As I walked into the cozy cafe, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloping her like a warm hug. I spotted my mother, Monica, already seated at a table by the window, sipping on a latte. My heart sank, my anxiety spiking at the prospect of another strained conversation.
As I approached the table, Monica looked up, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Hey, sweetie! It's so great to see you."
I forced a smile, feeling like I was putting on a mask. "Hey, Mom. Yeah, it's great to see you too."
We chatted about random stuff – the weather, school, and my friends – but I could sense an underlying tension. Monica was building up to something, and my instincts told me it wasn't going to be good.
Monica's expression turned serious, her eyes locking onto me. "Lena, honey, I need to talk to you about something important."
My heart sank, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "What is it, Mom?"
Monica took a deep breath before dropping the bombshell. "Your stepfather and I have been talking, and we've decided that it's time for you to get married."
My eyes widened in shock. "What? Mom, I'm only 18! I'm still in school."
Monica waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry about that. Your husband will take care of you. He's a successful businessman, and he'll provide for you."
She felt like she'd been punched in the gut. "Who is it, Mom?"
Monica's smile returned, but it was cold and calculating. "His name is Richard. He's a partner in your stepfather's business, and he's very interested in marrying you."
Lena's mind reeled in horror. She'd heard of Richard – a 40-year-old man with a beer belly and a reputation for being ruthless in business.
"How could you do this to me, Mom?" I screamed, my voice echoing through the cafe. "I'm not some commodity to be traded away for your benefit!"
Monica's expression turned ugly, her eyes flashing with anger. "You ungrateful child," she spat. "I'm only trying to do what's best for you. You have no future, Lena. You're not smart enough, not talented enough. This is your only chance at a decent life."
I felt tears streaming down my face as I screamed at my mother. "You're only doing this for the money, aren't you? You don't care about me at all!"
Monica's face twisted in disdain. "Be grateful, Lena. This is an opportunity of a lifetime."
Lena's vision blurred as she pushed back her chair and stumbled out of the cafe. She didn't see the truck coming, didn't hear the screech of tires or the crunch of metal. All she felt was a blinding pain, and then everything went black.
As she lay on the ground, her vision fading to darkness, Lena realized that her mother's ultimatum had been the final blow. She'd lost all sense of security, all sense of self. And now, she wasn't sure if she'd ever find her way back.