"You know how stubborn Mom can be. That day your mother insisted on cleaning the stairs, I told her not to, but she didn't listen and fell down! He also insisted on helping Jared sew the clothes, what can I do?"
Right then, Jared showed up at the doorway, looking all innocent and honest. "Mrs. Ysabell, I'm sorry. Your mother saw my clothes were torn and offered to help me fix them. Right, Ma'am?"
My mother nodded hard. I placed my hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Mom, where's the scarf I gave you?"
She trembled, her hands shaking as she gestured, "Ysabell, I'm sorry. I thought the scarf looked too old-fashioned, so I threw it away."
My mother suffered her whole life. The reason I brought her to the city was so she could finally enjoy some peace, but now her profoundly wrinkled face was covered in tears and her lips quivering. Everything was fine before I left. So, why did she look so scared and miserable now? My chest tightened with pain.
Just then, Jude's phone started ringing urgently. His expression shifted slightly and a flash of panic crossed his eyes. He quickly walked to the corner and lowered his voice to answer the call. A moment later, he hung up, hurried over and said anxiously, "Ysabell, there's a data issue at the company. I have to go fix it right away. I drank at dinner earlier, so Jared, you drive me."
Before he even finished speaking, he turned and rushed out the door with Jared. My mother watched them leave, her expression a mix of fear, worry and sadness. My gut told me something was off with Jude.
Our marriage had been rushed and forced from the start. It was an accident after a drunken night at a business event. After we got married, he said he was too lazy to learn sign language and I never pushed him. I was always busy with work.
Six months ago, after my mother recovered from a broken bone, I figured our place was spacious enough, so I brought her to live with us. It was easier to take care of her and it was the least I could do for her. Jude agreed right away and after some hesitation, my mom happily moved in. I thought I could finally be a good daughter, yet now nothing feels right. There were too many strange things happening and I couldn't shake this uneasy feeling.
"Mom, if you really want to go back home, I'll take you for a couple of days. You can always come back," I reassured her, trying to ease her anxiety. My mother looked conflicted. She moved her lips, but no words came out. After a moment of silence, she gestured, "I am fine, really. I just miss the farm work back home."
No matter how much I tried to convince my mother, she insisted on going back to our hometown. That night, after she fell asleep, I quietly got up. I went to the living room and called my best friend, Catherine Warren. "Hey, doesn't your company have some IT geniuses? Can you help me recover some surveillance footage?"
In the middle of the night, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Suddenly, the front door swung open, followed by a deafening sound of the TV. I rushed to my door and looked downstairs.
"Damn! What a goal!" a deafening shout echoed through the house. Jared was watching a soccer game with a beer in his hand, smoking a cigarette and the living room filled with smoke.
I was startled for a few seconds before I realized what was happening. I rushed downstairs, turned off the TV and glared at Jared angrily. "Jared! What are you doing in the middle of the night?"
