Rejected Little Secret by Lisj

Chapter 90 

I couldn’t believe what was happening. 

With a gentle tug, the woman in the lab gown, who claimed to be my mother, lifted me to my feet and immediately engulfed me in a tight, heartfelt hug. I stood there, my mouth agape, trying to comprehend the rush of emotions overwhelming me. 

“Oh, my daughter, you’re even more beautiful than I imagined,” With shining eyes, she exclaimed and pulled back slightly to get a better look at me. With a firm grip, she holds my face, examining it closely from every angle. “I’ve missed you so much, my dear. I can’t believe it’s taken this long for you to come home to us.” 

I was at a loss for words, unable to find a suitable response to her effusive praise. 

But the woman wasn’t finished yet. She continued to lavish compliments upon me, her words flowing like a gentle stream of warmth and 

affection. 

“Your hair is amazing like waves of the sea, and your eyes sparkle like the brightest stars,” she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. “You truly are a vision of loveliness, my dear daughter.” 

Despite myself, her words ignited a flicker of warmth within me. It had been ages since anyone had spoken to me with such genuine kindness and admiration, and a small part of me desperately wanted to believe that every word she said was true. However, Ishake my head in disbelief because I had no clue about the identity of this mysterious woman. 

“And oh, your smile,” Continuing, she extended her hand to delicately sweep a stray strand of hair away from my face. “It lights up the room like sunshine on a cloudy day. You have such a radiant presence. It’s no wonder everyone is drawn to you.” 

Her words made me blush, and I suddenly became acutely aware of the eyes focused on me. Despite everything, I couldn’t ignore the comforting warmth that washed over me when she praised me. Her words formed a warm cocoon around me, soothing away the doubts and insecurities that had haunted me. 

Her eyes glimmered with sincere affection as she spoke, and I couldn’t help but feel myself unwind in her presence. Her words, though peculiar given the circumstances, had a comforting effect on me, as if they were healing salve for the scars of my past. 

As she finally released me from her embrace, I took a step back, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty swirling in my mind. Her face mirrored my own confusion and apprehension as Nadia stood by my side. I could see the gears turning in her mind, her brow furrowing as she struggled to comprehend the situation, but like me, she found herself speechless. 

Despite her warm demeanor and gentle touch, there was an unsettling aura about her that made me uneasy. 

“Welcome to our home, Sanctuaria,” With excitement radiating from her, the woman pressed on, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. “There is no place quite like this. An oasis for people akin to us, where we can coexist in serenity and unity, liberated from the tribulations of the external society.” 

My mind whirled with doubts and suspicions as I remained silently lost in thought. No matter how much she tried to convince me, a lingering suspicion crept into my mind, telling me that there was an underlying strangeness to this woman and her assurances of safety and belonging. 

“Dearest daughter, I understand that all of this must be quite overwhelming for you,” Reaching out, she said softly, her fingers intertwining with mine. “Rest assured, I give you my word, that you are out of harm’s way. You are blessed with a family who cares for you and a place where you are wel med.” 

As I gently retracted my hand, a frown etched itself on my forehead, reflecting my struggle to untangle the perplexing situation. The fact that t had no memory of this woman made it difficult to belleve her claim of being my mother. And why did she seem so familiar, yet so distant at the same time? 

“I…I don’t know who you are.” 

The woman’s smile wavered for a moment, but she swiftly regained her composure, her face softening with a gentle and understanding 

expression. 

“I know, my dear,” With a soft tone, she said, resuming her task of mopping the floor, her smile and laughter suggesting a carefree demeanor. “I give you my word that everything will become comprehensible in due course. At this time, it is essential to recognize that you are held in high regard and in a secure environment. Each individual residing in Sanctuaria is well aware of your identity and the significance you hold; essentially, everyone considers you as their own family.” 

Anger coursed through me, building up like an impending tempest, and a overwhelming sense of betrayal washed over my being. How could this woman claim to love me when she had stood by as I was snatched away by a menacing henchman, throwing me into a labyrinth of unpredictability and peril? In disbelief, I shook my head and confronted her with a trembling voice filled with anger. 

“If you love me as much as you claim you do, then why did you let him take me?” I demanded, my words laced with bitterness. “Why did you allow me to be snatched away from everything I’ve ever known? He pointed a gun at us! Shot a bullet that almost hit me!” 

Instead of answering right away, the woman turned around and resumed her melodic humming. Her gaze remained fixed on the floor as she diligently mopped, not daring to look up. With each passing moment, my frustration grew stronger, but I kept myself composed, waiting anxiously for her response. Her words finally broke the silence, delivered in a calm and measured tone that demanded attention. 

