9. A mother's sacrifice

Anna immediately pulled her hand out of Evelyn's hold as if it burnt her. It moved so fast that evelyn didn't even have the chance to increase her grip or stop her. She could only stare at her.

Anna placed her hand on her lap and said, "I am sorry," looking for just a moment before standing up and picking up her bag. "Heath and I are not compatible. No matter how you see it. But if you are worried that I won't be able to handle the family, then be rest assured, Mother. Your daughter is no weakling." she stepped aside and took her steps away before evelyn could stop her.

"I do not like going round and round in circles like this and neither do I like to drag the same conversation over and over again, Anna. But I have to because I am your mother and I want what's best for you. A secured future where you won't have to worry about anything," Anna's footsteps halted, but she didn't turn to look at her mother.

"The Dillons have all that it takes. Heath Dillon is a man respected by many in Eastgate, and as you have earlier said, he is a man with foresight. Having him by your side is equivalent to you being a man in your own rights. Do you think the family would allow a woman to rule when they have men all over the branch families to pick from?" Evelyn stood up and approached Anna. "If you think so, then you are delusional. Too naive to see the people you call family for who they truly are."

Anna spun around abruptly right after Evelyn said that. Using her own words against when they meant different things entirely? Anna wanted to laugh but she refrained from it. "I do not wish to be seen as a man, Mother. I am a woman, and the family either accepts that willing or they'll be forced to. I am not you. Your daughter, yes. But not you. You and the family can not force your ideologies on me. Not anymore. I have done everything that I possibly can to prove to you all my strength and capabilities but if you will ignore that and only see my worth after having a man by my side, then I am afraid that I will no longer allow myself to be used by you."

"Nobody is using you–"

"If the family wouldn't understand, at least you should, but you don't. You are just like them. When you all look at me, all you see is an object to be traded for more gains. Even my marriage, something that will determine my future and happiness, is nothing but a business deal to you. As a mother, you shouldn't do something like that." Anna said. Her anger and frustration bubbled over, but she fought hard to suppress it.

"You have no idea what a mother has to sacrifice to ensure her child's future, Anna. So don't say things like ever again," Evelyn yelled, her emotions almost taking over. Anna's words had struck something sore inside of her, and she almost couldn't handle it. "You do not understand the first thing about being a parent. A mother. Do you think…."

"Trust me when I say I understand more than you think, Mother. A lot more. And taking away your child's happiness is not a way of ensuring their 'happy' future." Anna said before walking away.

Evelyn sunk back into her seat, her hands clutching her head as she fought for control, but her emotions got the better of her. Tears streamed down her eyes uncontrollably, the words of Anna still ringing in her ears.

"As a mother, you shouldn't do something like that."

"Taking away your child's happiness is not a way of ensuring their 'happy' future."

Did she truly take away her daughter's happiness in her pursuit to secure a better furtive for her? No. Evelyn could not accept that. Everything she had done right from the moment Anna was born was to ensure her happiness. Future happiness. She may be sad and angry now, but in the future, Anna will smile again as long as she does as she is told.

Evelyn tried to convince herself.

Meanwhile, Anna returned to her room and shut the door, locking it even. Just like Evelyn, she was a mess too. She tossed her bag on the bed and sat on the floor leaning against the bed. Tears stained her cheeks. She felt remorseful for the way she had spoken to her mother but she wasn't regretful.

It was necessary.

After the way Evelyn has spoken, those words that only reminded her of what she had to do to secure her daughter's future and her anger consumed her.

"You have no idea what a mother has to sacrifice to ensure her child's future"

Evelyn had said those words but only Anna knew how much that struck her. It was painful…excruciating even but what could she say other than what she had said? Till now she wasn't sure her mother wouldn't take action against her daughter if she was ever to learn of her existence.

"Just like you, mother, I have also made my own sacrifices. And it is time I made more to ensure that my child's future is secured and that means breaking out of your and the family's grip." Anna said but her mood didn't get any better.

It didn't matter anymore what she had to do. If she wasn't sure before, she is now. She would do whatever it takes to reunite with her child. The family that she was forced to abandon, she will return to them. Even if it means losing Apex. Her family's company. She would just consider it as one of the many sacrifices a mother has to make.

"That's right, just another sacrifice from a mother," she said to herself and was determined to say it until she believed it and acted on it if it ever came down to that.