Page 272 of Nemesync
I grinned, “It’s a long story,” I glanced outside the window.
The view was beautiful, but at that moment, it didn’t feel right to be here in Vesper. The city where the shadows lingered, and the secrets were obscured by night.
This city held so many memories, not just bad ones, but good ones too, and it was overwhelming. We settled into the living room, June clinging to me like a koala. Miranda took a seat, her gaze softening
Her hand found mine and squeezed it, “What’s wrong, Zee?”
“I really don’t know. It just doesn’t feel like home here anymore. Everything’s changed.”
Ichanged.
“Maybe it’s for the better. Speaking of which, where are those bad boys of yours?”
“They said they had some work. Probably cooking up another plan as we talk.”
Miranda chuckled and shook her head, “Sure. Now tell me. What happened during the mission?”
I started to describe the events, June listening with wide-eyed fascination, even if he doesn’t understand anything.
“It was intense,” I began. I told her about the infiltration, the encounters with the guards, and the nerve-wracking worst part of it. “And then, I was face to face with Lukas and I got shot,” I continued, “By my mother.”
The truth hit Miranda like a punch to the gut.
She sat back, momentarily stunned. “Your mother?” she repeated.
I nodded, “Yeah. I didn’t even know she was alive, let alone part of this mess, maybe one of the heads of it even.”
June was falling asleep in my arms, and Miranda, finding her voice, managed to ask, “How... How did Elijah react to that? You got shot, and he was there? What did he do?”
I chuckled, “I don’t know, but I’m sure Lukas is dead now.”
Miranda, caught between horror, admiration and fascination, asked, “And you and Elijah... you two are...”
My smile turned into a grin, “I love him with what’s remaining of my heart.”
“How’s he holding up?”
My eyes softened at the mention of Elijah, “He’s here for me. Saving me, again and again.”
Miranda chuckled, “You deserve someone like him, Zanae. Someone who’d go to the ends of the earth for you.”
Her eyes softened looking at us, the comforting rhythm of her son’s breaths, sleeping on my lap.
She took a moment to gather her thoughts, her voice so soft and so affectionate, “You know, Zanae,” her gaze was fixed on me, “I’m so happy to see you feel what I felt back when I had you by my side during the birth of June. I was alone, just a scared young girl facing the uncertainty of motherhood. My parents had disowned me, even after I was assaulted. They wanted me to get rid of him, but you... you were there for me.”
A fond smile played on Miranda’s lips; the memories flashed in front of me. “You worked, even when you didn’t have to, during my pregnancy. You were the only person I found when I was in the worst state of my life. You held my hand through it all, and when June was born, you became a second mother to him. You spoiled both of us, and I can never repay you for the love and support you’ve given us.”
I looked at her, tears about to fall down on my cheeks, “And now, seeing you with Ben, Niko, Brian and with Elijah by your side, it’s like witnessing a full circle of love. You deserve every bit of happiness, Zanae. You’ve been a pillar of strength for us, for me, for my June, and I’m just so happy you have someone to be what you were and still are for my baby and I.” She kissed my cheek and added, “I hope someday you’re going to see yourself like we see you, and not like your mind wants you to.”
I listened with a soft smile; and I just hugged her and cried my heart out.
I hated it.
I hated that I forced them to go through this because I tried to end my life. I hated that she had to remind herself about all of this just to prove to me that I was loved. I felt a knot in my heart, in the arms of Miranda, I felt like I could let it go, let the sadness release itself on me. I didn’t even want to leave them. I loved Miranda, and I loved June. I wanted to see her find the love she deserved, I wanted to see June grow older, see him live a life full of good things.
I really did.
Elijah
