XA

e any trouble, Roxy, please." Mom held m

tears, not s

, her voice carryi

or trouble. And

ng when I'd woken up on the hospital bed and had

arriage. It wa

fully gotten r

in love with Josh knowing fully w

ct that it was my fault fo

they had ended the life growing inside me b

in sat heavy

et's go in." I said quietly, but there

signed sigh and

, and betrayal s

ck slacks, sipping whiskey while his mother, as immacu

hered to come see

of particular t

ched him, my voice not st

is mothe

iar spiteful sneer she always harbored f

topped his mother, an

time, then he sighed, "I'm sorry it came to this, Roxanne, but you kno

rt crumbled a

ok backseat for sorrow to s

ckering between the ground and my face. I didn't n

s that why you

him, "don't be stupid, Roxanne. You want to know why I chose you

hickened

. The daughter of a commo

saw mom flinch slightly at th

one to his events in order to elevate his status and earn respect from the society," her gaze hardened, "but I gues

, cut through the room an

ed, hum

ed my son's life and bore him a child. You expect my son to pass up such a wonderful woman and partner for... you?" Her eyes mocked, scoffing, "you who have

ollected documents I had barely noticed sitting on a low stool

just a month left, but there's no need. Va

d and whooshing about my ears. Pain reached out a fist an

o look at the paper

him. I let myself be

fe, but you'll remain as

ted from me, surprising ev

k my lips against tears. When I was done, I

the dresses and shoes they bought for me over the years. I d

small duffel b

- probably have been inst

ditional voic

for love. But for the connection a

myself, forci

y head held high, no mat

" Josh was the first

t in her denim jeans and silk halter top. She

I replied curtl

h, "you can not l

ack at him fiercely. "As you said, his m

nows you.

chubby innocent face contorted in con

y." Vanessa tri

her touch and coming to hide behin

dn't help myself. A tear escaped, but I quickly ducked my

, "hey, baby. Your mommy is here now a

strong shake of his head, holding on to me tighter, "no, mommy. Please,

p at Josh who cleared his thr

ths old with his mother overseas. "I love you, baby. But I have to go. Go

ommy, please, don't go!" His wails broke m

thing left f

left. I only divorced you, not take away your role as his nanny. He's still getting

l! You're breaching the cont

stay here for five years without fulfilling your own part of the bargain! Five years of my life, no education. No salary. No dreams achieved! Just clothes for occasions, a heavy

brought it down on my

ed as Vanessa managed

econds, and without a word, carried my bag

om

wishing I couldn't he

t go!" He cr

head, swallowing emotions. I didn

eamed amidst screeching

the struggle.

ying on the floor, weakly sobbing and hold

t Vanessa, "how careless can you be hand

idn'

n pressed tightly to my bosom, hiccuping through tea

d guilt almost

, hailing the first cab I saw