Chapter 12: The Call She Didn’t Expect

Sarai was in her small apartment, sitting in front of the window that faced the street, trying to find some calm amid the distant city noise and the chaos inside her. The afternoon had passed uneventfully, but in her mind, the encounter with David kept replaying like an echo. The way he looked at her, the confidence in his voice, and especially his insistence on getting married soon had made the anxiety she had been bottling up for months grow even stronger.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated on the table. She wasn’t expecting any calls—just the usual messages and notifications. But this time, a name appeared that made her blood run cold:

Lorena Donovan.

Her pulse skipped a beat. She knew exactly who that woman was. David’s mother, the matriarch of a powerful family, respected and feared in certain circles. A woman used to controlling everything, imposing her will—and who now seemed to have her in her sights.

Sarai hesitated for a moment but decided to answer.

—Hello —she said, trying to sound natural, though she felt nervous inside.

—Hello, Sarai —Lorena’s voice came through firm and authoritative, leaving no room for familiarity—. This is Lorena Donovan, David’s mother. I hope you’re not surprised that I’m calling, but I thought it best to speak directly, to avoid any misunderstandings.

Sarai swallowed hard, forcing herself to remain calm.

—I’m not surprised, Mrs. Donovan. How can I help you?

Lorena exhaled with a mix of impatience and superiority.

—Look, Sarai, I know you’ve been speaking with David, and that you two are planning to get married. I assume you know that our family has certain standards, and not everyone accepts decisions that don’t align with what we’ve built over generations.

Sarai frowned, feeling the knot in her stomach tighten.

—I’m not trying to cause any problems, ma’am. I just want to do what’s right for David and for me.

—What’s right —Lorena repeated with a hint of disdain— isn’t always what one wants, girl. Sometimes, what’s right is what the family decides. And if you want to be part of this family, you’ll need to understand that decisions aren’t made unilaterally.

Sarai felt a surge of defiance, but held it in. She knew Lorena wasn’t the kind of woman you could argue with easily.

—I understand that you want to protect your son —she said, her voice firm but respectful—, but David is an adult. He has the right to choose who he wants to share his life with.

—David is my son, and he always will be —Lorena raised her voice slightly—. And believe me, I know what’s best for him, even if he doesn’t always see it. The Donovan family can’t afford mistakes or scandals.

The silence that followed was heavy. Sarai forced herself to take a deep breath.

—I’m not here to cause scandals —she assured her—. I just want to take care of David, and protect my mother, who’s very sick. The reason I accepted the contract was to make sure she got the best care possible.

Lorena remained silent, probably analyzing every word.

—That’s what worries me —she said finally—. I don’t know if your intentions are as pure as you claim, or if you’re really prepared for the world you’re stepping into. The Donovan society isn’t easy. The pressure, the expectations... it’s not for everyone.

Sarai felt her eyes fill with tears, but she refused to let them fall.

—I didn’t come to ask for permission, Mrs. Donovan. Only to tell you that I’m going to fight for what I believe is right.

Lorena let out a soft laugh, devoid of warmth.

—Brave and stubborn, huh? I like that, in a way. But remember, Sarai, in this family, bravery comes at a very high price.

Before Sarai could respond, the line went dead.

The phone lay silent on the table. Sarai felt her world begin to crumble, but also that a spark inside her was beginning to burn more fiercely. It wouldn’t be easy—not with Lorena Donovan or any other obstacle.

But she was determined to keep going, for herself, for her mother, and for the man who had set his sights on her when no one else did.

Sarai hung up the phone with a whirlwind of emotions. David’s voice still echoed in her mind—full of promises and protection—but reality was hitting hard. She knew Lorena Donovan wouldn’t give up easily, and the pressure would only increase. She needed a moment to think, to clear her mind, but before she could even rise from the couch, she heard the front door open.

—Sarai, are you home? —Erick’s voice echoed from the hallway.

She lowered her gaze, clenching her fists in frustration. She wasn’t ready to face her brother—not in the mood she was in.

—Where have you been? —Erick asked as he entered the living room, his expression tired and slightly irritated—. You didn’t come home last night, and you didn’t even call.

Sarai looked at him with weary eyes, the weight of the day evident in her expression.

—That’s none of your business —she replied coldly, avoiding his gaze—. You don’t need to know where I was.

Erick frowned but didn’t respond right away. He knew Sarai was on the defensive, and this wasn’t the time to push. Still, his voice lowered, laced with disguised concern.

—I just want you to be okay, Sarai. I know things aren’t easy, but you need to take care of yourself.

She sighed, a bit surprised by his tone. She knew Erick wasn’t the most reliable person; his debts and losing streak as a gambler had been a constant problem. But in that moment, she needed to believe there was at least some genuine concern.

—I’m fine —she said, trying to sound convincing—. I just need some time to think.

Erick sat on the couch, scratching his neck.

—If you need anything, let me know —he said with a crooked smile—. Though with the mess I’m in, I’m not sure how much I can help.

Sarai looked at him for a moment, wondering how much he really knew about her situation with David and the Donovan family. She decided to stay silent. It wasn’t the time to reveal secrets or add more problems to her brother’s plate.

—Thanks, Erick —she said at last, as she stood up—. I need to be alone now.

With those words, she walked to her room, leaving behind a tense air and many unanswered questions.

As she closed the door, her thoughts returned to Lorena’s call, to David’s determination, and to the uncertainty that surrounded her. She knew the road ahead would be rough, but she also knew she had to find the strength to move forward—for herself and for her sick mother.