“My dear daughter, there exist distinct methods to manage every single thing. Her tone was a delicate balance of gentleness and firmness as she mopped the floor, occasionally meeting my gaze. “Since the day you came into this world, I have yearned for you to be by my side more than anything else. However, it was necessary for me to guarantee the safety and maintenance of the home you would return to.” 

In a state of disbelief, I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her, my mind overwhelmed with confusion. 

“How can you just brush off what you did like it’s no big deal?” 

“You deserted me at the Thornholde’s border, condemning me to diel” 

“I am not the one who abandoned you – it was that bastard!” 

The sudden outburst from the woman startled us all, making us jump in surprise. The room was filled with silence, the sound of her voice reverberating off the walls. In that moment, she collected herself, inhaling deeply and tucking her hair behind her ears. Her sigh spoke volumes, her features melting into a tender expression as she locked eyes with me, filled with a combination of sadness and regret.. 

“Sadly, my dear, I was left with no other option,” In a hushed tone, she explained, her voice barely above a whisper. “There are influential factors in motion that are beyond my ability to manage. My only option was to have faith in your ability to return to me. You were snatched away from me, taken by the wretched bastard who brought you into my life. It is quite ironic, I must admit.” 

When she spoke, I felt a profound resonance, a fleeting glimpse of comprehension amidst a sea of confusion. 

“My intention was simply to ensure your safety As she continued, her voice faltered, betraying the emotions she tried to hide. “It was my wish that you would have the opportunity to experience a better life, given that Sanctuaria was not yet completely envisioned at that time. It was my wish for you to be exempt from the dangers of the world. Since you are here now and Sanctuaria has become the sanctuary I had envisioned, I assure you that I will make every possible effort to safeguard you.” 

I wanted to believe her, to have faith in her words. 

However, it was difficult to place my trust in someone who had permitted my removal from the comfort of my home and thrust me into an unfamiliar and unpredictable world. When I locked eyes with her, I could see the weight of pain and regret mirrored in her gaze, and it caused my anger to momentarily fade. 

“I want to believe you,” My words were a gentle murmur, almost imperceptible. “But I can’t just forget everything that’s happened. I need time to process everything, to come to terms with the fact that you let me be taken from my home.” 

“I kindly request you to reconsider your statement, as it lacks credibility. Sanctuaria is your home,” Her voice carries a sense of determination and strength as she tells me, unwavering in her conviction. “This is where you truly belong, with me.” 

“That’s… That’s not-” 

“Have you ever had the feeling of not belonging or being out of place?” Her gentle inquiry caused her voice to soften, and she tenderly reached out to make contact with my hand. “Do you ever feel as though you are aimlessly navigating through life, without ever discovering your true purpose? I presume you have encountered that feeling before, have you not?” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

I wanted to argue, to express the constant feeling of not fitting in, like a puzzle piece forced into the wrong spot. The constant feeling of being on the outside remained with me’no matter where I traveled. The words lodged in my throat, leaving me unable to speak, while I stood there, my eyes downcast, trying to comprehend the perplexing chain of events. 

Hesitation filled me as I grappled with uncertainty on how to reply. It was true that I had always felt out of place, as if I were a puzzle piece that didn’t belong in any of the available slots. But accepting it felt like a betrayal, as if I was betraying the version of myself that had denied it 

for so long. 

“L… I don’t know,” I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Does that even matter? It’s normal to feel like you don’t belong sometimes, everyone does.” 

With a sympathetic expression, the woman nodded in understanding and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, 

“I understand,” she said softly. “I can guarantee that here in Sanctuaria, you will find your rightful place. A family awaits you, ready to offer unconditional love, and a home where you can freely be your authentic self.” 

I remained silent, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle heavily upon me, while my mind became a whirlwind of confusion and doubt. Her words washed over me like a distant echo as the woman, who claimed to be my mother, continued to speak. Despite her efforts to persuade me, I couldn’t accept her as my mother. The unanswered questions lingered, creating a barrier between us. 

“Do you 

u even know my name?” 

My voice barely above a whisper, I finally mustered the courage to ask. It was a question that appeared straightforward, yet its weight and uncertainty were palpable. 

Her laughter rang through the air, her eyes shining with amusement as she playfully shook her head. 

“The name you had on the surface carries no importance,” Dismissively, she handed the mop she was holding over to Jazz. “Within the borders of Sanctuaria, a new name will be granted to you, symbolizing your genuine identity.” 

What she said didn’t sit well with me, but my mind went blank. My eyes were fixed on her as she moved, and my heart sank when I saw what she was mopping up before passing the mop to Jazz. 

Blood.