Lorena said I should be grateful for my life, but how can I? I'm struggling because everything seems to be wrong, bad, painful, and full of suffering in my life. I can't even remember the last time I was truly happy.

Ethan, where are you? Are you really angry and not looking for me?

I leaned against the wall, looking at the sun.

He's no different from Pops; he also locks me in the room, but he calls and checks on me. He doesn't let me go hungry; Rose always brings food to my room even when I'm rude to her. That doesn't scare me because she says her boss will get mad at her if I don't eat the food she brings.

I've been locked up for a day, but it's fine; I don't want to eat either. I just want to die.

If I could donate my life, I would have done it a long time ago to avoid more suffering. I don't want to suffer anymore. I want to rest. Maybe I can find peace in eternal rest.

I woke up again, and it's already nighttime. I don't know what time it is. There's no clock in here.

I'm thirsty, but there's no clean water except in the bathroom.

I looked at the door. It seems Pops meant what he said about not opening the door until he says so.

Maybe he locked me in here to slowly kill me.

This has been my cycle inside the room, and I don't know what day it is or how many days I've been here. I have no idea what's happening outside.

This must be what it feels like to be a prisoner; it's driving me crazy. It's so tempting to end my life. I feel like I've killed myself already with what they're doing to me.

I've been locked up for who knows how long, and I can't get out of my room. I'm trapped and suffocating. I want to escape, to be free from all of this. I can't take it anymore. I'm so done with everything.

I smiled and shook my head.

I paused in arranging my clothes when I heard the door open.

Is it Ethan? Is he not angry with me anymore?

I didn't move until the door opened slowly.

Tears welled up in my eyes when I saw who was there.

"Shhh," they gestured for me to be quiet, and I looked at the tray they were holding, filled with food.

I felt weak as I stood up to approach them.

"Be quiet," my sister whispered to me.

Mom locked the door.

I'm not alone anymore. I won't be afraid in this room anymore.

"Sweetie, how are you doing here? I'm sorry it took me so long to visit you. Your father is very strict, he might catch us," Mom explained to me.

My sister gently guided me to sit on the bed, "Eat first, you're getting thin," she said, holding my hand with tears in her eyes. It's like we haven't seen each other in five years.

Mom couldn't hold back her tears either. It feels like we haven't seen each other in a long time.

"We have something to tell you," my sister whispered to me.

She helped me eat.

"Mia, if you want to live, leave Yunnie," my sister pleaded with me.

"I've already left her," I replied, my voice breaking.

"Truth is, Mia, Dad is arranging your papers, and in three days, you'll be flying to another country, and we won't see you again," my sister explained to me. It seems she's finally fulfilling what she told me long ago that she'll take me to another country if I don't straighten up.

"Child, leave Yunnie if you still have any compassion left. Dad involved her family. He had her parents and siblings fired from their jobs. Now, they're struggling to find work. He even sued Yunnie, and she's in jail right now. If you truly love her, you'll do what's best for both of you."

It felt like a storm had swallowed me. I couldn't speak.

"Zoey, listen to us. You're only thinking about your well-being. You have no future with that woman. You're an architect, you finished your studies. You have a good life, and don't let that woman ruin what you have."