Against All Odds

Chapter Twelve

I dial her number and hold the phone to my ear, eyes on the television.

"Hello?"

I sit up at the sound of her voice, stunned. "Ida?"

"Yes, Mia. I'm leaving for work. What do you need?"

"I- well, I wanted to hear your voice. I... miss you."

"Then, come home," she says, sounding detached and cold.

"I... live here now," I whisper. "You know I met someone."

"Yes, I do."

"Well, I- want to tell you who he is, so you understand-"

"I'll never understand you, Mia. I'll never understand your need to be with someone in power, someone that controls you! I don't want to know who he is. That would be you, breeching your contract. At least if you're going to sign it, stick to your decision."

I try to blink past my tears, clearing my throat so she won't hear. "You are being really unfair. You know I don't look for these men."

"Well, they sure as hell find you, honey. And I'm sorry, but I don't think you're being smart. You left your home, you left everything here after a few weeks in England. If this man truly wanted you, he wouldn't have uprooted your entire life. He would have come to meet me, he would have taken this slow."

"You don't understand my situation, you can't judge it."

"Mia, you know this home has always been open to you. It has been since your parents died... and I know I didn't replace them. I know I never could but I have tried to steer you in the right path. This is not that path and I'll be damned if I stay quiet this time! No relationship, no matter the circumstances, should begin with an agreement of silence. None. So, come home and leave that man."

My hand grips the phone tighter as I find it hard to breathe. "I'm staying," I whisper, with difficulty.

"Then you've made your choice. You chose him over family."

"No, I didn't!" I shout, tears streaming freely now. "I didn'-"

"You did. And I-I'm sorry but you will not be allowed back in this house as long as you're with that man. I won't allow it! So figure out your priorities and make up your mind, Mia!"

A choking sound escapes my throat as I pull the phone from my ear, realizing she's hung up. I drop the phone onto my lap, finding my fingers are shaking violently before my eyes. I press my fingers to my face, feeling like I'm going to explode, the despair I feel by her words, by her vow of separation... from the only family I still have.

She is demanding I leave Henry.

She is demanding I leave the man I'm falling in love with.

...

I hear the door to the apartment open, keys jingling and I jump up from the couch, sprinting towards the entranceway until I crash into Henry's body, frightened that I can't stop dry heaving. A complete mess, I've been praying he'd walk through those doors for over an hour now.

"Mia," Henry breathes, stunned. I press my face into his neck, squeezing my arms tighter around his neck. He strokes my hair, exhaling. "Mia, what's wrong? What's happened?"

"She wouldn't even hear who you were. She wouldn't even let me explain."

"Who? Your aunt?"

I nod, pulling back to look at him. His brows crease as he observes my face, running his thumbs gently under my eyes. I shake my head. "S-she gave me an ultimatum."