Before Her Eyes

Chapter 23

I couldn't stop thinking about what the man at the park had said.

"I think Dana Kidnapped you," His words replayed in my head.

I felt really bad that he lost two very important people, but to stalk someone and accuse their mom of kidnapping is where I drew the line.

He was just hurt and wanted someone else to feel his same pain. Maybe this is one of the things Dana wanted to protect me from. But then I also couldn't help but think of all the pieces I was still missing.

What favor did Dana need from Mr. Vitale?

Why did Dana tell me I was allergic to alcohol?

Why haven't I seen any pictures of me as a baby?

Why isn't there any proof of Dana actually being pregnant with me?

If Dana wasn't able to have kids, how did she have me?

"You haven't touched your food," Dana said, interrupting my thoughts.

"Hm?" I asked again when I realized she was talking to me.

"Your food, you haven't touched it."

"I'm just not that hungry," I said, pushing my plate away.

"What's wrong?" She frowned.

"Nothing," That was the furthest thing from the truth.

"Something is obviously bothering you."

"Nothing bothering me, I promise."

She stared at me before taking a sip of her red wine that sat next to her plate of steak and mashed potatoes.

When she placed her wine glass down, I decided to reach for it and bring it to my lips, carefully studying her reaction.

"What the hell are you doing?" She scowled.

I didn't answer, I only continued to tip the glass even further until the red liquid was completely gone.

"Come on!" She said after she jumped up from her seat, making a screech against the wood.

I yanked my arm from her hold and said, "No!"

"We need to go to the hospital!" She said with wild eyes and attempted to grab me again, but I moved my arm away.

"I'm fine!" I yelled.

Her face faltered before firmly saying, "You need to see a doctor."

"Nothing is going to happen to me Dana. You already knew that though, didn't you?" I accused her.

"What are you talking about?" She frowned.

"You lied to me Dana. I'm not allergic to alcohol. It was just another way for you to control me," I pointed a finger at her.

Her face turned up in disgust like I wrongfully accused her of lying to me.

"I have never lied to you. You are allergic. Or at least you were...."

"How? I have never even tried alcohol until now?"

That was a lie, but she didn't need to know that. I didn't want to give her another reason to keep me locked up in this house longer than what she had originally planned.

"You have tried it once before when you were 9. You got into my wine thinking it was grape juice. I remember you could hardly breathe, and you were covered in rashes. Luckily, I got you to the hospital in time. Dr Hughes said If I didn't bring you when I did, you would've died."

I felt conflicted by what she was saying. I knew I'm not the best at remembering things, but I knew that was something I would've remembered. I was also a rule follower. Dana always warned me of the consequences, making me too scared to ever break the rules, until now anyway. Now I knew how much exactly I could get away with.

I knew what she was saying wasn't true, but the emotion in her voice almost convinced me that maybe I truly hadn't remembered.

"Where are all my baby photos?" flew out of my mouth.

"Where is all of this coming from?"

"I have never seen any pictures from when I was little. There are no ultrasound pictures. No pictures of you pregnant with me. It's like I don't exist."

"You know where all of our photos are. There at my parents."

"And why haven't you got them back?"

"They aren't worth getting," She simply stated.

"I'm not worth it?"

"No."

I frowned at her words.

"Not like that. Seeing my parents isn't worth it. I have the memories of the photos, and I have you. That's all I need."

Maybe she was telling the truth. Or maybe she wasn't.

I wanted to cry in frustration, feeling conflicted with everything that's been told to me. I didn't know what to believe anymore. I didn't believe Ivan at first but the more I sat and thought about everything, the more things weren't adding up, but when I asked Dana about it she got all emotional like she was telling the truth.

"I'm sorry," I shook my head and lightly tugged on my hair.

"It's ok. We all push the things that are best for us away sometimes," She said. The funny thing was I never pushed her away. She was the one who pushed me.

"I've noticed how much you've been distant lately. You barely eat, and you stay in your room. Did something happen on your birthday?"

"No. It's actually the most fun I've had in a while."

"Hunter and I did a little bit of shopping, and then we went out for food," I lied effortlessly.

She displayed a look of guilt and cleared her throat.

"Well, I think there's something that could cheer you up. Even better than some silly little shopping spree."

"What....?" I asked cautiously.

"A vacation."

I didn't know how to feel. She keeps me locked up, and now, all of sudden, she wants to take me on vacation. On the other hand, it would maybe help me forget everything that's been occupying my mind.

"I think it will do both of us some good. A change of scenery. An opportunity to take photos and put them in a photo album just for you. How does that sound?"

"Where?"

"That's a surprise."

"Italy?"

'Is that where you want to go?"

"Maybe South Korea."

"I guess you'll just have to pack your bags and wait and see." She smiled.

"Seriously?"

She nodded in confirmation.

"When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning, but there's one condition."

"What?"

"No phones. Both of our phones will stay here."

"But how will we get around?" I frowned.

"The same way everyone did before they had phones."

"But how w-"

"We'll figure it out along the way."

I nodded, "I should probably start packing then."

"Phone," She held out her hand.

I slid my phone over to her and put it in her pocket. I didn't like the idea that I wasn't able to text Valon or Hunter about the vacation, although I probably wouldn't have anyways.

"Make sure you try and get some rest, we'll have a long flight ahead of us," She said and then placed a kiss on my head, grabbing all the dishes and taking them to the sink.

🥀🥀🥀

A/N: AND THE SHOW GOES ON!!!

I can't believe I found the rest of my book (I didn't realize I had a copy saved to my phone and randomly found it), it literally feels like Christmas. The rest of the chapters should be uploaded directly after this one. Enjoy!