“No, he hasn’t. He’s finally given me space to be free.”
“Stockholm Syndrome is a very real and scary thing, Amy.” Her mother is crying now, big fat tears rolling down her cheeks. “You need to come home to us. This is serious. I had to get areturn flight in order to be allowed in the country, but it’s in a week. We can get you on that flight, too. You can come home with me and be safe.”
Amy pauses, her breath hitching. I can see the flicker of hesitation in her eyes as she considers her mother’s words. Fear spikes through me.What if she believes her mother’s words? Do I let her go? Do I try to convince her it isn’t true? I haven’t done that to her, have I?
Just as panic begins to build up my throat, making my entire chest feel tight, Amy narrows her eyes and steps up to her mother. “I blocked your number. Even if weweregetting married this weekend, I wouldn’t want you there.”
Her mother gasps and steps back. “Amy! What has possessed you to say such a cruel thing! I am your mother, I have loved and cared for you your entire life, just comehometo our little apartment?—”
“Why? So you guys can sell me off to the next highest bidder? So you can hide wealth from me and lie more? So you can tell me how awful my grandparents are all while working for them and making more money than you ever let me believe we had?” Amy’s tone is colder than I’ve ever heard it. Pride fills me and relieves the pressure in my chest.
Her mother blanches and she dashes the tears away on her cheeks. “Is that what he told you?”
Amy arches a brow. “Are you denying it? You told me you knew about the arranged marriage yourself. You’re the one who left me out to dry when my grandparents decided my life would be a good pawn in their little game.”
A muscle in her mother’s jaw ticks. “Things are more complicated than that, Amy?—”
“So you’re not denying it.”
“Well, no, but it’s just black and white like that, it’s always been in your best interest.”
Amy laughs. It’s mirthless and bitter, and I can see tears are forming in the corner of her eyes. I’m about ready to force this woman out of here. My eyes remain locked on Amy’s face, just looking for the slightest signal that she’s done. I’ll drag the woman off of my property if I have to, since she’s onmydriveway outside ofmygate. “You aresucha liar. I can’t believe how much I didn’t see it before. In my best interest? As fucking if. Get out.”
Her mother’s face turns red with anger, and she steps towards Amy. I don’t hesitate to pull the gun from its holster under my sweater, making the woman’s face drain of all color. She steps back and holds up her hands as she realizes that she’s surrounded by not just me, but Jack and two other guards, too, who are now all pulling their guns out. What shedoesn’tknow is that there’s numerous other armed personnel in various positions with heavy firearms trained on her, too.
I put my gun away when she steps back, but that doesn’t mean I’m not watching her closely. “Please. Amy. Did you see that reaction? That’s kidnapping! They’re guarding you!”
Amy scoffs and shakes her head. “Yes, they’re guarding me. From an angry woman who just stepped threateningly towards me right after I told her to get out. They’re just doing their jobs. Now, I told you to get out. Don’t bother trying to contact me, I blocked your numbers. All of you.”
Her mother’s lip wobbles. “Y-You’re not even going to let us be at your wedding?”
Amy holds up her hand, showing the beautiful wedding set I got her, sapphire dazzling on her hand. “Too late, Mom. We’re already happily married and have been. I guess my grandfather doesn’t hear about everything, does he? The event that’s coming up has nothing to do with me.”
Her mother gawks at her in shock, and then stumbles back towards her car, as if it’s finally sinking in that Amy isn’t goingto put up with her bullshit anymore. She drives off without even a goodbye. As soon as she realized she wasn’t able to get what she wanted, she didn’t even try to pretend to be a good mother anymore.
Amy’s whole posture deflates as soon as her mother’s car is out of sight. I wrap my arm around her, and she practically sags into me. I lead her back behind the gate and towards the house. It clearly took everything within her to do that, and I couldn’t be prouder. I kiss her hair gently. “You did good. You handled that so well,” I whisper to her.
She turns her head into my shoulder and a sob rips through her. My hold on her tightens as I wave off the guards and Jack, wanting her to have privacy for the outpouring of her emotions. I guide her up to our room and close the door, helping her slip off her shoes before tucking her into bed and crawling in beside her.
I’m not sure how long I hold her. It could be around an hour, but her weeping ebbs and flows, and I don’t mind being able to just be here for her.
At some point, I text Marjorie to give her an update. I know her and Amy have become close over the past few weeks. Maybe a sense of family and having an emotional support dog in Bunny, Marjorie’s pet, would be beneficial.
As my aunt always does, she shows up thirty minutes after I text her.I’m downstairs with food and Bunny. Take your time.
I rub Amy’s back, occasionally kissing her forehead or her hair. She seems upset still, but a lot calmer than she was before. “Are you hungry?”
Amy pauses and then shakes her head no.
“Hm. Want to watch a movie and cuddle Bunny?”
Amy looks up at me with those familiar doe eyes, red from crying, making my heart clench. “Bunny?”
I nod. “My aunt is here. I thought maybe a couple of friendly faces, including a puppy one, would be nice for you. And of course, in classic Marjorie fashion, she brought food.”
Amy exhales and pushes herself up. “Oh. Okay. I-I’ll go wash my face and put myself together.” She grimaces and wipes at my shirt. “I got snot and stuff all over you. Sorry.”
I wave her off. “That’s okay, love. I’d let you blow your nose into my sweater if that’s what made you feel better. Anything to make sure you know you’re loved.” I catch her wrist before she can pull away. “You do whatever makes you feel better, but Marjorie knows what happened. She isn’t expecting you to beput together,okay? She’s here to support you, just as you are. The real you, you know?”
