The only reason Carmen could think of for why she was sitting in a room with Diana across from her was that she wanted all of this to be over. It had been a long time chasing after the ones responsible for what happened to Willow and the attacks on Ronin. It was time the people responsible were caught and shoved behind bars.
A few minutes ago, Ronin had confronted her regarding this.
"You don't have to go through this," he had said, looking serious and absolutely determined to sweep her away if that's what she wanted. "We don't even know if she's telling the truth. For all we know, it's all a bluff."
But Carmen knew better. She knew about the deal her mother had made with Grandpa. "But she has answers to what we have been seeking all this time. I don't think it's a coincidence that she does. She must be telling the truth."
Ronin looked frustrated. "Maybe you're right. Maybe you're wrong. But that doesn't mean you have to force yourself to do something that you don't want. I would hate for you to do something you're not ready for."
Carmen knew he meant what he said. She knew he cared. Perhaps that's why it was important not to let this chance slip away. If Diana was telling the truth and she knew who was behind this whole conspiracy, it was time they put behind their issues and focused on what was important. "As long as we get to the truth, trust me, I'm ready for it."
But that didn't make this entire setup with her sitting face-to-face with her estranged mother any less awkward.
How long had it been since the two of them sat together in one place? Too long, as far as she could remember. Too long for her even to recall if something like this had ever happened.
"I know it's not easy for you, Carrie," Diana spoke and made Carmen aware one more time how this conversation was inevitable. "I'm not here to make things difficult for you."
Carmen couldn't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Well, congratulations on not making things difficult, Mom. I always look forward to these heartwarming family reunions in a cozy room with tea and secrets. It's like a Hallmark movie, minus the love and joy."
Diana sighed, her attempt at sincerity failing to resonate. "Carmen, please, I just want to talk."
"Talk?" Carmen raised an eyebrow. "You mean that, don't you?" She shook her head, looking away. "It's been more than two decades without you, and now you want to talk? I don't even know what's there to talk about. There's nothing that I want to share, and I'm sure there's nothing that you can explain anymore either."
"Carmen..."
"Isn't that true?" She moved her gaze back to the woman sitting across from her and glared, hoping Ronin wouldn't think she was being too rude to the woman who gave birth to her. She knew he was standing right outside the room, probably pacing and looking for a sign or a word from her to jump in and take her away.
However, she couldn't help but feel her heart crack a little at the thought that this was the woman who had abandoned her when she couldn't even say her name properly. She left her dad and Carmen alone when they needed her the most.
Diana dropped her gaze to her hands, her body looking weak and defeated. "I didn't mean any of this to happen. I never wanted to leave."
"Then why did you? It's not like you were forced out of your own home. Dad loved you. He missed you." He still does, she wanted to say but didn't. She clenched her fingers instead and tried to stay calm.
Diana hesitated, her lips pressing in a thin line.
"Seriously?" Carmen couldn't believe this was happening, that this woman was still not ready to share her reasons. "Why are you even here?" If she wasn't here to give an explanation then what was even the point of this whole conversation?
"Carmen," Diana said after a while, shaking her head. "You don't understand. It's not easy for me either. But the least I can tell you is that I didn't have any other choice. If I had stayed, I would have put your and Roger's life in danger. And I could never do that. Not to you or your dad—the people I love the most."
Carmen wanted to think that what Diana was implying was true. There was no way she was going to take anything the older woman said at face value without a good reason or evidence. If there was one thing she had learned from her past, it's to never blindly trust anyone's words.
After all, betrayal often comes from the people one trusts the most. Wasn't that right?
"You left without a word, without any explanation." Carmen spoke, glad that her voice didn't wave with the emotions roaring inside her. "Dad suffered, and I suffered. And now, after all this time, you show up with this vague story about putting our lives in danger? Do you really expect me to believe that?"
Diana looked down, avoiding Carmen's gaze. "I understand why you would feel that way. I do. But you need to know the truth. There are things I couldn't tell you back then, things that were too dangerous..." She trailed off, closing her eyes and sighing deeply. There was no doubt; she looked miserable, as if she were quickly running out of options. But Diana pulled herself together soon enough and squared her shoulders, as if she had decided to not run from what was right anymore.
Diana took a deep breath, finally lifted her gaze and met with Carmen's frown. "I know it's hard to believe, Carrie. But there are people who would stop at nothing to get what they want. The people I'm talking about are not your run-of-the-mill criminals but an organization of sophisticated businessmen and scientists. They are ruthless and unreasonable. And let's just say that I so happen to have something that they want."
Carmen's frown deepened, skepticism etched on her face. "What are you talking about?" What organization? And what do they want? She wanted to ask but bit down on her tongue before she could show too much regard. It all still felt like a lie and she would hate to jump to any conclusion.
Diana hesitated, her eyes darting away momentarily. "It's complicated, Carrie. I can't tell you everything." But before Carmen could retort, she continued. "If I told you anything at all, it could potentially put your life in danger too. The only reason I came here is to tell you that I never abandoned you. It's just that... I didn't have any other choice. I left because that was the only way to keep those people from coming after you and your dad," her voice softened as emotions slipped into her eyes. "I love you so much, Carrie. You're my only daughter. My baby. I did whatever I could to protect you, even if, for that to happen, I had to leave you."
An intake of sharp breath, and Carmen wondered how much of what her mother said was true. Could she really believe her? How could she be sure that she wasn't being fed another set of lies? Where was the proof? The evidence or anything that implied that Diana was telling the truth?
"Even if I believe you," Carmen stated. "That doesn't explain why you would join hands with someone like Simon Walsh." How could she? Did she not know what he did to her? How he tried to force her into becoming one of his possessions?
However, this time, Diana was quick to jump to an explanation. "I didn't know what happened until it was too late. Like I said, I have been trying to hide from some very powerful people. And Mr. Walsh..." she paused, correcting herself. "Simon's father. He was supposed to help me stay hidden. And he did for a very long time. But then, he passed away and the whole business went to his son. Simon didn't know about my deal with his father until I met him a few weeks ago. We talked, and he agreed to continue what his father started. He's just helping me stay safe and hidden until I can find a way out of this. It's obvious that I can't keep running forever. It has to stop, and to do that, I have to make some difficult choices."
"What choices?" Carmen asked, before she could get a hold of herself. "What are you going to do?" She was suddenly filled with worry, not liking the way her mother sounded. It coiled a knot of concern deep in her gut, and forced her to think that what the older woman had in mind couldn't be any good.
Diana took another deep breath and smiled wryly. "I'm going to turn myself in. It's the only way I can think of to end this madness."
"But you said they are dangerous. What if they..."
"That's my burden to bear," Diana cut her off, smiling gently and leaning forward to hold Carmen's hands, drawing soothing circles on the back of her hands. "I just wanted to see you one last time and let you know that you were never abandoned. I don't want you to go through life thinking your mom didn't love you. Because I do. I love you so very much. I just never had the chance to show you, and that's my fault. I failed at the one thing no woman is supposed to be bad at." Tears welled in her eyes, streaming down quickly. She cupped Carmen's face, murmuring softly. "I'm so sorry for what I've put you through, my dear. I don't expect you to forgive me, but just know that I'm sorry. I really am."
A/n: Do you think her mother is telling the truth?