Sweet Moana

Chapter 1 ✔️

I used to think a mother was supposed to love her child. Protect them. Keep them safe.
But I was wrong.
My mother didn't love me.
She died with her hands on me.

 Three hours before. . .

The front door slammed open and echoed through the  small house. I was on the couch, pretending to read , but really just counting the seconds until the chaos started.

"Moana!" my mother's voice slurred from the hallway. "Get your fast ass in here and help me!"

She came home late, like always—reeking of cheap liquor, clinging to her boyfriend Larry. They were laughing too loud, stumbling over each other like some kind of twisted dance. Larry always made my skin crawl. He'd look at me in ways no grown man should ever look at a sixteen-year-old girl.

I stood slowly, heart already sinking. Larry followed behind her, grinning like he owned the place.

"Hey there, princess," he said with a wink that made bile rise in my throat. He leaned against the doorframe, eyes dragging over me like I was nothing but meat.

My mother would see it, but instead of blaming him, she blamed me. Like I had asked for it. Like I wanted his eyes on me. But still... she was my mom. And somehow, I still loved her.

"Don't talk to her like that," my mom snapped suddenly it surprised me, she's  never said anything like this before. "She already thinks she's cute. Don't encourage her."

Larry chuckled. "Relax, baby. I'm just saying hi."

"You think I don't see how you look at her?" My mom pointed a shaky finger at me. "You like the attention, don't you?"

I froze. "Mom, I didn't—"

"Don't lie to me!" she screamed, stumbling toward me. "You walk around here like you're some kind of little woman. With your tight clothes and your little smirk. You want him to look at you."

"I don't!" I yelled back, voice shaking. "I didn't do anything! He's the one who—"

A slap cracked across my cheek. I barely saw it coming.

"You don't talk back to me," she hissed. "Not in my house."

"Maybe I should go," Larry muttered, shifting uncomfortably.

"You better," I snapped, glaring at him. "You're the one causing all this."

Larry gave me a smile and wink before running out the door. Unfortunately I wish it was me leaving instead

"Girl, shut up!" My mom turned on me again, eyes wild. "You always run your damn mouth. Maybe if you weren't such a little tease—"

"Enough!" I screamed, tears finally spilling over. "Why are you always blaming me for everything he does? I'm your daughter!"

She shoved me hard. I stumbled back, hitting the edge of the couch.

"You ain't my daughter," she said coldly. "You're a curse. You ruined my life."

My breath caught. The words stung more than the slap.

"I stayed because I thought maybe you'd love me one day," I whispered. "But you don't. You never did, you only care about yourself. Her hand rose again—but then her expression changed. Her mouth opened slightly. Her eyes glazed over.

And then—she dropped.

Hard.

Right there in front of me.

She dropped to the floor like a puppet with cut strings. At first, I thought it was another game—another trick to scare me. But then she didn't move. I knelt down beside her, heart racing, and pressed two fingers to her neck. Nothing.