Page 53 of Trapped

“Tell her!” he screams at me, but I can’t. Everything is too loud. Sobs are the only thing I manage to get out.

“Tell her how you’ve been hiding our fucking daughter from me!” he screams. “GET OUT!”

Josefina jumps up before he stalks toward me and slaps him across the face.

“Pull your shit together, Silas!” she says. He turns his head, and hurt lingers in his eyes. He doesn’t look at me, but turns to Ale.

“Get them the fuck out of my house,” he says before walking to the basement door. I run out the door and throw my suitcase in the back of the truck. When Ale appears, she is carrying Josefina’s suitcase with her.

“I’m so sorry.” It’s all I can say to Josefina when she opens the passenger door to face me. She pulls me into a tight embrace, and I let it all go.

“Is it true? Do I have a granddaughter there in Houston?” she asks and I nod, letting the first weight come off of me.

“Then I’m going with you,” she responds.

Ale speeds down the road. The truck is silent as we make our way to the runway, where I see a plane waiting. Efren was able to get ahold of Adrian, who sent for me immediately.

I explain what I can to Josefina on the short flight to Houston. I tell her about the unexpected pregnancy and how we had covered it up. I tell her everything I can remember about Lucia. The first time she walked, her first word, and every milestone ingrained in me. Josefina holds back tears with every story I tell her. There’s hope in her eyes when we land and see my family waiting outside for us.

I rush to Lucia, who is holding on tight to Ariella’s hand. Her eyes widen, and that toothless smile I missed so much spreads across her face.

“Little gremlin,” I say, taking her into my arms. She hugs me back.

“You’re back! Finally!” she says. I don’t let go of her embrace. When I do, I look at her. My little girl. My reason for being. She looks behind me, her curious eyes watching as Josefina makes her way toward us.

“Hola,” Josefina says slowly, making her way to Lucia. She’s holding back the tears. “And what is this princess’s name?”

Lucia places a hand on her hip, and with all the confidence, introduces herself.

“Lucia Josefina Consuelo,” she says, and Josefina’s eyes shoot at mine. I offer her a smile and nod.

“I love it. Can I have a hug, Lucia?” Josefina’s voice shakes as she opens her arms wide. Lucia nods, and everyone watches as they embrace.

“Why is everyone crying?” Lucia says dramatically, rolling out her words.

“I’m just so happy to finally meet you,” Josefina says.

Once we get to the hotel, Lucia spends the rest of the day showing Josefina all over the hotel. She is Calavera Hotel’s finest tour guide. Of course, per her requirements, Luca must join them. Josefina holds both their hands. I told her ahead of time they are a packaged deal.

Everything is happening faster than my mind can comprehend. I set my suitcase down and crash down on my bed. I’m not sure what I am going to do now. Just like every time Mr. Friborg read me to filth, I can’t get the picture of the cards out of my head.

The reminder of that card with the two people falling out of the tower. Is this where Silas and I’s love story ends? Do we even have a love story? Or was it just an erotic horror film? Either way, my toxic ass had convinced myself we were something more.

“You okay?” I look up to see Olivia standing in the doorway of my room. Her bright green eyes search mine.

“I will be.” I sigh. She makes her way to the bed and kicks off her shoes. She snuggles beside me and wraps her arms around me. I let myself loosen in her embrace before she moves back and cups my face.

“We will figure this out. Together,” she says. The same words she told me the day I begged her to save me. I had been so angry with her recently, but it is becoming clearer than day that she is all I have at the darkest times.

“What if I’m not a good mom?” My voice cracks at the question.

I didn’t think I’d get to this point. I thought I would forever live in hiding and trapped in my secrets. Now that everything is out, I have to think about how I will navigate this truth.

“Then you’ll do just fine because none of us are good moms. We make mistakes, but as long as you love her, then you will always be enough,” she says.

I can love her. That has always been the easy part, but there is a small part of me that wonders who will love me.

“Ojos que no ven, corazon no se siente.”

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