Page 66 of Captive Union
My mom jerks. “What do you mean?”
Elena and I share a look. I inhale before quickly saying, “Maxim and Erik have made a truce. And since Erik and I are married, once he’s healed, I’m going to live with him again.”
“What?” She blinks so fast that her fake lash begins to fall off. “You’re siding with a traitor? You’ve disgraced this family, young lady.”
“No,” I say with a steadiness I now possess. “All I’m doing is what makes me happy. And my marriage to Erik benefits this family. His alliance with Maxim will make our family stronger. You don’t have a say in my life anymore.”
“This is absurd.” She crosses her arms.
“I’m not going to continue arguing with you, Mom, since we’re just going to go around in circles. Just know that despite not always liking you, I still love you. You’ll always be my mom. But I have to live my life for myself now.”
“So,” Elena cuts in, “I think it’s best that Kira stays with me until Erik is better.” I give her a grateful smile, and she winks in return.
Mom pauses. “You’re … you’re leaving me all alone?”
“It was bound to happen,” Elena says. “You knew someday we’d all be married and living with our spouses.”
“But still.” She clutches her chest. “I’ll be alone.” It’s the first time I’ve ever seen my mom look somewhat vulnerable.
“You won’t,” I tell her. “We’ll still be around. It’s just time I grew up and moved out.”
She slumps down on the couch. “You can’t leave me.”
Despite pitying her, I know staying is not the best thing for me. My mom is toxic, and I need to get away from her. “I love you, Mom, but … I’m not sorry.” I turn to Elena. “I’m gonna go grab some of my things.” And just like that, I’ve made a decision that’s right for me. Not one based on what my family wants or one based on fear but one based on what I desire. My mom will never change. Her being alone is partly her own fault.
So I pack a bag and follow Elena out of the house, saying goodbye to my old life and walking into my new one.
* * *
After a few hours,where I’m sitting on Elena’s sofa, waiting for news about Erik, Maxim arrives. Elena and Nik give us some space as he sits down across from me.
“Is Erik all right?” I ask.
He nods. “He’s stable. Unconscious still, but the doctor assured me that he’ll wake up soon.”
“Great.” I feel like I can breathe again. “Take me to him.”
“I will. But first, I wanted to say to you, Kira, that I’m … sorry.”
“Sorry?”
“For treating you like you didn’t have a say in your own life. As I watched the doctor fix Erik, I realized just how easy it would be for me to end him for good.” I gasp. “But of course, I didn’t. I knew it would hurt you. Erik hurt me so much when he kidnapped you. He knew what he was doing, enacting that kind of revenge. It was effective; I’ll give him that. What I never expected was for him to show love for you. I always disliked him growing up, but he was close with his family, and I took his father away from him when I didn’t have to. I own up to my part in all of this mess. It was my actions that caused you to get hurt in the first place. If Erik didn’t hate Alexei and me, he never would have set his sights on you.
“But,” he continues, “when I saw him look at you down in that basement, I saw true love in his eyes. I recognize it in myself when I look at my wife. It’s a love so deep and raw. You know, he didn’t put a fight once I caught him. At first, I thought he was pathetic. Now, I realize it was because he was heartbroken. If I knew I never got to see Arina again, I would rather die than fight, knowing that I wouldn’t get the chance to see her again. And so, with that knowledge, I’m sorry I forced you two apart. Maybe if I’d known it was true love blossoming between you two, I would have thought before invading his house.”
I give him a look. “I doubt that. I tried explaining it, but you weren’t ready to listen. But I hope now you can see me for the woman I am, not the little girl you always had to protect.”
“I do. And it’s for that reason I’m sorry. Sorry for dismissing you. Sorry for being overprotective. I understand I need to let you go now. It’s just hard.”
I lean over and hug him tightly. “I’ll still be here. And I will always appreciate you trying to protect me. Now I just get the chance to form my own life, for me and no one else.”
“I’m proud of you, Kira. You stood up for yourself.”
I pull back. “How will things go between you and Erik from now on?”
“I would like a truce. I’m tired of all this fighting. Peace is much better than war. If Erik really has changed, then I’ll be willing to work with him again.”
“He has changed. I promise.”
