Chapter 147 The Struggles

Chapter 147 The Struggles
Mariko's POV

The night air felt thick as I stood up from my kneeling position and sat next to Amber on the front steps. She was trembling, her breath shaky and uneven, her face buried in her hands. My heart twisted as I watched her, the devastation on her face a huge difference to the carefree woman I once knew.

“I was assaulted at a party, Mariko,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the impact was like a punch to the gut.

I froze for a second, not knowing how to respond at first. The night had taken a turn I wasn’t prepared for, but I knew I had to be strong for her. I had to keep it together, despite the emotions bubbling inside me.

“Amber…” I murmured, scooting closer to her. “I’m so sorry.”

She didn’t respond at first, just sobbed quietly, her whole body shaking. I reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder, trying to offer some comfort. She flinched slightly but didn’t pull away.

I glanced up at the quiet driveway, the stillness of the neighborhood feeling like it was mocking the situation that Amber was going through. I wanted to say the right thing, but words felt useless in a moment like this. Instead, I just remained beside her, silently, offering whatever strength I could.

After a few moments, Amber finally lifted her head, her eyes swollen and red from crying. Her voice cracked as she spoke again. “Mariko, I can’t… I can’t tell my mom,” she said, her voice trembling. “She is already dealing with so much. She’s older now. I can’t put this on her.”

I let out a slow breath, running a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the situation settle on my shoulders. Margaret is old, yes, but she deserved to know what had happened. The thought of Amber going through this alone made me sick. But I also understood her fear and hesitation.

“She needs to know,” I said gently. “I know it’s hard, but this isn’t something you can go through on your own.”

She shook her head furiously, wiping at her eyes. “No, Mariko, please. You don’t get it. If I tell her, she will worry herself to death. I can’t do that to her. I won’t.”

I sighed, feeling helpless. “Okay, okay. We don’t have to tell her right now. But you need to get checked out. We need to go to the hospital.”

She hesitated, her eyes darting around, as if searching for a way out, but finally, she nodded. “Yeah… okay. Let’s go.”

I stood up, offering her my hand. She looked at it for a moment before taking it, her grip weak and unsteady. As I helped her to her feet, I could feel her trembling, her whole body wracked with fear. My gut churned, anger simmering just below the surface. Not at her, but at the world that had done this to her.

As we walked slowly to the car, I couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt gnawing at me. This wasn’t the first time Amber had found herself in trouble, and each time, I felt responsible. If I hadn’t been a part of her life, maybe things would have been different for her. Maybe she wouldn’t have gone to that party or any other parties, and wouldn’t have been in harm’s way.

I opened the car door for her, and she climbed in slowly, her movements sluggish, like she was weighed down by everything that had happened. I walked around to the driver’s side, my mind racing as I climbed in and started the car.



The silence between us was heavy as I drove toward the hospital. I wanted to say something, to try to make this better for her, but what could I say? What could possibly fix this?

"Maybe if I wasn't in your life then maybe all these things wouldn't have happened," I finally said.

After a few minutes, Amber spoke, her voice soft and strained. “You know… I probably would’ve ended up at all the parties, even if we had never dated. Even if you weren’t in my life.”

Her words took me by surprise. I glanced over at her, trying to gauge her expression, but her gaze was fixed out the window, distant and unreadable.

“I don’t believe that,” I said quietly, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

She let out a bitter laugh. “It’s true. You didn’t put me on this path, Mariko. I did that all by myself. Maybe I was always meant to be this way… reckless and stupid.”

I shook my head, my chest tightening with frustration. “You are not stupid. And you didn’t deserve this. No one does.”

She didn’t respond, just kept staring out at the dark streets as they passed by. I could see her shoulders tense up again, like she was holding herself together with fraying threads. I hated seeing her like this...broken and lost.

When we finally reached the hospital, I parked the car and turned to her, taking a deep breath. “Amber, listen to me,” I said, my voice steady but firm. “You are stronger than this. I know you are. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Let’s just focus on getting you the help you need right now, okay? We will figure the rest out later.”

She nodded silently, her eyes flickering with emotion. I knew she was trying to hold back the tears again, trying to stay composed. But I could see the fear and pain she was carrying, and it made my chest ache.

I got out of the car and walked around to help her out, guiding her toward the hospital entrance. She leaned on me slightly as we walked, her body still trembling. When we entered the hospital, the fluorescent lights were harsh, making everything feel too real and too raw.

As we approached the front desk, I glanced at Amber, making sure she was okay. She gave me a small, weak nod, and I turned to the receptionist.

“We need to see a doctor,” I said quietly. “It’s… urgent, she was assaulted.” I hated that word, even to say it.

The receptionist nodded, her expression softening as she looked at Amber. “We will get you in right away.”

"Thank you," I said, and then I guided Amber to a seat in the waiting area and I sat beside her.

The minutes dragged on. Amber kept her head down, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. I reached over and gave her a gentle squeeze on her shoulder, hoping to offer some reassurance, even if I couldn’t fix what had happened.

Finally, a nurse called Amber’s name, and I stood up with her, ready to walk her back. But she hesitated, turning to me with pleading eyes.

“Mariko, I-”

“You don’t have to do this alone,” I said softly. “I’m right here.”

