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CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE —

Mila had spent the past year feeling like a shadow to her older sister Marisol. Marisol was always the golden child—perfect grades, star athlete, the one their parents bragged about. Meanwhile, Mila was just "the other daughter." But everything changed when she started receiving letters from her mom, Katherine, who was unjustly imprisoned. Katherine's letters painted a picture of a desperate woman wronged by the system, begging Mila to help her.

Katherine's letters became more frequent and more pleading. She wrote about the corrupt officials, the lies that led to her imprisonment, and how only Mila could save her. Mila, feeling overlooked and yearning for a chance to prove herself, finally decided to take action.

She meticulously planned the breakout for weeks, using every resource she could muster. Today was the day.

Mila's heart raced as she approached the high-security prison where her mother, Katherine, had been unjustly held. Today, everything she had prepared for would be put to the test. She felt a mixture of fear and exhilaration, driven by a desperate need to step out of Marisol's shadow and finally do something significant.

The visitation room was stark and intimidating, with harsh fluorescent lights and a heavy air of despair. Mila's pulse quickened as she saw Katherine, her once-vibrant mother now looking pale and weary, sitting at one of the tables. Mila forced a reassuring smile as she approached.

"Hi, Mom," Mila greeted softly, her voice tinged with a mix of affection and urgency.

Katherine looked up, her eyes a mix of relief and anxiety. "Mila, it's so good to see you. How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, Mom," Mila replied, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "But we don't have much time. Today's the day."

Katherine's eyes widened with a mix of hope and fear. "Mila, what are you talking about? It's too dangerous. You can't risk your life for me."

Mila leaned in, her voice a whisper. "I've got everything planned, Mom. We can't let them keep you here. You don't belong in this place, and I can't stand by and do nothing."

Katherine hesitated, but seeing the determination in Mila's eyes, she nodded. "Alright. What do we need to do?"

Mila glanced around, ensuring no one was listening. "A guard on our side is going to create a diversion in ten minutes. When it happens, we need to move fast. Here, take this." She handed Katherine a guard's uniform and a key card.

The next few minutes felt like an eternity. Mila and Katherine sat tensely, waiting for the signal. Finally, a loud bang echoed through the facility, followed by shouts and alarms. The diversion had started.

"Now!" Mila whispered urgently, handing the uniform to Katherine. "Put this on."

Katherine quickly donned the uniform, and Mila led her through the ensuing chaos. They navigated the corridors, avoiding the panicked guards rushing toward the explosion site.

"Stay close to me," Mila instructed, her eyes scanning every corner.

They moved swiftly, hearts pounding, until they reached a side exit where their contact, the sympathetic guard, waited. He handed Mila a set of keys and gave them a tense nod.

"Good luck," he said, his voice barely audible over the commotion.

"Thank you," Mila replied earnestly before leading Katherine outside to a nondescript car parked nearby. They climbed in, and Mila started the engine, her hands trembling with adrenaline.

As they sped away from the prison, Katherine reached over and squeezed Mila's hand. "I can't believe you did this. Thank you, Mila. Thank you so much."

Mila smiled through her tears of relief. "We're not out of the woods yet, Mom. But I promise, we'll get through this together."

Marisol came home from hanging out with Sam, who had been a great comfort since the breakup with Eli. Though she still loved Eli, Marisol knew she couldn't keep chasing after him. This was their third breakup, and it weighed heavily on her heart. As she pulled into the driveway, Marisol noticed several police cars parked outside her house. Her stomach churned with anxiety as she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

When she stepped out of her car, an officer approached her. "This is a private matter, ma'am," he said firmly.

Marisol's anxiety spiked. "I live here," she retorted, pushing past him and running up to her dad, George, who was talking to another officer. "Dad, what's going on?" she demanded, her voice trembling.

The police officer turned to Marisol, his expression serious. "When was the last time you saw your sister?" he asked.

Marisol's mind raced. "This morning," she replied, her voice shaking. "Why?"

George took a deep breath and turned to his daughter. "Mila broke your mother out of jail," he revealed, his voice heavy with worry.

