Lexi and Mia darted through the bustling corridors of the mall, their frantic footsteps drowned out by the hum of shoppers and the cheerful chatter of families. The air was thick with the scent of fresh pretzels and perfume, but neither girl noticed. Their focus was singular: find Fiona.
Lexi turned a corner sharply, her gaze darting around, when bam! She collided with someone, the impact jolting her backward. She winced, rubbing her arm as she instinctively apologized.
"I'm so sorry!" she said breathlessly, her voice overlapping with the other person's apology.
Lexi froze as she looked up, realizing it was Mia. For a moment, they both stared at each other, surprise flashing across their faces. Relief quickly followed as they realized they weren't searching alone anymore.
"Mia! Have you seen Mom?" Lexi asked, her voice laced with urgency, her eyes wide with hope.
Mia shook her head, her expression clouded with guilt. "No... I've checked the dressing shop, the ice cream parlor, the jewelry store, the shoe shop everywhere I could think of. She's nowhere." Her voice wavered, frustration seeping into her words.
Lexi noticed the way Mia's shoulders sagged, how her eyes darted to the ground as though avoiding blame. This isn't her fault, Lexi reminded herself, though she knew Mia felt otherwise.
Mia bit her lip, hesitant to speak her thoughts. I can't even ask if she's checked certain places. Lexi asked first if it'd be pointless to ask the same question back, she thought miserably.
Seeing the storm brewing in Mia's eyes, Lexi softened her tone, stepping closer. "Hey," she began, her voice warm and reassuring, "the mall is huge. It's going to take time to find someone, but Mom's here. She wouldn't leave us."
Mia's gaze flicked up, a glimmer of doubt still lingering.
"Mom probably just needed a moment," Lexi continued, her words steady and confident. "She's somewhere nearby, maybe trying to clear her head. You know she loves us too much to just disappear."
Lexi reached out, pulling Mia into a hug. "Everything's going to be alright," she whispered. "We'll find her."
For a moment, the chaos of the mall melted away as they clung to each other, drawing strength from the bond only sisters could share.
★★★
Fiona stormed out of the swimsuit shop, her heart pounding with frustration. Her daughters Lexi and Mia had no idea how deeply their words had cut her. Their assumptions stung, leaving her both angry and hurt. She needed space to breathe, to calm the storm raging inside her.
The mall's vibrant atmosphere was a stark contrast to her emotions. She wandered aimlessly, scanning the maze of stores and food courts for a quiet corner, someplace where she could gather her thoughts. Just as she spotted a secluded bench near a fountain, a sharp, familiar voice called out behind her.
"Fiona! Fiona! Oh my goodness, has this girl gotten so old she can't hear me anymore?"
Fiona froze. That voice sent an unwelcome chill down her spine. She turned slowly, dreading the sight she knew she'd see.
Striding toward her was a woman in her early fifties, her long black hair styled in a sleek bun. She wore a black embroidered qipao with delicate lace detailing, her gold purse and black heels clicking against the marble floor with every step. The woman's expression was unmistakably critical, her sharp eyes scanning Fiona as though she were some sort of spectacle.
Abigail Chloe, Fiona thought bitterly, her mother-in-law. Of all the people to run into today, why her?
Fiona sighed, her irritation rising as Chloe drew closer. After all these years, she still remembers me and she dares approach me? What does she want now? The memories of betrayal and pain that Chloe's family had inflicted on her resurfaced, unbidden.
Chloe stopped directly in front of her, her arms crossed, her expression sour. Fiona stood her ground, folding her arms in return, though her mind raced. Her daughters, her precious Lexi and Mia must not see this confrontation. Fiona's motherly instincts screamed to protect them from the toxic shadow Chloe had always cast.
"Fiona," Chloe began, her tone dripping with disdain. "I was calling you. Didn't you hear me? Or are your ears as useless as ever?"
Fiona plastered on a smile, though it felt more like a mask than anything genuine. "Good morning, Mother-in-law Abigail Chloe," she said, stepping forward to embrace her.
The hug caught Chloe off guard. Her stiff posture betrayed her discomfort. "What on earth is this?" she said, pulling back. "A fake smile and a hug? What's gotten into you?"
Fiona stepped back, still smiling, though her thoughts were far from kind. She has no idea how much I despise her presence, but I won't give her the satisfaction of seeing my anger.
"Oh, it's nothing, Mother-in-law," Fiona said sweetly. "I'm just surprised to see you here."
Chloe narrowed her eyes, suspicion written all over her face. "Surprised? Is it so terrible that I've come to this mall? Or do you have something to hide?"
"Of course not, Mother. You're always welcome," Fiona replied, her tone light and breezy. "Why don't we find somewhere comfortable to chat? I just need a moment to change into something more appropriate."
Chloe's gaze swept over Fiona's swimsuit, her lips curling in disapproval. "Appropriate, indeed. Dressed like that, one might think you're trying to seduce someone."
Fiona's jaw clenched, but she kept her composure. "I'll be right back," she said, excusing herself to grab a bathrobe.
When she returned, she quickly led Chloe toward the mall's exit, expertly steering her away from any chance encounters with Lexi or Mia. The last thing Fiona needed was her daughters witnessing this unpleasant reunion or worse, questioning her later.
As they walked out, Fiona kept her mask firmly in place. Inside, though, a fire burned a fire fueled by the memories of betrayal, the years of pain, and the bitter truth that she could never forgive Chloe's family for what they had done.