Tied To You

G

Author's Note: Three more chapters until we go back to reality. So enjoy the past for right now.

Indifference

It was one of those sleepless nights for Elena Montenegro. The whole house was quiet as she made her way through the halls of the second floor of the house. She slipped her head into her daughter Ava's bedroom, she was fast asleep with a book in her hand. Elena couldn't help but smile seeing her daughter sleeping soundly. She silently closed the door and made her way to room adjacent from Ava's. Sadness took over as she looked inside an empty room containing only a bed. It was Evan's room and it had only been three months since he left the house. She felt really guilty not defending her son, but she had no say in the choices her family makes. She didn't blame him for not coming to Ava's 16th Birthday. A tear fell from her eyes as she reminisced her son packing all his belongings. For days she stayed in her room and didn't leave unless she wanted to eat or use the bathroom. Evan leaving took a huge toll on her. She silently closed the door of Evan's room to prevent herself from crying even more. Along the hall Elena walks to her husband's study. The door was slightly open and she can see the dim light from his desk lamp illuminate through the hall. She glanced inside to see her husband Alvin, asleep on his executive chair. He would often take his work home and spend hours working, taking a break when dinner was served. Then he would go back to work until he fell asleep. She walked into Alvin's study to wake him up, when something caught her eye. It wasn't her intention to meddle into her husband's work but seeing her daughter's name on a pair of legal documents really took her by surprise. She was lucky her husband was a heavy sleeper, otherwise he would be able to feel her taking out the file from under his arms.

She scanned each page of the document carefully. It read of Ava's arrange marriage to Michael Solis come her 18th birthday. The document listed the several liabilities, consequences for breach of contract, marital benefits, and so on. On the very last page, was Alvin's signature, it was still fresh meaning he just signed it. She didn't notice that her husband was looking at her. He saw how hurt she was.

"Why Alvin?" She cried. "Haven't you learned anything after Evan left?!" She threw the document on his desk.

"Elena, I am trying to protect every single asset we have." He explained to his wife trying to hug her, but she resisted his touch.

"You thought about yourself again Alvin! What about Ava?! She's innocent in all this. I want her to live a normal life. The life we couldn't have. But you're slowly pushing out kids away. First Evan, and I wouldn't be surprised if one day Ava walks out on us." She was a bit calmer now, but the tears were still evident in her eyes.

"Stop trying to meddle into our children's lives. I know you're trying to do what's best, but what you're doing is driving our kids away. I want to understand you, but I've had enough of people trying to use my children for their own personal use. My kids are not toys you can give away when they are no longer of good use. My children are human beings, human beings with emotions." She was about to walk out when Alvin grabbed her arm.

"I'm sorry honey. I was selfish I didn't consider how Ava felt." He looks at his wife in the eye. Her face was expressionless but her eyes spoke of anger.

"You always say that! You said that with Evan. You're sorry doesn't mean anything. Once you signed your name on that contract everything became set and stone. Our daughter will no longer enjoy what it's like being a teenager, or what it's like to make friends, go to parties. You deprived her if her basic freedom!" He saw the anger in his wife's eyes. Seeing his wife in pain made him feel guilty about his choices.

"Next time you want to make choices regarding our children, please consult with me. Cause this marriage will not last of you keep thinking like a businessman or politician. Think like a husband and father. Cause I am slowly losing the man I love. Please don't be like your father." With that she walked away.

Elena walked into Ava's room with so much emotional pain. She laid in her daughter's bed and snuggled Ava into her arms. Ava woke up to her mother's sobs and warm embrace. "Mom why are you crying?" Ava turned to her mother, who was crying.

"I'm okay Ava. I just don't want to lose you, like what happened to your brother." She tightened the embrace and Ava joined her arms. "Don't worry mom, I won't leave." Her words gave her mother assurance. Hearing Ava say that give her mother relief knowing that she'll have Ava. But it still hurts that she can't do any thing to stop Ava from getting married to Michael. The deal is already set and stone.