Marisol's eyes widened in shock. "What!?" she exclaimed, feeling the ground shift beneath her feet. Natasha, her stepmom, came running over and pulled Marisol into her arms.

"Nat, wh—why would she do this?" Marisol sobbed, burying her face in Natasha's shoulder. First, the breakup with Eli, and now this? She could feel the pressure building, threatening to push her into a manic episode.

Natasha cupped Marisol's face in her hands, her eyes filled with concern. "Mila left a note for you," she said softly, handing her a piece of paper.

Marisol's hands trembled as she opened the note. It read:

"Marisol, I'm done being in your shadow. I want to be my own person. Mom has been sending me letters, and I had to break her out."

Marisol stared at the words, her heart pounding in her chest. "She... she felt like she was in my shadow?" she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Natasha hugged Marisol tightly. "She's been manipulated, sweetheart. Your mother must have convinced her that this was the only way."

Marisol shook her head, feeling a mix of anger, fear, and heartbreak. "We have to find them," she said, her voice steady despite the tears. "We have to bring them back."

George nodded, his expression resolute. "The police are already on it. We'll do everything we can to find them and bring them back safely."

As Marisol stood there, clutching the note, she realized just how much her family had fractured. She felt a surge of determination. No matter what, she was going to help find Mila and bring her back home. She wasn't going to lose another person she loved.

---

Hours later, Marisol sat in her room, staring at the ceiling, trying to process everything. The house was eerily quiet except for the occasional muffled conversation between her dad and the police officers downstairs. She could feel the tension in the air, a heavy blanket of dread and uncertainty.

She heard a soft knock on her door. "Marisol, can I come in?" Natasha's voice was gentle, almost hesitant.

"Yeah," Marisol replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Natasha entered the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I know this is a lot to take in. I can't imagine how you're feeling right now."

Marisol let out a shaky breath. "It's like everything is falling apart, Nat. First Eli, now this. I don't know how much more I can handle."

Natasha reached out and took Marisol's hand. "You're stronger than you think, Marisol. And you're not alone. We're all here for you."

Marisol nodded, trying to take comfort in her words. "What if we don't find them? What if something happens to Mila?"

"We will find them," Natasha said firmly. "And when we do, we'll make sure Mila knows how much she's loved and that she doesn't need to be in anyone's shadow."

Marisol looked at Natasha, seeing the determination in her eyes. It gave her a small spark of hope. "Thanks, Nat. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Natasha smiled and squeezed her hand. "We'll get through this together, I promise."

As the evening turned into night, Marisol lay in bed, clutching the note from Mila. She couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and hurt, but she also couldn't ignore the love she had for her sister. No matter what, she was determined to bring Mila back and heal the wounds that had been opened. And she knew she wouldn't have to face it alone.

Marisol lay in her bed, the soft glow of moonlight casting shadows on her bedroom walls. Her mind was restless, and as she tossed and turned, the haunting images of a nightmare began to take form.

In her dream, she found herself in the old childhood home she shared with her family before everything fell apart. The house looked the same, down to the smallest details. The pastel walls of her bedroom were adorned with posters of her favorite bands, and the air smelled faintly of her mother's perfume. She was playing with Sophie, who was giggling and arranging dolls on the floor. Baby Mila's cries echoed from the nursery down the hall, growing louder and more distressed.

Sophie excused herself to go to the bathroom, and Marisol, feeling a sense of duty and concern, walked to the nursery to check on her baby sister. Mila was in her crib, red-faced and wailing. Marisol tried to calm her, gently stroking her back and whispering soothing words, but it was no use. The crying only intensified, filling the room with a sense of helplessness.

Suddenly, Katherine stormed into the room. Her face was twisted in anger, and her eyes bore into Marisol with a terrifying intensity. "What the hell are you doing, Marisol? Get away from her!" she barked, roughly shoving Marisol aside. Katherine picked up Mila, who almost instantly quieted down in her mother's arms.

"This is all your fault!" Katherine shouted at Marisol, her voice full of venom. Marisol's heart sank, and she felt an overwhelming wave of guilt and fear.

