“I worry for you, Maddie. As much as I love that you’ll have your own family with the man you’re in love with, I fear you’ll forever be trapped in a world where you feel you don’t belong.”
“It’s not a prison, Zoe. I looked it up. Sintarah is a very modern country compared to others with the same culture and religion. Divorce is allowed, and women are no longer left unprotected regarding their children, as used to happen in the past. It’s an agreement between the spouses and their respective lawyers.”
“I know it’s necessary, and you might call me foolish, but I don’t think it’s very promising that they haven’t even officially announced the engagement and yet you’re already considering divorce.”
“I’m not. You’re the one who brought it up. I’m going to do my best to make our relationship work, but like you, I have issues dealing with rejection. I agreed to marry him because I’m committed to making what we have work, but I don’t know if I can stay with someone who doesn’t love me forever.”
“There are no guarantees when it comes to relationships, Maddie. Love ends, but it also begins. Open your mind and believe in what you both have.”
“That’s what I intend to do. Now, will you be able to come for the engagement?”
“When will it be?”
“Within a week at most, according to what Kamal told me.”
“I need to check with Christos, but I think we’ll come. I’m dying to see what an engagement is like in such a culturally rich country.”
I chuckle. “Only you can make me relax amidst all this tension.”
“You can’t be tense like this, Maddie. Pregnancy is a long-term event, and we already have enough stress with the changes in our bodies and the hormonal war going on inside. Try to relax. Maybe try practicing yoga.”
“Zoe, did you forget you’re talking tome? I’ve never exercised in my life, except in school, and only because it was mandatory.”
“Yoga is not just to keep your body in shape but your mind as well. I’ve had fewer anxiety attacks since I started taking classes.” She pauses for a moment. “And not to add to your tension, but when do you plan on telling your mother about the engagement? You said you wanted to come to Boston and tell her in person, but once Kamal announces it, celebrity magazines all over the world will explode with the news because your father is in the middle of a shitstorm.”
I sigh, knowing she has a point. “I’ll call her today. There’s no point in trying to postpone it anyway. As for the engagement, I’ll confirm the date with Kamal and let you know, okay?”
“Okay, love. Let me know if you need anything.”
After ending the call, I stare at the phone in my hand, terribly nervous but knowing I can’t avoid confronting Adley Turner-Miller, also known as my mother.
Tapping the screen, I look for the speed dial contacts and take a deep breath to gather courage.
The phone rings at least ten times before she answers.
“Madeline? Why are you calling me at this hour? Don’t you know I don’t like to wake up early?”
I completely forgot about the seven-hour time difference to Boston, but that doesn’t change my mood. It’s eight in the morning there now. Notthatearly.
“I know, Mom, but we need to talk.”
Chapter 36
I silently ask God for forgiveness because I don’t want to feel this way. After all, I’m talking to the woman who gave birth to me, but just hearing her voice makes me want to say it was a mistake and hang up.
When I lived with them, I didn’t grasp how toxic our family relationship was. I thought toxic relationships were only between couples, but now I realize they can happen with anyone. Even among friends or, in my case, family.
“What could be so important that you’re interrupting my sleep?”
“I’m your only daughter. How can you speak to me like that? Funny how you always demanded I behaved well but you don’t notice how you act. How rude you are.”
“Madeline, I’m not in the mood for your drama this early in the morning. Unless you called to tell me that this boyfriend you found in England can somehow help your father.”
“What?”
“You heard me. We already know everything here in Boston. High society can’t stop talking about how you’re involved with this man who isn’t even a Christian.”
That makes my blood boil. “I thought the high society of Boston, in fact, of the entire nation, would be more concerned that my father could be arrested at any moment for defrauding and harming thousands of people across the country.”
