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Mom frowns, squinting at my face as though she can’t quite understand what I’m saying. That makes two of us.
“Wh…where are you going?”
“I don’t know yet.”
She pulls the covers off her legs. “I’ll come with you.”
One look at her frail arms sticking out of her night shirt, and I know Arsen was right. It hurts more than I know how to put into words. “Mom, you’re sick. You need to stay right here.”
“But why do you have to go?” She glances out the window. “It’s the middle of the night. You can’t just take Nina and go. What does Arsen say?”
“He says that this is necessary. He’ll explain everything to you tomorrow.”
Because fuck knows I can’t do it. Not if I’m going to maintain any kind of composure.
There are voices just outside the door.My time’s running out.
The problem is that Mom’s time is running out, too. Permanently. And he’s still forcing me to leave her. “Nina and I will be alright. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”
The moment the words are out of my mouth, they feel like a lie.
Thick, ugly sobs collect in my throat. I have to get out now or I’ll completely lose my shit. I can’t allow her to see me like that. “I just wanted to say goodbye.”
Mom is shaking her head, her eyes teary. “Why does it feel like I won’t see you again?”
“I love you, Mom. You’re the best mother a girl could ever ask for.” A traitorous tear slides down my cheek.
I kiss her forehead quickly and run out of the room. Evelyn is standing on the other side, rocking Nina in her arms.
She pulls back when she sees me, eyes narrowed. “Laila… what’s going on?”
I take Nina from her, ignoring her gaze. “I’m sorry for leaving like this. Please take care of my mom for me.”
“Of course I will. But?—”
“I’m sorry,” I choke out around a sob. “I have to go.”
My footsteps echo through the empty house.
In the driveway, Gedeon sits behind the wheel of the SUV and Arsen is standing by the open back door.
He leans close, and I catch my breath, but he just presses a kiss to Nina’s forehead. Then he plucks her gently from my arms and straps her into her car seat. His hands are careful, as tender as ever, and yet, somehow, lifeless. Robotic.
Cold.
“You don’t have to do this,” I whisper, knowing already that it won’t make any difference. “I know you’re going through something, but we’re a team now. Let me help. Let me be here for you. Don’t push me away again.”
“We don’t have time for this. You’ll miss your plane.”
“I guess I should be grateful it’s not a rocket ship,” I mutter. “How far away do you plan to send me?”
“Gedeon will be with you.” He says that like it matters. Like there’s anyone else I’d rather be with. “I’m needed here.”
“What about us?” I croak. “We need you, too, Arsen!”
“There is no changing this, Laila. Plans have been made. You will be on that flight tonight.”
I glance over his shoulder towards the house. “My mother?—”
