Chapter 3

A Familiar Stranger

Sameera’s POV

My legs felt like jelly.

I wanted to run.

I needed to run.

But I couldn’t.

Not when she was standing there, blocking the only way out.

"Ma… Mama?" My voice trembled, barely above a whisper.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes scanning me—calculating. "You didn’t answer me, Sameera," she said, taking a slow step forward. "Where were you planning to go?"

I swallowed hard, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. "I—I just wanted to see Papa," I blurted out.

Her expression didn’t change.

A chill ran down my spine.

"You want to see your father?" she repeated, her voice eerily soft.

I nodded quickly, my chest rising and falling in shaky breaths.

She smiled. But it wasn’t the smile I remembered—the warm one she used to give me when I scraped my knee or had a nightmare. No, this one was different.

Colder.

"Then come," she said, turning toward the door. "I'll take you to him."

Something in my gut twisted.

This wasn’t right.

She was too calm. Too... detached.

But what choice did I have?

I took a hesitant step forward, my heart hammering against my ribs.

I had nowhere else to go.

I hesitated, my bare feet barely making a sound on the cold floor. My mother—my mother—was leading me somewhere, but every instinct in my body screamed at me not to follow.

Still, I moved.

Because if I didn’t, what then?

She pushed the door open, stepping into the dimly lit hallway. I trailed behind her, my hands trembling at my sides. The house was eerily silent, except for the soft tapping of her heels against the floor.

She didn’t look back.

Not once.

Something about that sent a shiver down my spine.

She stopped in front of a door. A large, heavy door.

For a moment, she simply stood there, running her fingers along the handle, as if lost in thought. Then, she pushed it open.

I peeked inside, my stomach twisting at the sight before me.

A small, dimly lit room.

No windows.

No warmth.

Only a chair.

And… chains.

I took a step back. "Mama…?"

She turned to me then, finally meeting my eyes.

There was no kindness there. No love.

Just something cold. Unfamiliar.

"You wanted to see your father, didn’t you?" she murmured.

My lips parted, but no sound came out.

She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. Her touch was soft, almost gentle.

Almost.

"Sameera," she whispered, her voice laced with something I couldn’t name. "It’s time you understand… he’s never coming back."

My breath caught in my throat.

And that was when I knew—this wasn’t my mother anymore.

Before I could react, she shoved me into the room. I stumbled, landing hard on the cold, unforgiving floor. Pain shot through my palms, but I barely felt it over the icy dread crawling up my spine.

From the doorway, she spoke—her voice low, almost casual—to the broad-shouldered men standing in the hallway. I couldn’t make out the words, but I knew one thing for certain.

It wasn’t a request.

It was an order.

"Why would mama do this to me?" I questioned no one in particular as I knew this was probably the end for me. Not like I still cared though, the only man who ever supported me is gone so what am I living for?

A moment later, the men stepped inside, closing the door behind them.

And that was when I realized… this nightmare was only just beginning.