Chapter 106 COME TO YOU.
\~~~RAINA.
The words hung in the air between us, sharp and heavy.
My father's face was stone, unyielding as always. I stood there in the living room of the house that was supposed to be home, but it felt like a prison now. My bag sat at my feet, a small reminder that I had nowhere else to go. Tears burned my eyes, but I wouldn't let them fall yet. Not until I said what I needed to.
"It was all your fault I turned out this way," I cried, my voice cracking like thin ice. The pain bubbled up, hot and unstoppable. "You forced me into Talia's life. You made me pretend to be her. But it is now my fault? All of it?!" My voice echoed through the living room, raw and unfiltered.
My father stood in front of me, his face red with anger, his jaw tight.
He leaned forward in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "Just go back to him, and apologize. I am on that man's blacklist already. You think I'd willingly step into this fire again?!" he yelled back, his voice booming off the walls. He gestured wildly, like I was a child throwing a tantrum.
I glanced at my mother. She stood beside him, her hands twisted in front of her, her face pale and confused. Her eyes darted between us, like she didn't know which side to pick.
But I knew. It would always be him. She never stood up, never chose me over his temper. That hurt almost as much as his words.
"You are kidding," I whispered, shaking my head. Disbelief twisted in my gut.
"Just leave, Raina. Go back to him. If he knows you're Raina, then make it work out and live fully as his wife. How hard could that be?!" Dad shot back, his tone mocking now.
Rage flared hot in my veins. I stepped closer, my fists clenched. "He has known I am Raina since the wedding day!" I screamed, the truth exploding out. The room went dead silent. Even the clock on the wall seemed to stop ticking. My mother's eyes widened, and for a second, Dad's face flickered with surprise.
"He knew! He played along. He watched me pretend and let me marry him knowing exactly who I was," I added, my voice lower but fierce.
Dad recovered quickly, straightening up. "Well, he must have a soft spot for you then. That is good news. Go back home," he said, like it was that simple.
Like I could just walk back into the cage and pretend nothing happened.
I watched them both, the two people who were supposed to protect me, now pushing me away. Hatred welled up, bitter and raw. "I hate you," I said, staring right at him.
He snorted, crossing his arms. "And now you're gonna whine like a little child?"
The words stung, but I didn't back down. "I hate you. I hate you too, Mother," I turned to her, seeing the flinch in her eyes. "And I swear I hate Talia for dumping this mess on me."
"Just leave," Dad said, waving his hand like I was an annoyance. "When Talia returns, things will be better. I bet she just needs more time. She is suffering too, I know."
My heart shattered at that.
Suffering?
What about me?
“But… father,” I said, my voice crumbling, tears streaming freely now, “I am your daughter too. And I am suffering.”
He looked at me like he was tired.
"Not the pity card, Raina," he snapped. "Just do as I've said and see how things work out."
There was no warmth, no comfort. Just dismissal. I tightened my grip on the handle of my bag, the leather biting into my palm. A lump formed in my throat, thick and choking.
I swallowed hard, tasting salt from the tears. Without another word, I turned gently, my legs heavy as rock. The room blurred behind me as I walked out, soft sobs escaping despite my efforts to hold them in.
When I got to the hallway, my legs finally gave up on me.
I leaned against the wall, covering my mouth with my hand as I cried silently, the shaking breaths and pain pressing against my ribs.
I straightened after a while and then wheeled my small bag behind me and headed for the front door.
The gate looked impossibly far away. The afternoon sun was too bright, and too cruel for how broken I felt inside.
I dragged my bag across the driveway, my shoulders slumped, and my head bowed.
By the time I reached the gate, my chest was aching so badly I had to stop. I leaned against the metal, breathing in shaky gasps.
Where do I go now?
Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket, jolting me. I fumbled it out, the screen lighting up with Alessia's name. My heart leaped and I answered, pressing it to my ear.
"Raina," came Alessia's soft voice, warm and steady.
"Ale..." I hiccuped, the sound ugly and broken.
"Where are you? Do you need me to come meet you?" she asked, concern evident in her tone.
“I… I need you,” I cried, the words dissolving into sobs. “Please…”
“I am on my way,” she said immediately. I heard the jingle of keys in the background. “Stay where you are. I will come to you.”
“O… okay,” I whispered.
The call ended.
I slid down slowly until I was sitting on the pavement, my back against the gate, and my bag beside me.
I hugged my knees to my chest and then, I cried.