Page 21 of My Sweetest Obsession

My brow furrowed. “You knew my mother?”

The woman nodded, her tears spilling over. “My name is Valarie. Your mother was my sister. You’re my niece.”

My eyes widened. “No… you’re not serious.”

Yet as I took a moment to look at her for the first time, the family resemblance became apparent. Her vivid golden eyessparkled with love despite being trapped here. Her eyebrows’ graceful arch and smile echoed the familiar warmth I had always associated with Mom.

“I am,” Valarie said. “Your mother was everything to me. I loved her so much.” Her words came out in gasps as she seemed to fight against the memories that haunted her. “She’s gone, isn’t she?”

I gave a slight nod, my heart sinking as tears cascaded down Valarie’s cheeks. Her body shook with quiet sobs, making it clear that my acknowledgment had only deepened her pain.

I looked over to the other cell, my heart sinking at the sight of Uncle Malik unconscious on the ground.

Valarie took a shaky breath and said, “My father was unforgiving and a monster.”

I turned back to her, noticing the subtle tremor of her lips as she continued. “I tried to protect Angelica, I really did, but I was too late.” Valarie shook her head, her tears flowing freely now. “I should have done more.”

I closed my eyes, not wanting to relive the pain of losing my parents, the pain of being trapped here, or the shocking revelation of her relationship to me.

“He won’t hurt you. I won’t let him,” Valarie promised.

My eyelids fluttered open, and my gaze locked onto hers. “You… you know who the Puppet Master is, don’t you?”

I could still hear his voice, a cold, fatherly reprimand directed at her, much like a parent scolding their child.

The lines on her face deepened. A single, guilt-ridden “yes” escaped her lips; her face, a canvas of pain and remorse betrayed her.

“We’re going to die, aren’t we?”

Valarie reached for my hand, her grip fierce and reassuring. “I won’t let that happened.”

“I’m scared,” I admitted.

“I know,” Valarie whispered. “But we’ll face this together. You’re not alone anymore. I promise you that.”

Her determination wrapped around me like a protective shield, and I felt a flicker of hope for the first time since finding myself in this place.

Istood by the door of the room where Mya laid as the machines around her beeped steadily. She had finally been moved from the ICU to a private room.

She had coded on the way to the hospital and twice during surgery. The bullet had missed her heart, but had punctured her lungs, causing them to collapse. Mya was given a blood transfusion from losing so much blood. Thankfully, the doctors had managed to remove the bullet that saved her life. Mya was lucky to be alive.

Mya stirred, her brow furrowing as she groaned. Slowly, she turned her head toward me, her eyes fluttering open.

“Nico?” Mya’s voice was raspy.

I stepped inside and moved to her. “Hey, Mya,” I said softly, forcing a smile. I took a seat beside her bed, resting my elbows on my knees and clasping my hands together to steady myself. “You scared the hell out of us.”

Mya let out a weak chuckle, though it quickly turned into a cough. “Sorry to disappoint, but you can't get rid of me.”

I gave her a half smile.

A shadow of worry crossed her face. “How’s your mom?”

I closed my eyes for a moment, wishing desperately that I could rewind the clock far enough back to save my mother. Mya would take the blame for what happened and be devastated.

“Nico?” Mya asked as she tilted her head slightly, searching my face for answers.

I inhaled deeply, the words I needed to say like lead in my throat. “She didn’t make it,” I whispered, opening my eyes to meet hers.