Hostages .

7 || Hospital

Mia's POV (2018)

"Okay, everyone can pack their bags now. I want you all to do your homework before your next lesson. If you find it difficult, it's okay. Just do what you can and the parts you don't understand, the teachers will help you with." I announce with one final clap before giving them a warm smile as they start to head out of the room following their parents.

I turn to face Mia and Milena, the last two left to be picked by their mother, the devil. My mother reenters the room with a cup of coffee in hand as she speaks on the phone. I look back at the two, waiting patiently.

Feeing awkward, I go to collect my laptop off the desk. I sit down at the table at the end of the room, wanting to finish some paperwork I have left before we have to leave. I hear my mother's voice as I slid my earphones on. I look up to notice her speaking with the girls with a loving expression.

Just as I finish, their mother walks in with a huge grin on her face. My usual blank expression slides back up on my face as I reluctantly take my earphones off, I am immediately met with her ear bleeding voice.

"Hey, Maria! How was it? You finished? Hey Mia, Milena! And Mia!" She yells with a feign excitement lacing her voice, avoiding the elephant in the room.

I look up at her and give a deadly glare before turning to look at my baby cousins. I notice Milena awkward expression and attempt at giving her mother the cold shoulder.

She probably doesn't understand how she can act like nothing happened. Welcome to the club, Milena.

I start to put my laptop into my bag as Sofia continued to talk to my mother and her daughter animatedly.

"She's at the hospital, Maria. We took her to the hospital." Sofia adds, her voice seeping with feign concern but a sly smile appears on her face as if she just gave her good news.

I watch my mother's reaction, not knowing what she's talking about. My mother furrows her eyebrows as she listens to Sofia. She turns to me before speaking. "Okay, Mia, finish packing your bag. Nonna is in hospital, we have to go now." My mother explains as she looks at the expression on my face.

I nod my head instead of replying. I continue to pack my things and lock up the cabinets before getting ready to leave. "We'll leave on our own. You can go and take your kids home." My mother tells Sofia once I grab the keys and wait for her patiently as she gets her things together as well.

"Okay, I'll meet you there. I'll just drop the kids first." Sofia replies as Mia and Milena pack up their books and put their jackets back on before waving goodbye at me with an awkward smile. Feeling bad, I wave back and give them a reassuring smile that I'm not mad at them, just feel awkward now that they know what he did.

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"You've been quiet, are you okay, Mia?" My mother's voice halts my thoughts as I stare at the trees passing by as she drives towards the hospital. I turn to her and give her a nod. "You've been quiet for a couples weeks, Mia. I'm starting to worry about you. You haven't properly talked to me since that day."

"I.. I don't know. It.. hurts, Ma." I say, my voice barely a whisper but my mother hears me.

"You need to be strong, Mia." My mother replies as usual, reminding me why I shouldn't have said anything.

"You're right." I reply with a monotone voice, tired of being a disappointment. Maybe I'm just not strong like you, Ma.

My mother parks the car before looking at the time to see whether we'll get a ticket, not knowing how long will be. She notices that it's half past seven, sighing with relief, she turns to grab her bag and exit the car. Once we exit the car, she locks it before walking to hospital. I take in a deep breathe before catching up with her.