Beneath His Cold Charm

26

Between Trust and Fear

★★★

It had been a day since Zoey ran away from home. Living at the Struniolos' house offered her a sense of temporary peace, but the thought of returning home haunted her every waking moment. She hadn't heard from her mom since the fight, and a part of her wondered if her mother even knew where she was. But today, Zoey was about to find out.

Her mom had called her earlier in the day, asking to meet up at their usual café. The tone in her mom's voice was different—softer, more hesitant. Zoey wasn't sure what to expect, but she knew she couldn't avoid the conversation any longer.

She arrived at the café a few minutes early, nerves jangling inside her. As she sat down at a table near the window, she noticed her mom approaching, looking more fragile than usual. Her usually neat hair was slightly out of place, and there was a weary sadness in her eyes.

"Mom," Zoey greeted quietly as her mother sat down across from her.

"Zoey," her mom replied, her voice trembling slightly. She reached out, placing a gentle hand on Zoey's. "honey. Are you alright? I've been so worried."

Zoey hesitated. She didn't know how to answer that. "I'm... managing," she said, the uncertainty clear in her voice. "But things are hard, Mom. Really hard."

Her mother sighed deeply, guilt and sadness etched into her face. "I know, Zoey. And I'm sorry. I should've protected you more from your father. I let things get too far, and that's on me."

Zoey's heart sank. Hearing her mom acknowledge the turmoil she had been living through made everything feel real again. "It's not your fault, Mom. Dad's... impossible."

Her mother's hand tightened around Zoey's, and her eyes filled with unshed tears. "That's why I've made a decision, Zoey. I'm divorcing your father."

Zoey blinked, the words hitting her like a tidal wave. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. The idea of her parents splitting up had always seemed like a distant, unreachable possibility. Her father had such a strong hold on their family, it felt impossible to imagine him not being part of their lives.

"You're... divorcing him?" Zoey repeated, her voice barely a whisper.

Her mom nodded, wiping a tear from her cheek. "Yes, sweetie. I should've done it a long time ago. I've stayed for far too many reasons, but none of them are good enough anymore. It's time. I need to protect you, and I need to protect myself."

Zoey felt a rush of emotions—a strange mixture of relief, confusion, and fear. She had spent so long feeling trapped under her father's control, but now that freedom was within reach, she wasn't sure how to feel.

Her mother's voice broke through her thoughts. "I know this won't fix everything, Zoey. But I want you to know that I'm here for you. I'm so sorry for what you've been through. I should've been stronger for you."

For the first time in a long time, Zoey felt the cracks in her emotional wall begin to break. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at her mother. "I didn't think you would ever leave him," Zoey admitted, her voice trembling. "I thought you'd always choose him over me."

Her mother's face softened, and she pulled Zoey into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry you felt that way. But I'm choosing you now, Zoey. I should've chosen you from the start. You're my priority. Always."

Zoey buried her face in her mom's shoulder, finally allowing herself to cry. The pain and fear she had been holding onto for so long seemed to melt away, if only for a moment. Her mother's arms felt safe, comforting her in a way she hadn't felt in years.

After a few minutes, Zoey pulled back, wiping her tears. "What happens now?"

Her mom gave her a soft smile. "I'm going to file for divorce, and we'll figure things out from there. We can find a new place, somewhere safe. You don't have to go back to that house."

Zoey nodded, feeling a strange sense of hope. She had been so afraid of the future, but now that her mom was taking control, things didn't seem so bleak. Maybe there was a way out of this nightmare after all.

"I don't want to go back," Zoey said quietly. "I can't face him."

"You don't have to," her mother reassured her. "You're safe with me, Zoey. We'll get through this. Together."

As they sat there, sipping their coffee and sharing a rare moment of peace, Zoey realized that this might be the turning point she had been waiting for. Her mom was finally stepping up, and for the first time in a long time, Zoey didn't feel so alone.

★★★