Marisol gasped and jolted awake, her body drenched in sweat. She clutched her chest, her heart racing and breath coming in shallow gasps. The digital clock on her bedside table read 2:33 am. She sat up, feeling the oppressive weight of the nightmare lingering in her mind. She needed to escape, to find some sense of comfort and clarity.

She grabbed her phone and car keys with trembling hands and quietly slipped out of the house. The cool night air did little to calm her racing thoughts as she got into her car. Her vision blurred with unshed tears, and her heart pounded loudly in her ears.

Driving through the dark, deserted streets, she was consumed by a mix of anxiety and determination. She needed to get to Sam's house, the only place she felt she could find solace. At a red light, she felt a sudden chill. Glancing at the passenger seat, she saw her mother sitting there, a sinister smile curling on her lips. Marisol's breath quickened, her chest tightening in panic. The sound of blaring car horns behind her snapped her out of the trance, and she hit the gas, driving frantically to her destination.

Finally, she arrived at Sam's house. She banged on the front door, her desperation palpable. After a moment, the door opened, revealing Sam in her pajamas, concern etched across her face.

"Marisol?" Sam said softly, seeing the state her friend was in.

Marisol's eyes were wide with fear, her face pale and tear-streaked. "Sam, I... I had to come. I can't be alone right now," she stammered, her voice trembling.

Sam stepped aside and pulled Marisol into a hug, guiding her inside. "It's okay, you're safe here," she whispered, holding Marisol tightly. "Come on, let's get you inside."

They walked to Sam's room, where Marisol sat on the edge of the bed, still trying to calm down. Sam sat beside her, rubbing her back in soothing circles. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked gently.

Marisol nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I had a nightmare about my mom... and Mila. It felt so real. And then, on the way here, I thought I saw her in the car with me. I'm scared, Sam. I don't know what to do."

Sam hugged her tighter, offering the comfort Marisol so desperately needed. "We'll figure it out together. You're not alone in this. We'll get through it, one step at a time."

Marisol clung to Sam, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the fear. She knew it was going to be a long and difficult journey, but with friends like Sam by her side, she felt like she could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Marisol sat on the edge of Sam's bed, her body still trembling from the remnants of the nightmare and the chilling hallucination in the car. Sam continued to rub her back, offering what comfort she could. The room was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of fabric and the soft hum of the air conditioner.

"Marisol, you're safe now. Take your time," Sam whispered.

Marisol took a deep, shaky breath and finally found the courage to speak. "Sam, there's more. Something happened today, and I don't know how to handle it." Her voice was a fragile whisper, teetering on the edge of breaking.

Sam's eyes widened with concern. "What is it? You can tell me."

Marisol swallowed hard, her mouth dry. "When I got home tonight, there were police cars everywhere. My dad and an officer were talking. They told me that... that Mila broke our mom out of jail. She's on the run with her right now."

Sam's jaw dropped in shock. "What? How? Why would Mila do that?"

Marisol shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears again. "Mila left a note. She said she's tired of being in my shadow and wants to be her own person. Our mom has been manipulating her through letters. I think... I think Mila's in danger, but she doesn't realize it."

Sam's expression softened with understanding and concern. "Marisol, I'm so sorry. That's a lot to deal with. Have you talked to anyone else about this?"

Marisol's hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. "No, I haven't. I just drove straight here. I couldn't think straight. I... I feel like I might be having a manic episode. Everything's been piling up: the breakup with Eli, Mila's disappearance, my mom's manipulation. I'm scared I might lose control."

Sam pulled Marisol into another hug, holding her tightly. "We'll get through this together. You're not alone. Let's take it one step at a time. First, we need to make sure you're okay. We can call your dad and let him know you're safe here. Then we can figure out what to do about Mila and your mom."

Marisol nodded against Sam's shoulder, finding solace in her friend's steady presence. "Thank you, Sam. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sam smiled gently. "You don't have to do anything without me. I'm here for you, always. Let's get some rest, and tomorrow we'll tackle this together."

