Facade of Love

Brushing off the concern | saw in Idris's eyes, | nodded. "It's not a story, I'm just telling it as it is." "Yvette!" The sound of that familiar voice madeinstinctively turn. It was Mom. | had not expected her to show up, and it hithard. The ache of missing her suddenly made my eyes water. Without thinking, | rushed over and wrapped my arms around her. All the fear and panic | had been carrying seemed to melt away as | held on to her.

Mom rubbed my back, her voice thick with worry. "Honey, where have you been? We couldn't get through to you, and you vanished without a trace. The police were looking for you, Idris too..." She hesitated, her worry breaking through. "They said you were kidnapped, and | was scared it was like five years ago all over again. I've been out of my mind with worry. Since we lost your dad, if anything happened to you, how could I face him?" Her tears cfaster as she spoke, each one a testament to the days of fear we had both endured.

"Aunt Deb, it's okay, please don't cry. The doctor mentioned crying too much isn't great for your eyes," a soft voice chimed in. That's when | noticed Alice was there too.

Letting go of my mom, | turned to Alice. Her stunning features caught my eye, and | could not shake off the memory of that video Lucas had shown me.

With a heavy feeling in my chest, | took a deep breath, tried to clear my head, and told my mom to hang tight for a second. | needed to have a quick word with Idris before | could fill her in on what is going to happen with Scott Corporation.

Mom gave Idris a look, hesitated for a moment, then pulled Alice to sit with us. "Yvette, I've heard about the stuff that's been going on. You don't have to worry aboutnot being able to handle it. There's no need to pushaway." Seeing Mom was set on sticking around, | got her point. She had always been stubborn, so I just went with it.

Facing Mom and Idris, | tried to keep it cool. "Sorry for making everyone worry lately. I'm fine, really. | just hung out with Charlie over the holidays. | got a bit caught up in the fun and forgot to let you guys know. Of course, my phone had to pick that tto die, so | couldn't reach out and let you know. My bad." Idris gavea look, his dark eyes intense but controlled, his eyebrows knitted together. "Caught up in the fun?" | nodded, even though | knew my story sounded flimsy. Mom's frown deepened. "Yvette, what are you even saying? You and Charlie were just having fun? But the cops said he's probably the sguy who kidnapped you at the border five years ago. How can you just be with him..." Despite the police suggesting he is probably the sman who kidnappedat the border five years ago, | remained firm in my stance. "Mom!" | cut her off, locking eyes with her. "Charlie's not the villain here. He didn't hurt me, he has been nothing but kind, and | have made up my mind. I'm going to Silvana with him." "You're doing what?" "Yvette!" That was my mom, and the one with the look of total shock was Idris. His dark eyes were wide with disbelief, and it felt like there was a lump in my throat. | wanted to spill everything to him. However, what was the point? Lucas had lost it, Officer Jackson was gone, and | could not put them in danger again.

| lifted my right hand, the pink diamond on my ring finger catching the light, and said, "I've made up my mind to leave with him. I've been with him non-stop these last few days, and I've been really happy. So, I'm going to move to Silvana with him, and that means | probably won't be around much anymore." | turned to my mom, "Mom, | was going to cback later to talk about the Scott Corporation stuff, but since you're here, let us just do this now. I've gotten a lawyer to transfer all of Dad's assets to you. You're in charge of the company now, and with Maxwell there to help, you'll be set for a worry-free retirement, even without me." "Yvette, what are you saying?" Mom's eyes suddenly filled with tears, and she stared at me, "You're going off to Silvana with that Yates guy? What's this about not coming back? Do you even realize what you are doing?" Her eyes were brimming with hurt, and it felt like my heart was being squeezed. | managed a weak smile and said, "Mom, I'm sorry | can't be there for your golden years. | know it is selfish, but please... | need your blessing.

jn "Slap!" | never saw it coming—the sting of my mother's hand across my face. Her eyes blazed with anger, and she looked like she might just shatter into pieces. "Yvette, have you lost your mind? Vanishing into thin air over sboy, leaving us all terrified and searching for days! You brush it off like it's nothing. Now you're tellingyou're ready to ditch your own mother to run off to sforeign land with him? Forget it. | won't allow it. If you leave with him, you're no longer my daughter." | knew my mom meant every word she said. My heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice as | faced her. | took a shaky breath, stood up, and with a heavy heart, | knelt down before her. With all the sincerity | could muster, | fell to my knees. Tears threatened to spill as | choked out, "Mom, I'm so sorry. I've let you down."