“No,” I said, frustration creeping in. “I’m saying things aren’t black and white. I’m saying I’m an adult and I’m ready to make my own decisions.”
“Andthat’sexactly what terrifies me,” she said, her voice breaking. “You sound like you’re trying to convince yourself that everything will be fine with this man.”
I swallowed hard, gripping the balcony railing. “I can’t do this right now,” I said. “I’m exhausted. I’m trying to breathe for the first time in days.”
“So you’re just running away?” my mother pressed.
“I’m not running,” I said. “I’m… putting things on pause.”
She scoffed. “You’re choosing him over logic.”
“That’s not what I’m doing,” I said, tears pressing behind my eyes. “But you’re not hearing me, and I cannot do this right now. When I get back, we’ll talk then. I promise.”
“When exactly?” she demanded, sharper now.
“When I’m ready,” I said, my voice firm despite the tremble. “Because right now, every conversation turns into a battle, and I can’t survive that on top of everything else. I love you, but I have to go.”
I ended the call, and before I could second-guess myself, before guilt could take root, I blocked her number. Just for now.Just until I could breathe without feeling like I was being pulled apart. I stood there for a moment, chest tight, eyes burning, staring out at the water until the sound of waves steadied me. Then arms wrapped around my waist from behind.
“Hey,” Mora said brightly, resting her chin on my shoulder. “You ready to jet ski or what?”
I inhaled slowly, then exhaled, forcing the knot in my chest down where it belonged. I turned, pasted on a smile that felt almost real. “Yeah,” I said, nodding. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
And just like that, I tucked my emotions away and got ready for the day.
