Maybe

Chapter 28 How fast the night changes

Mom returned home safely, albeit with visible injuries that seemed to have exacerbated her health condition. The tight restraints had left her skin looking more worn and lifeless than before.

"We have no choice. He knows we're here now. We need to leave this city as soon as possible," she declared urgently.

"I'm aware Nina's mom is on her way. We're getting ready to move as swiftly as we can."

As they spoke on the phone, we hurriedly packed our belongings.

And so, here we go again.

We're leaving this city once more. I despise my brother so much.

It didn't take long. Mom took her medications, but seeing her in such a dire state made me want to unleash my fury on that bastard until he bled profusely.

What should I do about Nina? What should I tell her?

_Nina_

I received a call and saw it was from my mom.

"Nina?" I answered tentatively.

"Hello. Get ready, I'm coming. Pack all your stuff; we're moving," Mom's urgent voice came through the phone.

"Again?" I sighed, frustration creeping into my tone.

"Try to understand, Nina. Things are really complicated right now," Mom pleaded.

"Mum! I finally started making friends, and now you and Dad are ruining everything, like you always do!" I snapped, my emotions boiling over.

"Dear, it's all for you," Mom insisted.

"I don't think so," I retorted bitterly.

"It's for your safety, Nina. You need to understand," Mom reasoned.

"I fucking hate you!" I shouted, unable to contain my anger any longer.

I slammed the phone down on the bed, feeling a mix of resentment and helplessness. Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself amidst the chaos of emotions swirling inside me.

I Don't want to.

I reluctantly began packing my belongings, feeling like I had no other option. As I stuffed clothes into my suitcase, thoughts of Ethan raced through my mind incessantly.

Mom arrived, and together we left the house. I slumped into the car seat and turned to face her. "Do we really have to do this?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice as confusion gnawed at me.

"You'll understand soon, dear," she replied cryptically.

I sighed heavily and turned to look out of the window. I tried to distract myself with better thoughts, but my mind kept circling back to Ethan and me, which only worsened my mood. By the time we reached the airport and unloaded our luggage, I was preoccupied with organizing our belongings to keep my mind off things.

After a long, exhausting flight, we finally arrived. Stepping out of the airport, everything felt surreal. My mind was a blank slate—I was merely going through the motions, following instructions. Just moments ago, I had been talking to my mum; now, it all seemed distant, like a dream.

"Did everything happen too quickly, or did I just zone out for a while?" I wondered aloud.

Time felt to be speed up. I glanced down at my feet, and there it was: the shoe Ethan had given me.

You're always so clumsy; you need someone to take care of you.

Does.. he know we've moved cities again?

I wasn't sure. And honestly, I didn't want to know.

My dream was to visit Paris, and now that I'm finally here, I find myself disillusioned. Another change in my life, but I know Paris is where I belong now, where my parents won't uproot us again.

It was the last move. I made a mistake before coming to Paris—I fell in love.

Days turned into nights, but I was consumed with frustration at myself for falling in love with him. Everything reminded me of him, no matter when or where, my thoughts invariably drifted to him.

I couldn't continue like this. I tried to reach out to him, but for my safety, they had changed my contacts and everything else. I forced myself to hate him.

In order to find peace, I had to. Everything happened so quickly; it felt like I had met him just yesterday.

I warned myself not to fall in love again. It's not like I've fallen in love a thousand times or anything, but everything around me reminded me of him.