Page 35 of For the Love of Layla

She sobs, failing to stifle the sound, “Little Liam, I have no choice. You are not mine. If I could change it-”

“I can, I’ll change it. I’ll change her mind.” She follows as I jerk to my feet, wincing as she stands.

“Liam no, you cannot. What happened was not your fault, you saved me and I will always be grateful for that, but she will not let me remain here. It’s not safe for me with them, it never was.” She takes a step towards me. I don’t know why, but I jerk back her hugs feel like goodbye. Her words…they don’t make sense. I can fix it. I drop the Batman band-aids not caring as they spill out onto the floor. Ignoring her as she calls for me while I race down the hall, I can convince mother she was wrong to send Miss. Katla away. I’ve never asked her for anything. I’ve been so good. She’ll have to listen to me. Everything was fine before he came along. Miss. Katla will feel silly for worrying in the first place.

I can’t…I can’t be here without her.

I don’t knock as I slam into the door, it’s locked of course. I ignore the pain in my shoulder smashing it into the door before I start beating on it. I know I shouldn’t be acting this way, but I can’t help it…I feel funny. Like my lungs aren’t working right and my chest feels hot and tight on the inside.

“Mother! Mother!”

I gasp as he jerks the door open, the black robe draped loosely over his tall body. I look past him at my mother lounging underneath the covers with a cigarette pressed between her fingers. Grandma would freak if she knew she was smoking inside again.

“What, Liam?” She demands as I shove past him, going to her side.

“Don’t make her go, please. I’ll do anything. Make him go and let her stay, mother. She didn’t do anything wrong.” I plead, searching her cold brown eyes.

Nothing.

She scoffs, “You’re too young to understand, but you will one day. You’ll see that little slut for exactly what she is. What they all are. End of discussion.”

Anger bubbles up inside of me as I slap the cigarette from her hand, “You’re wrong!”

The shock on her face is soon replaced by the nasty scowl she usually wears, “Get him the fuck out of here, Andrew.” I thrash as he grabs me roughly, “Get your hands off me! I hate you! I hate both of you!” The air leaves my lungs as he tosses me onto the marble floor, my back colliding with the ground as I fail to catch myself.

I don’t care what mother said, she can’t leave me.

I scramble to my feet as he slams the door. His smug gaze makes my stomach feel like it’s all twisted up. I don’t think as I run back towards her, if she’s going I want to go with her. She’s my mom, she is. She can’t leave me behind.

“Miss. Katla, I’ll come with you!” I cry as I run into her room. It feels darker and colder in here as if she’s already left it. She doesn’t turn towards me as her hands tighten on the metal railing of the attic balcony, her light blonde hair blowing in the wind. She doesn’t try to smile this time as she turns around. The sadness in her eyes bores a hole through my already breaking heart. I can see it in her eyes that won’t do it. She won’t take me.

She’s given up.

“You aren’t mine to take.” She whispers, her eyes are red my Band-Aids gripped tightly in her hand as she brings the box to her chest. “I’m sorry.” She’s shaking, just as hard as the leaves outside.

“Says who? You’ve always been here, Katla! You have since I was a little baby. Why can’t I be yours?”

“You’re a Curran, Master Liam. I was your au pair, nothing more. Remember what I asked you, this isn’t goodbye, lítla ást. Only see you later.” Her voice breaks as the anger I feel doubles down in my chest, turning into something else…something more.

How could you say that? Why?

My vision goes black as I rapidly blink my eyes, trying to make sense of what’s going on around me. I’m on the balcony?

Katla? Miss. Katla, where did you go?

Thud!

I flinch as a sickening sound fills my ears, my legs pulling me closer to the edge. I don’t know why I don’t want to look down. Everything in my body is screaming not to. I don’t listen.

She left me. She really… left me.

I watch my Batman band-aids flicker to the ground, falling around where her crumpled form lays in the gravel. Blood splattered around the ground beneath her unmoving body, sprawled out in a weird way. Her big eyes are wide and empty as they stare back up at me.

Miss. Katla…

Liam

I adjust my red silk tie looking over at the clock: 6p.m. People at the gala would have started arriving half an hour ago.

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