Turn Away | c.h

Chapter 58 - Where Is My Mind?

terrible chapter, but also kinda intense
i hope you enjoy my angels

«Calum's pov»

I held Stella as she clung onto my clothes, her breath heavy. Her bloodshot eyes reappeared as she looked around the small room.

She'd dragged me away to an empty room to gather herself. She was an emotionally vulnerable mess since she had seen her mother standing in the doorway- it was not the reunion she expected. Not now, and probably not ever. I wanted to reunite them last night because Anne Marie seemed as though she knew so much more about Stella's situation than I ever would. After all, she's her mother.

"Can you ask her to leave? O-or tell her? I don't understand... I don't- how do you guys even know each other?" She messily said, looking up at me. I tucked her hair behind her ear, gently wiping her tear away.

"I've known her for about a year... I had no idea she was your mother, Stel."

"Ah, god," she breathed, squeezing her eyes shut. "I don't feel good."

"I'll get Anne Marie." I softly said, lovingly squeezing her hand before stepping away from her.

"No. I don't want to see her Calum, she left my life for a reason."

"Stella, she's here to help you." I attempted to explain, waiting as her powdery blue eyes faltered continuously. She was weaker than ever.

"H-how?" She sniffed, looking up at me with some form of panic. I couldn't stop myself from reaching out to comfort her, I hated how upset she was. I should've known that her mother was her weak spot, this had the potential to absolutely break her past the point of return. But I had to help her, I would do anything to stop the devil from taking her away from me.

"Do you trust me?" I said, pushing the hair from her face as she stood before me. Stella nodded up at me desperately.

"Of course."

"Then trust me- she's here to help you. Not as your mother, but as someone here to help you."

Stella let out a heavy breath, closing her eyes as she regathered herself before my very eyes. I ran my hand up and down her arm, attempting to comfort her as I felt her thoughts running a thousand miles.

"Okay." She breathed, reopening her eyes. "But I'm leaving the room if I feel like I can't handle it, okay?"

"Of course. I'll ask her to leave whenever you don't want her around anymore." I said, grateful she agreed to talk to her. It was honestly my last resort.

She nodded, straightening herself out before wiping away the tear streaks from under her eyes. Stella adjusted the shirt that hugged her body, flattening down her hair along the way. I watched her, softly smiling as she looked up at me for reassurance.

"Do I look okay?"

"You look like the strong, beautiful, smart woman you are, Stel." I reassured, watching as a flicker of a smile crossed her lips. She took my hand, nodding her head as I grabbed the doorknob and gently pulled open the door. Stella hesitantly followed me out, her body taking slower, drawn out steps. I followed her the whole way to the couch, letting her go at a pace she was comfortable with; giving her the space to back out if that's what she so wished.