Blinded

Chapter 20

KAYLA POV

The next day, everything shifted.

I was sitting in the living room when I got a text from my mom. She'd flown in for just a day to handle some work, but today was supposed to be the one day we'd set aside to finalize my graduation plan. When I saw her name pop up on my screen, my heart felt lighter—but I knew the conversation wouldn't be easy.

When the doorbell rang, I rushed to open it. There she was—standing in the doorway with her suitcase, looking like she'd just stepped off a flight from another world. Dressed in her usual work attire—elegant but practical—she gave me a soft look, and I couldn't help but grin.

"Hey, kiddo," she said, dropping her bag and pulling me into a quick hug. "I missed you."

"Missed you too," I replied. "You ready to get this thing sorted out?"

She nodded. "Absolutely. Let's do it."

We spent hours in the kitchen, combing through credits, online coursework, and final steps for me to walk across that stage. I had everything prepared—this was the last thing. All we needed was her signature.

I opened my laptop and pulled up the final form. She sat beside me, but something about her felt... off. Her eyes were distant, her smile faint.

"Everything good?" I asked.

She gave a quick nod. "Yeah, just work stuff. You know how it is."

I didn't press. I hit "send" on the DocuSign request, but even as she signed it, I saw the tension in her shoulders.

"You okay?" I asked again, this time softer.

She sighed. "There's something I need to tell you."

My heart dropped. "What's going on?"

She hesitated, fingers tapping her phone. "I can't make it to your graduation."

I blinked. "What do you mean? You're my mom. You have to be there."

Her eyes met mine, filled with regret. "I have an event I can't cancel. It's a major work thing. I'm so sorry, honey. But I won't be able to attend."

Everything in me froze. The excitement I'd built up shattered in an instant. "So you're just... not going to show up?"

She stood, stepping closer. "Kayla, I'm doing everything I can, but this is something I can't change. Work comes first."

The words stung more than I thought they would. I stood abruptly, anger rising. "I can't believe this."

I grabbed my keys off the counter and stormed out the door. I needed air. I needed distance.

The night was warm as I slid into my car and slammed the door shut. My hands trembled as I started the engine. I didn't have a destination—just the need to feel something other than this gnawing disappointment.

I pressed the pedal to the floor, speeding down the freeway. The blur of lights, the hum of the tires—it was all a distraction from the ache in my chest. I didn't care how fast I was going. I just needed out.

I snapped a photo of the speedometer, the needle past 100 mph, and posted it to my story. "Don't ask."

A second later, my phone buzzed.

Clarence: What the heck is going on, Kayla? Why are you driving like that?

I ignored it at first, letting the phone buzz on the seat beside me.

Then it buzzed again—FaceTime.

I sighed and swiped to answer.

Clarence's face filled the screen, his expression twisted in concern. "Kayla? What the hell is going on? Where are you?"