Chapter Eighty-seven

Chapter Eighty-seven
Mirabella couldn’t hold it anymore. She stood up and wrapped her arms around Beverly. “I’ll miss you so much,” she whispered.

Aria joined them a second later, and all three women clung to each other, sobbing quietly.

They stayed like that for a while.

When they finally pulled apart, Rena came running into the room with one of Beverly’s kitchen towels wrapped around her head like a scarf. “Look, Mama! I’m a superhewo!"

The three women laughed through their tears. Beverly picked her up and kissed her cheek. “You’re my little superhero, Rena. Don’t forget me, okay?”

“Dada will take me and mama hommmee,” Rena said proudly. “Aunty Bev, go home with me.”

Beverly smiled, tears still clinging to her lashes. “I can't go with you Rena. You won't forget me right?”

"I will not forget Aunty Bev."

“You better don't, sweetheart.”



The next morning came faster than anyone wanted.

The sun was barely out when Mirabella heard Hunter’s voice calling out, “Babe, it’s time.”

She looked around her room one last time before zipping up the last suitcase. The walls felt emptier now. The room smelled of lavender and soap, but the warmth was gone.

When she stepped out with Rena’s small bag slung over her shoulder, her friends were waiting by the door. Their eyes were really dull..

“Take care of yourself, Mira, and also Rena” Aria said softly.

“And let's speak over the phone,” Beverly said, like a reminder.

Mirabella smiled weakly. “Thank you, guys. For everything.”

Hunter came out next, carrying two heavy suitcases like they weighed nothing. He looked tired but calm. His eyes found hers for a moment and they softened. “You’re ready?”

She nodded, even though she wasn’t. She hugged her friends for the last time and followed Hunter.

As they walked to the car, Tobias stayed back and bidded goodbye to Aria before joining them.



At the airport, Rena was buzzing with excitement. It was her first time flying, and she couldn’t stop running around the waiting area, pointing at things, asking questions.

“Dada, are we going to enter that aeoplane?” she asked for the fifth time, pointing to the window.

“Yes, princess. That’s the one,” Hunter said patiently.

“Yeyyy!” Rena’s eyes widened. “It’s big big big! Is it bigger than a car?”

Hunter chuckled and nodded. “Much bigger.”

When they finally boarded the plane, Rena got the window seat, of course. Hunter sat beside her, and Mirabella took the seat opposite to him.

Rena was already bouncing on her seat, pressing the buttons on the armrest.

“Rena,” Mirabella said gently, “sit still, baby.”

“But Mama, look!” Rena giggled, pointing outside. “The man is small!”

Hunter smiled and rested a hand on Rena’s head. “He’ll look even smaller soon, princess. Just wait till we’re up in the sky.”

Mirabella leaned back and closed her eyes as the plane began to move. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed. Every sound reminded her of what she was leaving behind.

She turned to the window and saw the ground slowly shrinking beneath them.

Rena squealed. “We’re flying!”

“Yes, princess,” Hunter said softly, smiling at her.

But Mirabella couldn’t smile. She wasn't in the mood. She pressed her palms together and stared out quietly.

Hunter noticed. He turned slightly toward her. “You okay babe?”

She nodded without looking at him. “I’m fine.”

He didn’t believe that for a second. “You haven’t eaten since morning,” he said. “I told you to eat something before we left.”

“I wasn’t hungry,” she murmured.

“You didn’t eat at the airport either.”

“Hunter, please,” she said quietly, not looking at him. “Not now.”

He sighed but said nothing more. He reached for her hand and held it on his thigh. She didn’t pull away, but she didn’t squeeze back either.

When the flight attendant came by with food, Hunter ordered for the three of them. Rena was thrilled by the little tray in front of her — the small box of chips, the juice box, the butter.

“Yay! Food!” she exclaimed.

Hunter smiled at her excitement, then turned to Mirabella. “Eat something, babe.”

She looked at the tray, then away. “I can’t.”

“Bella…”

“I am not hungry, Hunter,” she said, her voice tired. “Please.”

Hunter’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t push further. He gave her a small nod and turned his attention to Rena instead, helping her open the butter packet.

Mirabella rested her head against the seat and closed her eyes.

Through her lashes, she could still see the way Hunter was looking at her when he thought she wasn’t paying attention, concerned, with guilt, and something deeper she couldn’t quite name.

Rena’s soft chatter continued every now and then. “Mama, look! We’re flying! That looks like cotton candy!” she said giggling.

Mirabella forced a small smile. “Yes, baby. They’re pretty.”

“And they’re so white and blue and…..!” Rena said, pressing her face to the glass. “Can I touch them?”

Hunter chuckled. “Not yet, princess. Maybe when you grow up you can.”

“I will grow up tomorrow dada," she said with a hopefully glint in her eyes.

Mirabella’s eyes drifted toward him briefly.

She looked down at her hands and whispered to herself, “I hope I'm not losing myself all over again.”

The words were spoken very quietly, but Hunter’s sharp ears caught them. His head turned toward her.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly, wiping her hand on her tired face.

Hunter’s heart clenched at the sight. He wanted to say something, to hold her, to comfort her, to explain that this was for her safety, for Rena’s safety as well. But the words stuck in his throat. He wasn’t good at soft words. He could show love through actions, but when it came to saying how he felt, he always fell short.

He reached for her hand again, this time holding it tighter and squeezing in comfort.

She looked at him for a second before sighing and resting her head against the window. Outside, the sun was beautifully shining on everything. It was all beautiful, but to her, it was just there, looking like goodbye.

Rena had fallen asleep on her father’s lap now, her small hand still clutching the juice box.

Hunter adjusted her carefully, making sure she was comfortable. Then he looked at Mirabella again. She was staring out the window, lost in thought, her expression unreadable.

He leaned closer and whispered, “Everything’s going to be fine, Bella. I promise you.”

But she didn’t answer.

Hunter leaned back in his seat, eyes still on her, while she kept watching the clouds absentmindedly.