Marisol agreed, feeling a bit more at ease. They made the call to Marisol's dad, assuring him that she was safe at Sam's house. Once that was done, Sam helped Marisol get settled in a makeshift bed on the floor.

As Marisol lay down, she felt a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. With Sam by her side, she knew she had the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Tomorrow would bring new obstacles, but for now, she allowed herself to rest, feeling a glimmer of safety and comfort in the presence of her best friend.

It was late at night in the airport, the dim lighting casting long shadows across the nearly deserted terminal. Mila and Katherine sat together, their disguises a desperate attempt to remain unnoticed. Mila wore a dark hoodie pulled low over her face, sunglasses, and a baseball cap. Katherine was similarly disguised, her once-glamorous appearance now subdued with a scarf and oversized sunglasses.

They had been waiting for hours, the tension palpable between them. Mila's heart pounded in her chest, her eyes constantly darting around, paranoid that someone might recognize them. The airport was eerily quiet, save for the occasional announcement over the PA system and the low hum of cleaning machines.

Mila glanced up at the television mounted on the wall. The screen flashed with the latest boarding information. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw their flight to the Bahamas was now boarding. She nudged Katherine, who looked up from the magazine she was pretending to read.

"Mom, it's time. They're boarding our group," Mila whispered, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Katherine nodded, her expression unreadable behind her dark glasses. "Let's go, Mila. Stay calm and stick to the plan."

They stood up, each grabbing their small carry-on bags. Mila had ditched her phone hours ago, knowing it could be used to track her. She had to stay one step ahead, for her own sake and for her mother's.

As they walked towards the gate, Mila's mind raced. She couldn't believe she had come this far. The letters from her mother had stirred something inside her, a yearning for freedom and a desire to step out of Marisol's shadow. Katherine's manipulation had been subtle but effective, playing on Mila's insecurities and dreams of independence.

The closer they got to the gate, the more Mila's nerves frayed. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. They handed their boarding passes to the gate agent, who barely glanced at them before waving them through. Mila let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

They walked down the jet bridge, the narrow passageway making her feel claustrophobic. Katherine placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, a rare gesture of comfort.

"We're almost there, Mila. Just a little longer," Katherine murmured.

Mila nodded, her resolve hardening. They boarded the plane, finding their seats near the back. As she buckled her seatbelt, Mila couldn't help but glance around, half-expecting the police to burst in and arrest them. But the seconds ticked by, and nothing happened.

As the plane began to taxi down the runway, Mila looked out the window. The city lights blurred past, a stark contrast to the darkness inside her. She knew there was no turning back now. She was all in, for better or worse.

As the plane lifted off the ground, Mila felt a strange mix of fear and exhilaration. She was leaving behind everything she knew, stepping into an uncertain future with the mother who had been both her tormentor and her savior.

Katherine reached over and squeezed her hand. "We're going to be okay, Mila. We have each other."

Mila nodded, forcing a smile. "I hope you're right, Mom."

The flight attendants began their routine safety demonstrations, but Mila's mind was elsewhere. She replayed the events of the past few weeks: the letters, the plan, the escape. It had all seemed so surreal, like a twisted game she was a pawn in. But now, sitting on this plane, it was all too real.

As the plane soared above the clouds, Mila tried to calm her racing thoughts. She thought about Marisol, her father, and Natasha. Would they understand why she did what she did? Probably not. But she couldn't dwell on that now. She had made her choice.

"Mom," Mila whispered, looking at Katherine. "What are we going to do once we get there?"

Katherine smiled, a hint of the old charm she used to possess. "We'll start fresh, Mila. New identities, new lives. The Bahamas is a big place, and with the right connections, we can disappear."

Mila nodded, trying to find comfort in her mother's words. She leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes. For now, all she could do was trust Katherine and hope that this gamble for freedom would pay off.

As they flew through the night, Mila felt a strange sense of liberation mingled with her fear. She was no longer in Marisol's shadow. She was charting her own course, even if it was alongside her manipulative mother. Only time would tell if she had made the right decision, but for now, Mila was ready to face whatever came next.

ASH SPEAKS!

okay eli is still endgame!!!

also sorry for what im about to do to mila😘