Page 107 of Oceansong
She wouldn’t have enough hours or money before she set off for school. But she deserved it. Should have left Kaden before she got herself in too deep. Everything she worked for. Gone.
Before she hit the little semi-circle icon, a new email came in.
Mia: Hey, sorry to email you at work. But I haven’t heard back from you at all, and I can’t stop thinking about you. Please call when you get this. I know you haven’t answered me so far, and I think I know why. Let me explain?
Angie fiddled with the email and sent her a message back, asking her to meet her at work. Mia agreed, and she shut off her computer.
Nick and Bàba’s cruel words assaulted her, her mind an echo chamber, their threats spinning round and round in a never-ending loop. She walked outside the business room. While waiting, she kicked a loose rock across the floor, and it soared into the main outhouse’s tightly shut door.
Cyrus. She promised him and Kaden she would try her damndest to get him out tonight.
Shit, she should have asked Mia to meet her another time, or even later tonight.
Mia arrived on time and not a moment later, and Angie yanked her into a hug. Mia squeezed tight in return. “Nick told me he tipped off Bàba. That they fired you. I hope you know I would never turn my back on you, I woulddo anything for you.” Mia spoke her entire spiel in one breath and pulled back, gulping in a breath of air. “You know that, right?”
A group of dock workers walked past, led by Nick. He gave Mia a brief wave before walking off, ignoring Angie.
“I have to tell you something,” Mia began once Nick and the workers were out of earshot.
“Yeah?”
“Nick threatened me, the day we met with the mer. He kept asking me where I had gone for those two hours. I told him I took Rosie for a walk, but he didn’t believe me. He screamed at me, threw things, made me tell him.” She sniffled. “Rosie was scared out of her mind. I didn’t want to tell him, I swear. But he threatened to divorce me and take Rosie, saying I put them in danger, so I caved and told him. I wish I hadn’t.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t call you back. I should have known.” Another thought came to her, gripping her insides. “Mia.” Her voice dropped low. “Did he hit you? Or Rosie?”
Mia swallowed hard, grunting with effort as they kept moving. “He was just mad we went behind his back. He’s never done it before, he couldn’t control himself—” She broke off, eyes growing wide and mouth dropping open.
“I’m going to kill that asshole,” Angie said through gritted teeth. “And while you’re pregnant with his baby? How dare he.”
Mia scoffed. “Hopefully you won’t have to. Once we get a chance to breathe, if we make it through this war. I’m leaving him. He’s not the man I fell in love with and married. He’s changed this summer.”
Angie swelled with pride for her. “You have to do what’s best for you, jiejie. I’m with you, whatever you decide.” She thought of telling Mia about Nick and the mermaid, but decided against it. Choosing to leave her husband couldn’t have been an easy decision for her sister.
“Thanks.”
“Mia, honey, I know I just didn’t hear what I thought I did.” Nick had returned with the group of workers, and the group of men stood over them, Nick’s arms crossed over his chest, tight enough so his forearm muscles bulged.
Mia stiffened, and Angie’s next words died in her throat.
“You three. Stay right there.” Nick ordered his men, two of which were Marc and Ian, and they stayed put.
Mia hadn’t moved a muscle beside her. Angie’s breaths burst in and out. She wasn’t afraid of what Nick would do to her, but to Mia.
“Did I just hear that you were planning on leaving me?” The timbre ofhis voice had become low and menacing.
“You can’t do what you’re doing. To me, to our daughter, treating my sister the way you do. It’s not right.” Mia stood straighter, her glare never leaving Nick, and Angie wanted to hug her.
“She. Attacked. Me.” Nick jabbed a finger to his sternum and moved closer so that he was nearly chest-to-chest with his wife.
“Because you started it. I know her. She’s not a fighter unless you push her into a corner.”
Angie saw the pulsing in Mia’s neck and temples, heard the slightest tremor in her voice.
Come on, Mia. Don’t crumble. Stay strong.
“Oh, is that what she told you?” Nick threw back his head and laughed, a harsh, angry sound. “After all I’ve done for you, for Rosie, for our second child.” He pointed to her stomach while tapping his foot against the wooden-planked ground. “Newsflash, hon. I won’t let that happen. My family and I were the only ones here for you when your own family wasn’t. There’s no you without me.”
Tears gathered at the corners of Mia’s eyes, and her cheeks paled.
