He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

So did I, and for a second, everything became perfectly still.

It felt as though the world had paused just to let us look at each other.

Her eyes widened slightly, her expression shifting from confusion into something softer. Something deeper.

“Daisy…?”

My throat tightened.

“Mom.”

That was all it took.

I crossed the distance between us in seconds, wrapping my arms around her before I could think about anything else. She hugged me just as tightly, and suddenly everything I’d been holding in for days cracked open.

Not loudly or dramatically, but just enough for me to feel it.

My eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered against her shoulder, my voice quieter. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come earlier.”

“It’s okay,” she murmured, her hand resting gently against my back. “You’re here now.”

She didn’t pressure me.

She understood.

She always did.

By the time we settled onto the couch, time seemed to slow around us.

We talked.

I didn’t tell her about the kidnapping.

I couldn’t.

Those were parts of my life that no longer belonged in this room. Parts that would sound insane if I ever tried to explain them.

So I kept it simple.

“I just… got overwhelmed,” I admitted, staring down at my hands. “Things got messy and I didn’t know how to deal with it.”

She nodded as though that was enough, never asking me to say more than I was ready to.

“You’ve always been stronger than you think,” she said softly.

I looked up properly for the first time.

She looked thinner. Paler, and the realization hit me harder than I expected.

“You look like you’ve been avoiding food, mum,” I said, forcing a small smile. “Or is this your new thing? Starving yourself until

come back and cook for you?”

She laughed lightly, the sound warm despite everything.

“Maybe I was waiting for your stir fry.”

“Of course you were.”

I stood.

“Stay right there. Your personal chef is about to fix this situation and bless bellies!”

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