Chapter 35 Mother
SIENNA
I’ve been standing and staring at this door for several minutes without blinking. Anxiety and fear gripped me tightly, and my chest tightened at the thought of what was to come. I’d not been here since I got married. My mother never supported my marrying Ethan. I was the love-struck idiot who insisted on tying the knot with him.
She warned me. She threatened me. But none of it got to me. I was bent on marrying him.
Maybe my mother already knew where the whole thing would end. Maybe she’d seen the future and was just trying to prevent it, but I was a fool. I couldn’t see it. Now, what else? Everything had ended.
The man I deserted my only family for had fallen in love with somebody else.
My mother and I still spoke on the phone, but the bond we shared had reduced. I was always on edge whenever I was on the phone with her, afraid that my tongue might slip and anger her.
She was oblivious to my divorce from Ethan. I hadn’t summoned the courage to let her know that she won and I lost. Just as she predicted, the man was not good enough for me. He was an asshole and unreliable.
Sighing, I threw my head backward and blew out some air. I didn’t know what to expect from this sudden invitation. Mother called me two days ago and commanded me to come over. I couldn’t object. I missed her. I’d been looking for a way to end the rift between us, but I couldn’t think of a possible solution.
With my lips pursed, I pressed the doorbell. It made a ding sound, causing my heart to race. Then it was accompanied by approaching footsteps. I held my breath as I anticipated her. How do I act when I see her? Hug her? Kneel and apologize for disobeying her? Or should I just say the—
The door opened, breaking my thoughts. I raised my eyes, and they fell on my mother. Her lips curved into a smile as she swept her sparkling gaze over me.
I froze on the spot. I was emotionless, confused, and scared.
“You’re home,” she broke the uncomfortable silence between us.
I managed a smile and nodded. “M… Mum,” I stuttered, tears rushing to my eyelids.
She chuckled, erased the gap between us, and wrapped her arms around me. “That’s not the way to greet the mother you haven’t seen for four years,” she whispered.
Tears streamed down my face, unheeded. Since I didn’t see her, I didn’t know how much I’d missed her until now. The warmth her body exuded spread through mine.
“M… Mum,” I cried out. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, love.” Her palms moved slowly and steadily on my back, giving me the assurance I needed. “You’re home now.”
The word home sounded foreign yet familiar. In the past, I thought anywhere Ethan was was home—until he changed. Our house didn’t feel like home any longer, but like bondage.
It took ten minutes for me to finally control my emotions, and we went into the house. Deja vu rushed forward like tidal waves as soon as I stepped in. The first thing my eyes fell on was the family portrait in the corner of the house. It had my younger self, my mother, and my late father in it. We were flashing our teeth shamelessly. That made me remember the good old days, when Father was alive and the only thing that mattered was my parents’ happiness.
The table was set, and we ate silently. Mother hadn’t said a word since we stepped inside, and I hadn’t gathered enough courage to break the news to her… or should I say I just felt the atmosphere was not fitting for that kind of news? We had just reconciled after a fight that was initiated by Ethan; it wouldn’t be proper if the first thing we spoke about was him. It could ruin the already tense atmosphere.
After the meal, we returned to the living room.
“How’s your husband?” Mother asked, catching me by surprise. My eyes widened. The last person I thought she would ask about was him. She despised him and didn’t bother to hide it. She made him know anytime their paths crossed. So what now? Why was she suddenly asking about him?
I was quiet, unsure of how to respond to her. Would it be bad if I opened up to her now?
“Uhm… Mum,” I said, scratching the nape of my neck and tilting my head to the side. “There’s something I need to let you know,” I added.
Her expression revealed nothing. She wasn’t anticipatory or bothered. “What is it, honey?” she asked.
“I… you know Ethan… he…” I stammered, my heart hammering aggressively against my chest.
She sensed my nervousness and placed her hand on mine, squeezing it gently. The gesture assured me… one I never thought I needed.
I shut my eyes and said, “We’re not together…” My eyes slowly opened. “…anymore.” My voice lowered at the last word.
There was silence. She was mute, only staring at me unblinkingly. I stared back, my feet growing cold and my palms sweaty. I nibbled on my lower lip to stop myself from breaking down.
Then, what I didn’t expect happened…
She burst into laughter.
The surprise hit me hard as my brows raised. I’d expected every reaction but never this. She lifted her face as she wiped tears from the corners of her eyes.
“That’s just so funny, honey,” she muttered amidst her laughter. “Sorry for laughing.” She patted the back of my palm.
Yeah, I know. It was indeed funny. I should be laughed at, I know, but being laughed at stirred something within me. I felt stupid once again.
However, nothing prepared me for what she said next.
“Get back with him, Sienna,” she uttered, gazing at me seriously. “You can’t divorce him without my permission.”