Page 100 of Promise to Break

The House of Dreams has, in some ways, been my salvation. This place is the last stop. The noise and screams of kids greet me, and I let myself fall into it, into my reality.

I was one of those kids. I am one of those kids. That will never change.

"Maricela, my child. I haven't seen you here for a while," my dear nana calls in her cigarette-infused voice.

This woman taught me a lot about life and its endeavors. In front of her, I let myself fall. I fall and let her scoop me into her arms, hug me, and envelope me in a cocoon of cigarettes and cheap sausages.

"Come. I will make you some floral tea. It's okay to fall down, but you will get up afterward."

She helps me from the floor and takes me to her office. I hated this room when I was a child. It scared me. Now that I'm all grown up, I see it for what it is. Children's drawings are everywhere that she never throws away, no matter how messy it makes the walls look, and a jar of lollipops that never empties sits on the desk. My sanctuary.

"Raven, tell her, please."

I sit on a wooden stool, listening to the fight about food and games from the other side of a thin wall. It's never boring here, and it gives me solace I didn't know I needed.

Life goes on even when what I let myself believe in wholeheartedly is a lie. Killian Fierro is a liar, and I love him. I love him. I love him. Even though I want to hate him.

"Maricela," Nana starts, but I shake my head. I can't hear any platitudes right now. I need to suffer for a few hours first, and then I'll start my new life, far away from him, far away from everything.

It takes me almost a full day to return to the Fierro mansion. It's funny how I've never seen it as a home, or more specifically, my home. I've never truly had one.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" I shake my head at Raven. I don't think I've spoken much at all over the last twenty-four hours, but she hasn't pushed me. She just fed me and the kids with sweets and gave me whatever she thought I needed.

"I'll be okay."

"I know you're strong, but I want you to remember something. I'm your friend. Fuck Killian." His name makes me flinch, but she continues, not because she didn't notice but because she wants to make a point. "He'll regret it in the long run. He lost the best woman he had the chance to love. You are worthy," she tells me, not for the first time.

Oh, how the roles have reversed. I was always the one telling her how beautiful and worthy she is, while never believing it about myself. It's easy to think about the people you love and to do what you can to make them feel better about themselves. It's another story entirely to feel good about yourself.

She wraps me in an embrace. "I need you to be okay."

"I will. Haven't you heard? I'm unbreakable."

After saying my goodbyes, I go directly to see Connie and Serena, just to find the room empty. She's probably gone to some charity event.

I go to my room next and begin packing everything I own. I haven't accumulated many things over the past two years, so the only stuff I consider mine is the first camera I got with my own money, the pictures I took, and the clothing I purchased at Goodwill.

I pull a small suitcase from the closet and start to put a few pairs of jeans and T-shirts inside. I don't take much care with those, but I am careful to pack each photo album neatly, not taking time to check which one is which.

My motions are rushed, as if he's chasing after me. I reach for another one of the albums just to stub my toe on the edge of the bed frame. The pain doesn't register as the album slips from my fingers when I stumble. The fucking thing opens on pictures from my last birthday. Killian took me to a beautiful spot full of flowers of all kinds and treated me to a variety of delicious foods. All of it was a lie, a fucking lie.

"Here you are, little girl. I've been looking for you." Franco Fierro.

Chapter thirty-eight

Maricela

Run, Maricela. Run now! My survival instincts kick in more than ever. I don't listen to them, and instead smile and close the album as if everything is fine. "Hi, Franco. Where is everyone?" If someone like Franco was in the wild, he would be a black mamba. From the little I know about the animals, they're the most venomous creatures in Africa. They're known to be the best at hiding their true self until they're catching their prey.

"They've all gone to some charity event. Isabella loves those."

"They took Connie as well? If not, I can take care of her until they get back." I close my suitcase and take slow steps toward the door, knowing I'm getting closer to the enemy. Don't show him fear.

He eyes the suitcase but doesn't comment on it. "Yeah, apparently, some of the women wanted to see the baby." I remember Serena telling me that everyone wants to see my little angel as if she's a doll, and to be fair, she looks like one, so they aren't far off.

"Oh," I add, like a moron.

"Are you leaving somewhere?"

---