She nodded, taking a deep breath, and we walked together toward the examination room. Whatever happened next, I would be there for her. No matter how hard it got, I wasn’t going to let her face this nightmare by herself.



Maddie's POV

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow across the bedroom. I blinked a few times, my body still groggy from sleep, but I quickly realized something felt... off. I turned over, expecting to see Mariko’s comforting presence beside me, but the bed was empty. His side was cold, untouched since the early hours.

My heart sank a little, and I sat up, glancing around the room, hoping to catch some sign of him. Then, my eyes landed on a note left on the bedside table. My stomach knotted as I reached for it, my hands trembling slightly as I unfolded the paper.

I had to leave for an emergency. Amber needs me. I will explain later.

Amber.

Of course, it was Amber. I clenched the note in my fist, frustration bubbling up in my chest. I know it’s selfish, but I can’t help it. Mariko is always there when Amber calls, and it eats at me. I tossed the note back onto the table, trying to swallow the bitter taste rising in my throat.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to push the thoughts aside. I had to focus on the kids. Today was going to be busy, and with Mariko gone, everything fell on me. I still felt exhausted, but there was no time for that.

“Alright, Maddie,” I muttered to myself. “You can do this.”

I could hear the chaos starting in the house. Bella was already up and about, her little feet pattering across the floor, her high-pitched voice echoing through the house. Angel was likely still in her bedroom getting ready for school. The twins were in their nursery, and Rosie was already taking care of them, but I could hear their soft cries from down the hallway.

I stood up slowly, every muscle in my body protesting. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Pale, tired eyes, hair a mess. I barely recognized the woman staring back at me this morning.

“Just get through today,” I whispered before heading out of the bedroom.

The noise hit me the moment I stepped into the hallway. Bella was shouting about her shoes, Angel was arguing with her about something I couldn’t quite make out, and the twins’ cries were growing louder by the second. My head throbbed.

"Maddie! Maddie!" Bella shouted from the kitchen. "I can't find my shoes! Where's my daddy?"

"Angel, please help her find her shoes!" I called out, already feeling the day starting to unravel. I also had to get ready for work.

Angel groaned from her room, "Bella always loses everything."

I rubbed my temples, trying to stave off the headache that was creeping in. I made my way to the nursery where Rosie was gently rocking one of the twins, but the other was still crying. I could feel my heart race just a little faster, the tension building.

"Rosie, do you mind helping me with the twins? I need to get the older kids ready for school, and… it’s a lot today. I have to get to work too." I said, my voice coming out shakier than I intended.

"Of course," she replied kindly, handing me one of the twins. "Don’t worry, I will take care of them after breakfast."

I nodded, cradling Marielle in my arms, trying to ignore the growing sense of panic. I could do this. I had to do this. I looked over at Mikayla, she was growing sleepy as she lied on her back, she was quiet. I carried Marielle out of the nursery and into the hallway, only to be met with Bella frantically searching through the hallway closet for her shoes and Angel huffing as she made her way down the hallway with her hair half-brushed. I guess Mariko does keep them both organized.

"Maddie, I told you I can’t find them!" Bella wailed, her little face scrunched up with frustration.

"Angel, help her look!" I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. Angel stopped in her tracks and turned around, her expression was sad, and I felt bad about it as she walked over to help Bella. Perhaps I should call in sick today.

Marielle started to cry again, and I bounced her gently, trying to soothe her while also attempting to manage the chaos around me. My panic and exhaustion only grew. I stood in the kitchen and saw my phone on the kitchen counter as Rosie was busy with breakfast.

Suddenly, I remembered Mariko. I needed his help. This was too much. I grabbed my phone and dialed his number. It rang for what felt like forever before he finally picked up. “Mariko?” I said, relief flooding me at the sound of his voice.

“I’m in the middle of something,” he said quickly, his tone distracted. “What’s going on?”

I could hear Amber’s voice in the background, faint but unmistakable. My stomach twisted again, but I forced the words out. “The kids, Mariko. It’s just... it’s too much right now. I need your help,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to-”

“I will be home as soon as I can,” he interrupted, sounding rushed. “I have to go. We will talk later, okay?” Before I could respond, the line went dead. I stared at my phone in disbelief, the overwhelming feeling crashing down on me like a tidal wave. I was on the verge of breaking down, and he just hung up on me.

Marielle continued to cry, and Bella and Angel were now yelling at each other. My chest tightened, my breaths coming faster as I tried to hold it together. Rosie rounded the kitchen counter and took Marielle from me with a gentle smile as she sensed my struggle.

“Maddie! She’s not helping! And I’m going to be late!” Bella screamed, her face red with frustration.

“Bella won’t stop whining, and I'm trying to help her. Her shoes are nowhere to be found. I will look in her bedroom again,” Angel added. She seemed almost afraid that I would snap at her again.

"It's not in my bedroom!" Bella screamed at Angel.

I couldn’t take it anymore. The noise and pressure... it all came crashing down. My vision blurred, my head was spinning. I tried to take a breath, but it felt like I was drowning. I reached out for the kitchen counter to steady myself, but the world around me tilted.

The last thing I heard was the sound of Marielle's cries before everything went black.