Aurelia sat curled up on the couch, the glow of the TV lighting up the dimly lit living room. She had one hand tucked into the oversized pocket of her hoodie, the other holding the remote as Netflix played some random series she had already seen a dozen times. Franco was in the shower, his voice humming along to some tune she couldn't make out through the sound of the water. She liked these moments—when everything was calm, and it was just her, Franco's presence in the background, and the faint flicker of the TV. It was the most normal she ever felt, wrapped up in her cocoon of comfort and silence.
Her phone buzzed from the coffee table, vibrating loud enough to snap her out of her daze. She glanced at it, seeing "Mom" flash across the screen. Her stomach twisted. She hadn't heard from her mom in weeks, which usually meant one thing: her mother needed something, and it was never good.
Aurelia hesitated before picking it up, letting it ring one more time before she swiped to answer.
"Hey, Mom," she greeted quietly, already bracing herself for whatever was coming.
"Finally, you pick up. You've been ignoring my calls," her mother's voice snapped from the other end.
Aurelia bit her lip, trying to keep her cool. "I've just been busy, that's all."
"Well, you're never too busy for this family, are you?"
She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar weight of guilt sink in. "What do you need?"
There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by a sigh. "Annora, Arabella, and April aren't pulling in enough money anymore. Two grand each? It's pathetic. They're barely keeping up, and I've got bills to pay, Aurelia. You know how it is."
Aurelia tensed. Her mind raced back to her sisters—Annora, 16; Arabella, 17; April, 14. They had been dragged into this mess just like her, forced into the same degrading routine to make ends meet because their mother had decided that exploiting her daughters was the easiest way to pay for the lifestyle she refused to give up. Aurelia had been the third, the most successful, the one who brought in the real money. But she had quit. She couldn't do it anymore, couldn't bear the thought of it. That's when she started wearing hoodies and sweatpants all the time, hiding herself away from the world. Franco had been her anchor, the only thing keeping her afloat in a sea of shame and regret.
"No, Mom, I told you I'm done with that," Aurelia said firmly, her voice shaking despite her best efforts.
"You don't get to be done," her mother snapped. "Do you think we can survive without you? Your sisters are struggling, and it's not enough. You're the one who made real money. You need to step up. Just one post, Aurelia. One. You owe us that much."
"I don't owe you anything!" Aurelia's voice cracked as she stood up, pacing the living room now, her heart pounding. She could hear the water still running in the bathroom, could still hear Franco humming, completely oblivious to the hellstorm going on.
"You wouldn't have had anything if it weren't for me," her mom continued, her voice icy and manipulative. "Don't forget who got you started, who put food on the table when you were younger. Don't be selfish now."
Aurelia felt tears sting the corners of her eyes. She didn't want to cry, didn't want to break down. But it was always the same. Her mom knew exactly what buttons to push, how to make her feel like she was responsible for everything falling apart. She hated it. Hated how powerless she felt every time her mom pulled this.
"Mom, please..." Aurelia whispered, her voice barely audible.
"No, Aurelia. You need to do this. Post something. Now. Or do you want your sisters to starve? I know you don't want to see them fail."
Aurelia couldn't breathe. She knew her mom was manipulating her, knew exactly what was happening. But the guilt gnawed at her insides anyway. Annora, Arabella, and April didn't deserve this either, but how could she be the one to save them every time? Why did it always have to be her?
"I'll... I'll think about it," Aurelia stammered, her hand shaking as she gripped the phone.
"Good. And don't take too long. Time is money, Aurelia."
The line went dead.
Aurelia dropped the phone onto the couch, her hands going to her face as the tears started to fall. She collapsed onto the cushions, curling up in a ball, trying to suppress the sobs that wracked her body. She had promised herself she wouldn't go back, that she wouldn't let her mom drag her into this again. But now here she was, trapped, forced to make a decision that tore her apart.
The bathroom door creaked open, and Franco stepped out, towel wrapped around his waist, his hair still dripping wet. He froze when he saw her curled up on the couch, her body shaking with quiet sobs.
"Hey, hey, baby, what's wrong?" he asked, rushing over to her side, sitting down beside her and pulling her into his arms.
Aurelia clung to him, burying her face in his chest, the tears flowing freely now. "It's my mom... she called... she wants me to... she wants me to do it again," she sobbed.
Franco's arms tightened around her, his expression darkening. He didn't need to ask what she meant. He knew. He knew everything. He had been the one to help her when she finally got out, the one to support her when she couldn't even look at herself in the mirror anymore. He knew how much this had destroyed her, and hearing that her mom was dragging her back into it lit a fire of anger inside him.
"No. No, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do," Franco said firmly, holding her tighter. "She can't make you."
"She can," Aurelia choked out. "She always does. My sisters... they need me. I don't know what to do."
Franco pulled back slightly, lifting her chin so he could look her in the eyes. "Aurelia, listen to me. You don't owe her anything. You don't have to do this. We'll figure something else out. I'm here, okay? You don't have to go through this alone."
Aurelia shook her head, fresh tears streaming down her face. "It's not that easy, Franco. She'll never stop. She'll never leave me alone."
Franco wiped her tears with his thumb, his heart breaking for her. "We'll find a way. You're strong, Aurelia. You've come this far. Don't let her pull you back."
But deep down, Aurelia felt defeated. She didn't know how to fight this. She didn't know how to stand up to her mom, not when her family's well-being was hanging in the balance. After a few more moments in Franco's arms, she pulled away, grabbing her phone.
"I'll just do it. One post," she said softly, her voice void of any emotion now, just numbness. "Maybe then she'll stop for a while."
Franco opened his mouth to argue, to tell her she didn't have to, but he saw the look in her eyes—the resignation, the exhaustion. He knew she wasn't ready to fight today. All he could do was be there for her when it was over.
As Aurelia opened the app, her hands shaking, Franco stayed beside her, holding her hand, refusing to let her feel alone in this moment. But inside, his heart broke for the girl he loved—trapped, yet again, by the very person who was supposed to protect her.
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