Echoes of a Heartbeat [LingOrm]

Tears of Sacrifice

Ling's pov

"Ling!" Tom's voice was soft, yet urgent as he gently shook me awake. The moment I opened my eyes, the sight of him sent a jolt of fear through me. Tom was as white as a ghost, his face drained of all color.

"Tom? What's happening? Are you okay?" I asked, my voice trembling with concern.

"Ling... Mom is here," he said, each word heavy with dread. The fear in his eyes mirrored my own as I realized why he looked so shaken.

"Shit! Why?" My voice was a frantic whisper as panic clawed at my chest.

"I don't know, but she wants to talk to you... about Orm."

My heart sank as memories of our last conversation came rushing back.

Flashback on

"I'm so glad you got into the university you wanted," Mom said, her voice dripping with that honeyed sweetness she reserved for rare moments of approval.

"Me too, Mom," I replied, trying to keep my tone light. "Are you okay with me going to another country?"

"If it's for your studies, I'm fine with it," she said, pulling me into a tight embrace. "Besides, maybe you'll find your future husband there."

Her words, meant as a loving tease, only filled me with dread. "Mom, you know I don't like men," I replied, my voice betraying my discomfort.

"Oh, sweetie, you're just confused," she said in that same sugary tone, brushing off my words as if they were nothing. "Besides, Win is there. Maybe you two could hang out—give him a try, sweetie."

I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. "Okay, Mom. I'll try," I lied, knowing full well that she'd never discover if I kissed a girl there

Flashback off

But she discovered 

As I descended the stairs, the smell of her perfume hit me, making the reality of the situation even more suffocating. There she was, standing in the living room like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury.

"H-hi, Mom," I greeted her, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Can you explain what this is?" she snapped, holding up a photo of Orm and me at her family's event—an intimate moment captured in a way that left no room for doubt.

"That's not me," I lied, my voice trembling.

"Stop lying! Did that monster teach you this?" she spat, venom dripping from every word as she referred to Orm.

"Monster?! Do you even know who the real monster is?!" I shot back, my composure slipping away as anger and fear collided within me.

"See? She's already poisoned your mind!" Mom's voice rose, her sweet demeanor now replaced by cold, hard fury. "I didn't raise a lesbian or whatever you think you are! And where is Win?"

"Mom, I don't love Win! I love Orm!" The words burst out of me, my voice breaking as tears began to spill down my cheeks.

"You don't even know what love is," she said, her voice chillingly calm now. "You're just a child. Break up with that monster, or I'll do it for you."

"Never!" I screamed through my tears, the word tearing out of me like a desperate plea.

A sharp knock at the door made me flinch. I knew it was Orm. I tried to stop my mom, but she was already moving toward the door, her determination frightening.

"I'll open this door, and you will break up with her. Or else, you're coming home with me," she said coldly, yanking the door open to reveal Orm, who looked as innocent and beautiful as ever.

"Ling!" Orm's voice was filled with concern as she ran to me, pulling me into a warm embrace. "Hey, sweetie, what's happening? Why are you crying?"

"Orm," I began, struggling to keep my voice steady despite the tears that streamed down my face. "Let's break up."

"What? No, no way! Why? Did I do something wrong?" Her voice was trembling, tears already welling in her eyes.

"You didn't. We're just not meant to be together—we never were." The lie felt like a knife twisting in my heart, but I had to protect her from whatever cruel thing my mother might say next.

"But... But you said you loved me," Orm whispered, her tears falling freely now.

My heart broke as I stood there, silent and sobbing. But my mother, always impatient, decided to drive the knife deeper.

"She doesn't love you," Mom spat, her words like ice.

"Wait, what? Baby, you love me, right?" Orm's voice was so soft, so fragile, it shattered what was left of my heart.

But I couldn't answer. I couldn't bring myself to say anything, knowing my mother was right there, ready to crush whatever hope Orm had left.

"After everything... you're telling me you never loved me?" she asked, her voice a mix of heartbreak and anger.

I stood there, crying, wishing with every fiber of my being that I could take it all back.

"Thanks, Kwong. Thanks for destroying my heart. Again! Don't come crawling back if that's your final decision," Orm said, her voice filled with a pain that mirrored my own. Then she stormed out, leaving me feeling more alone than ever.

In my mind, I screamed her name, I begged her to come back, I confessed that it was all a lie. But I knew she'd never believe me now.

"You won't regret this, my daughter," Mom said as she closed the door, her voice devoid of any warmth.

But I was already drowning in regret. "But Mom, I love her!" I screamed, the pain in my throat almost unbearable.

"And did she love you?" she retorted, her tone cold and unfeeling. "If she truly loves you, she'll accept you back after this. If not... consider yourself married to Metawin." With that, she turned and left the house, leaving me in a shattered silence.

The weight of her words crushed me as the door closed behind her. I collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down my face as the reality of what I'd just lost sank in.

I'd just broken my own heart, and Orm's, all to satisfy a woman who would never understand the love I had for Orm