The Ambassador's Daughter

Motherly Love

When we arrived at the hotel in the middle of the night, Mother hugged me, sobbing. "My precious baby! I was so worried! Are you alright?"

"Yes, Mother," I replied wearily.

"You must be exhausted. Come. We will go to your room so you can rest. Are you hungry? I will have them bring you some food."

"I am fine, Mother. I am just very tired."

She walked me up the stairs and joined me in my room. She studied me carefully.

"Flora, you are filthy. Would you like to take a bath first?"

"No, Mother. I am too tired. I will just wash my hands and face."

"Alright. Here, let me lay down with you and hold you once you are done. I missed you so much!"

I undressed down to my undergarments, washed my hands and face, and laid down in bed. Mother laid down next to me and wrapped her arm around me. I began to feel guilty for what I had put her through. She had never truly wronged me other than by letting Father bully us. Perhaps she felt like she was a prisoner just like me, but she did not have the courage to say so. She combed her fingers through my disheveled hair and I quickly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I woke to find Mother had prepared me a bath. Still weary from having lost my taste of freedom and my beloved Jimin, Mother could see I was depressed. She sat next to me as I bathed, afraid I might try to harm myself. I decided to be candid with her. It was my only hope.

"Mother?"

"Yes, Flora?"

"I am so sorry."

"Whatever for, dear?"

"I . . . I was not kidnapped. I ran away. I love you, but I could not stand the thought of marrying Mr. Towle. I was tired of Father controlling me. How do you stand it?"

Her eyes grew big and her face grew red as her body and voice began to shake with rage. "Flora, how could you do this to me? I was worried sick!"

"I never wanted to hurt you, I just could not take it anymore."

Suddenly, angry tears started to pour out of her eyes. "And you think I am happy? I cannot stand your father. He is a bully. It is a wonder I ever managed to get pregnant. I only had children to reduce my loneliness. I despise your father with a passion!"

"Mother! I had no clue! You . . . you--"

"I am one hell of an actress!"

"Why? Why have you put up with it for so long?"

"Survival. I needed your father's money and good standing. Opportunities for women of my generation were rare. Marrying well was often our only option. But you, Flora? You are my hero. You are so brave."

"Mother, the man captured by Mr. Towle that later escaped--"

"Did he harm you? Did-did he violate you?" Mother brought a hand to her mouth in fear.

I shook my head. "No, mother. Not exactly."

"What do you mean?"

"Mother, he helped me run away and . . . we fell in love. We got married. He is my husband."

"Your husband!" Mother gasped, horrified. "But he is--"

"He may not be like us, but I love him all the same and he loves me. We were starting a new life together when Father and Mr. Towle came and dragged us back. I am so thankful he managed to escape. Father is planning on taking the matter to the king. He plans on having our marriage annulled so I can marry Mr. Towle. I just cannot marry him, Mother. I cannot stand the thought of trading one bully for another."