Chapter 14 Vacation
ANNA'S POV
“A vacation? To where and why?” I asked, my brows furrowing slightly as I looked between my parents.
“Well, we were thinking of Germany or Russia,” my mom said with a small smile. “We haven’t really made a decision yet, we wanted you to pick.”
My lips parted slightly in disbelief. “I can’t come with you guys. I don’t even have a passport, and I can’t just leave the country just like that. I’ve never done that before.”
My dad leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but firm. “Do you have something that’s keeping you here like college, work, or any other thing?”
“No,” I replied softly.
“Then there’s really no issue,” he said without hesitation. “If it’s about your passport, we can get that done in hours. It’s just left for you to make up your mind and come with us. This whole trip was mainly because of you because we want to spend time together as a family.”
My mom reached out gently, placing her hand over mine. Her touch was warm, reassuring. “We’re not forcing you,” she said quietly, her eyes searching mine. “But you really need this, Anna. You need to clear your head of everything that has happened, all that you’ve endured. And deep down, you know that too.”
Hearing that sudden decision shocked me more than I cared to admit. I didn’t expect something like this, not so soon, not when everything around me still felt like it was falling apart.
If I had heard this a few days ago, I would have said no immediately without even thinking about it. Back then, I thought my life was set. I thought I was about to marry the love of my life. I thought I had a best friend who would stand by me no matter what, and a mother who truly cared. But I was wrong about all of it.
They all abandoned me. Every single one of them. They pushed me aside the moment things went south and threw me away like I was nothing.
Now, I basically have no reason left to stay in this country. Everything that tied me here is gone or broken beyond repair. Maybe this trip is what I need. Maybe it will help me forget, even if just for a little while.
And maybe… it’ll help me breathe again.
I let out a small sigh and looked up at them. “I mean… sure, a vacation isn’t that bad,” I finally said, trying to sound casual though my voice was quiet.
“Splendid!” my mom exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy. “The maids will start packing our luggage immediately. We leave today.”
“Today?” I blinked, caught off guard again. “Don’t you think that’s a bit too rushed? I mean, wouldn’t we have missed the flight or something?”
My dad chuckled, his tone light. “We can’t miss our flight, my dear. We have our own private jet. We can travel anytime we want.”
Of course they did. With all the wealth surrounding this mansion, I should have guessed. The elegant furniture, all screamed money. Why would they ever wait in line at an airport like ordinary people?
My mom smiled again, her voice soft as she added, “You’ll also be meeting your brother once we get to Russia.”
That made me freeze. “I have a brother?” I asked, my voice rising slightly, filled with confusion.
“A stepbrother,” she corrected gently, “and a sister. After we thought we lost you, we couldn’t have any more children for a while. So your father and I decided to adopt.”
“Oh.” I leaned back in my chair, still processing her words. “Guess there’s still a lot I need to figure out around here,” I said, my tone mixed with disbelief and a touch of sarcasm.
My mom’s laugh was small but genuine. “Yes, there’s a lot you’ve missed. But you’ll see, it won’t take long to feel like home again.”
The rest of the day passed by in a blur. Everything happened so fast that it almost didn’t feel real.
The maids moved efficiently around the house, their footsteps echoing faintly down the long marble halls as they packed suitcases, folded clothes, and organized travel bags. My mom and I talked as they worked, small talk, mostly. She asked about my favorite foods, the kind of weather I preferred, the little things I liked to do. It felt strange, answering questions that most mothers would already know about their daughters. But for us, this was new ground.
Every now and then, I caught her glancing at me, studying me as if she still couldn’t believe I was sitting there in front of her. And maybe, in some way, I couldn’t believe it either.
My dad came in and out of the room, speaking briefly to the staff and making calls to finalize the arrangements. He carried himself with quiet authority, his voice calm but commanding, the kind of presence that filled a room without trying.
As evening approached, the sky outside shifted into shades of soft orange and deep blue. I stood by the window for a while, staring out at the garden below, where the fountain sparkled under the fading sunlight.
When everything was finally ready, my dad appeared at the doorway. “Let’s head to the airport,” he said, his voice steady.
I nodded, clutching the small handbag one of the maids had set aside for me. My heart beat a little faster as we walked through the grand entrance hall.
Outside, a car was already waiting, the driver standing beside it, ready to open the doors. My parents slid in first, and I followed, the leather seat cool against my skin.
When we arrived, the sight that greeted me was beyond anything I’d ever imagined. The private jet stood on the runway, gleaming under the floodlights, sleek and impossibly elegant. A small crew was already waiting near the steps, bowing slightly when they saw my parents.
My father placed a hand on my shoulder, guiding me gently forward. “Come on. Time to go.”
I followed him up the steps, each one feeling heavier than the last. When I reached the top and stepped inside, the air smelled faintly of fresh leather and citrus. The cabin was spacious, with wide seats, polished tables, and soft lighting.
“This is… beautiful,” I murmured, unable to hide my amazement.
My mom smiled warmly. “We’ll make sure your first flight is comfortable.”
I sat down near the window, fastening the seatbelt as the engines started to hum softly beneath us. My mom sat beside me, while my dad took the seat across the aisle, already flipping through some documents.
As the plane began to move, my chest tightened slightly not from fear, but from the weight of everything I was leaving behind.
The heartbreak, the pain, it all felt distant now, like a memory fading in the wind.
And just like that, as the plane lifted into the night sky, I was leaving this country
For now.