The Break-in

Julia POV

I angrily stepped out of Shawn's room and headed to Mrs. Ashley's room to confront her. I opened the door without knocking and I met her reading a book.

You might be thinking about what has come over me, but anytime I'm angry, I can do stupid stuff.

"Well done," I said and she looked up at me. "I didn't cross your path, why then are you crossing mine? Stay on your lane while I stay on mine."

"I...I don't understand." She stuttered.

"Keep on with the pretense. Weren't you the one who sent Shawn to confront me?" I asked angrily. "You see..." I said not waiting for her to reply. "I've always taken you as a mother and I give you that respect, yet you refuse to respect yourself. I think it's high time I left this house because I sense that I've overstayed my welcome. My presence is no longer needed in this house." I said rushing my words then I turned to leave.

I can't stay here any longer. They are trying to lower my self-esteem. I can cope on my own, whereas, I've got some cash.

"Julia," she called, pain audible in her voice. "Don't go, I..."

I didn't listen to what she had to say, I stepped out of the room and banged the door after me.

I went to my room and started packing my clothes, throwing everything into the box. Ciara came in and looked shocked.

"Mom!" She exclaimed. "What are you doing? Why are you packing? Are we leaving?" She asked.

"We're leaving."

"But I like this place, I don't want to leave."

"Whether you like it or not, we're leaving."

"Mom, come on. You know we've got nowhere to go. Or... Is It because of the argument with uncle Shawn's mom?"

"Stop asking questions."

"What about Poojah? How will she cope? She might die in the..."

"Shut up!" I thundered. "Get out and don't disturb me." Grudgingly, she left the room grumbling to herself.

Just then, Shawn barged into the room anger written all over his face.

"What do you think you're doing? Where do you think you are going?" He asked but I ignored him.

"There is no way I'll allow you to leave. Ciara, go and lock the door and bring me the keys." He said and Ciara ran out of the room before I could say a word. When Ciara left, I was infuriated.

"I'm an adult and have the right to make my decisions. You don't have to care about my actions." I said and he laughed, a short laugh that didn't reach his eyes.

"You went to confront mom, right?"

"I see that she's trying to blackmail me. I went to meet her to give her a piece of my mind."

"Don't let me do something we would both regret."

"You don't want me to leave right, I'm calling the police straight away," I said and took my phone to dial 911. I wasn't joking one bit.

"You're not joking?" He asked as he charged towards me and dragged the phone.

"Give me the phone, else I'll bite you, "I said but he didn't budge.

"Do you know the harm that awaits you and your children if you leave?" He asked softly but I didn't listen to him. I was hell-bent on leaving. I struggled with him to collect the phone.

Just then, Ciara came in and I stopped struggling with him. I didn't want her to see me fighting ad I always preached against it.

Knowing I was fighting a lost game, I went out of the room and headed to Poojah's ward then I locked the door. Still seething with anger, my mind drifted away, then I felt my eyelids drooping, I slept off.

***Hours Later***

I woke up only to discover that everywhere was dark. I stared at Poojah who was lying on the bed. It has been two days since she had been in a coma, yet nothing was done. The doctor comes to check up on her though. She ought to be taken to the hospital but Shawn advised against it, saying it was risky. *Shawn...* I hissed *Why was I even thinking about him?* I still felt angry. I switched on the light and glanced at the wall clock. It was seven pm. I sighed then went to ease myself.

I went out of Poojah's ward, the house was quiet, unusually quiet. On a normal day, the noise of the children; Ciara and Steve would be heard.

My stomach growled. I was hungry but didn't have an appetite for food, so I decided to take a bottle of water and some fruits. I headed to the kitchen. I regretted going to the kitchen because I saw Shawn. He and Erastus were cooking and chatting.

Ignoring them, I went to the fridge took a ton of milk and a glass cup. I poured the content into the cup and drank it. Then I took some bananas and ate them with relish after which I drank water.

I noticed that Shawn also ignored me, but I didn't care.

"Hey, you want to taste some?" Erastus asked handing me some cheesecakes.

"No, thanks," I replied and he smiled.

"Care to join us?" He asked.

Why was he acting like this? Is it that he noticed I and Shawn aren't on talking terms?

"I've got to look after Poojah," I said.

"Can you at least help me to make some coffee? Please..."

"I'll do just that."

"You're such a darling." He said and blew me a kiss. I smiled.

I put on the apron and cap.

"Who are you preparing it for?" I asked.

"It's for Mrs. Ashley."

"I'm sorry, I can't help you," I said pulling the apron and cap, then I walked out of the kitchen.

Shawn POV

I ignored Julia all along. I wasn't that angry though, but I decided it was best.

Why does she hate mom so much, even to the extent of refusing to make coffee for her?

She's unpredictable.

I and Erastus helped in serving food on the dining table, soon we were all eating. Julia was the only one who was absent. I thought she would come later, but she didn't even though I sent Ciara to call her because I couldn't do that myself. I felt... Disappointed.

After eating, we all retired to our rooms. Steve and Ciara slept with me in my room for security reasons.

I couldn't sleep... I heard the tick-tock of the clock. Three hours passed, yet I couldn't sleep. I left my room and locked the door. Then I headed for Julia's room. She wasn't there, so I went to Poojah's ward.

Julia was lying on a mattress. I went to sit on the chair beside Poojah's bed.

Earlier on, the doctor was around and said her chances of living were slim. I sat on the chair, just staring at Poojah for what seemed like hours.

The room was quiet and it was only the tick-tock of the clock and Julia's breathing that could be heard. I began to feel sleepy, but I didn't want to go to my room. Quietly, I lay on the mattress beside Julia and used a pillow to demarcate us.

*************

I heard the sounds of someone whispering. I ignored it thinking it was my imaginations. Then sounds of glass breaking someone cursed.

Who the hell was that?