A COWBOYS REDEMPTION

𝐈𝐌 𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐘

It doesn't even hurt knowing we're not together anymore. What hurts is knowing how hard this is gonna be. How I still haven't gotten any of my stuff back, and I'm terrified to go back to the house I called home for three years. I don't even know where to start.

Sienna squeezed my hand gently, and her eyes softened with sympathy. "Milia, listen to me, okay? You are going to be okay. I promise." You're here with me. You're safe. And away from him. He can't hurt you anymore."

I took in a shaky breath, her words sinking in like a weight lifting off my chest. For a moment, I let myself believe it—really believe it.

He couldn't hurt me anymore. I wasn't trapped anymore.

And then, everything hit me all over, and I broke down again.

I hadn't let myself believe it would be over, but now that it was, the relief felt almost as suffocating as the pain.

Just then, the door bell rang and my eyes shot towards Sienna. "Are you expecting someone?" I asked, my voice cracking.

Sienna stood up, giving me a small smile as she walked toward the door. "I know me being here and comforting you probably isn't enough to make you feel better," she said, her voice gentle. I stared at her, confused, not sure what she meant by that.

She didn't say anything else as she reached for the doorknob, opening the door to reveal two people I hadn't seen in over a year. My heart dropped into my stomach.

"Mom? Dad?" I whispered in complete shock.

Without saying another word, I stumbled toward them, collapsing into their arms. My mom wrapped me up tightly, "Oh, come here, my baby."

My parents had been out of my life for so long, thanks to Malakai telling me I couldn't see them. I hadn't even realized how much I'd needed them until now. My dad held me close as he rubbed my back, telling me it was all going to be okay.

After a few minutes, my mom gently pulled back, wiping her own tears. "Let's sit down, honey."

We all moved to the kitchen table, and I wiped my eyes, trying to steady myself.

"Milia," my dad started. "Honey, can you tell us what's been going on? We barely spoke to you since we moved back to Louisiana. What happened?"

I looked away, biting my lip. I hadn't told them about the pain I endured over the past year. The fights. The fear. Everything. They loved Malakai like a son. How could I tell them the truth without crushing them?

My mom reached out, gently taking my hand. "Mimi, come on, tell us," she urged, her eyes full of concern. I met her gaze, and I saw the worry all over her face. I knew what I had to say would break their hearts. And it shattered me just thinking about it.

I took a deep breath. "Um... there really is no easy way to put this," I said, my voice trembling.

They waited, silent and patient. My heart was racing now, a tear slid down my cheek as I choked out the words. "Malakai... he has..." I couldn't finish the sentence. The words stuck in my throat, and I couldn't bring myself to say it.

My mom squeezed my hand, her touch warm and comforting. She didn't push me to say more, just let me breathe.

"Malakai has been hitting me." I finally admitted.

My mom's hand shot to her chest, her eyes wide in disbelief. "W-what?" Her voice cracked, like I'd just broke her heart.

I nodded, feeling my throat close up. "I caught him texting another girl a year ago. And when I confronted him about it... he, um... he attacked me."

The silence in the room felt suffocating. "A year ago? Milia, you've been going through this for a fucking year?" My dad finally spoke, his words rose with anger, and I flinched.

"Dad, please," I whispered, trying to keep it together.

He stood up, his chair scraping back so loudly it echoed through the house. "Milia, why wouldn't you tell us this? We could've helped you get the hell away from him!"

"I—I don't know," I stammered. "I was scared."

"Scared of what?" His voice cracked, "Milia, we are your parents!"

I flinched at his words, but before I could say anything else, my mom grabbed his hand. "Joseph," she said softly, "Do you seriously think she needs to hear you shouting and hitting things? Imagine how much of that she's heard for the past year. Our baby is traumatized."

My dad froze, realizing what he'd just done. His eyes softened, and he reached for me, pulling me into his arms. "Oh, baby... I'm so sorry."

I cried in my dad's arms, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like I was truly safe. I needed this. I needed them.

The sound of footsteps made me pull away and I watched as Sienna walked into the room, glancing at the overturned chair. "So..." she said with a raised eyebrow, "Based on the shouting and the chair on the floor, I assume you told them?"

I nodded, wiping my eyes. "Yeah, I told them," I said, my voice still shaky.

Sienna gave me a small smile before turning to my parents. "Don't you guys worry. Milia already has a new place to stay. And that's right here with me."

My mom smiled, her eyes filled with gratitude as she stood and walked over to Sienna, pulling her into a tight hug. "I thank you so much for always looking out for our baby girl."

Sienna squeezed her back. "Mrs. Melanie, she's my best friend. I'd do anything to protect her. Even if she is hard-headed."

We all laughed softly as I wiped my tears away.

"So..." Sienna grinned at me. "Did you tell them about the cowboy?"

My eyes widened in panic. "Sienna!" I gasped.

Both my parents turned to look at me, their expressions curious. "Cowboy?" My dad asked, raising an eyebrow. "You're dating a cowboy now?"

I shook my head quickly. "God, no," I muttered, my face burning with embarrassment. "Wyatt was just a patient of mine for a week, and he sent me flowers. That's how I got the cut on my face." I pointed to the scar.

"Oh, baby, I'm sorry," my mom said, reaching over to touch my face softly. I smiled, thankful for their concern.

My dad chuckled lightly. "Well, is the cowboy nice?"

Sienna grinned widely. "Well, he beat Malakai's ass for hitting her at the bar."

My mom's eyes went wide. "He did?" she gasped. "Oh, Milia, maybe you should give this cowboy a chance."

I rolled my eyes, not listening to their nonsense. "I won't be giving anyone a chance for a very long time."

"Oh, please, Milia," Sienna said with a teasing smile. "He's basically pining after you."

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "Sienna, stop."

My dad chuckled, shaking his head. "Milia, if you like him, it's okay. We won't judge."

I threw my hands up in frustration, standing and making my way toward the stairs. "I'm going to put some clothes on," I muttered, trying to escape the conversation before it got any worse.

Sienna called after me, her voice full of mock innocence. "You know it's true."

I ignored her and ran up the stairs, but as I reached the top, I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face, just thinking about Wyatt.

??°

"Grandma, please, can we just let this go?" I pleaded, hoping she'd drop the whole thing about Milia's dick head of a boyfriend pressing charges. "He had it coming. No man should lay a hand on his woman, 'specially not one as sweet as Milia." I added, walking back into the shop.

My grandma barged in behind me, shaking her head, just as I spotted Akhilles walking in with his work suit on. "Wyatt, no! I will not let this go!" she snapped, her finger pointing at both of us. "I didn't raise you to go around knockin' folks out in bars."

I rolled my eyes, over this conversation. "Grandma, listen, he deserved it, okay?"

Akhilles, chimed in with a grin, "Ooh, we're talkin' 'bout how Buckie knocked that dude on his ass at the bar?"

"Akhilles, it is not funny!" Grandma shot back, her voice sharp. "My grandbaby could go to jail!"

Akhilles snickered, throwing his arm around my shoulders like this was all a big joke. "Come on, Mrs. Heidi. This is my best friend. I'd never let him get arrested."

I shoved him off, side-eyeing him feeling even more irritated. "Hey, don't be mad at me!" he said, throwing his hands up.

"Wyatt, look, I don't understand. This girl's got a boyfriend. Why're you pining so hard after a taken woman?"

Her words hit me hard, and I went silent, staring at the floor. "Wyatt... you better answer me, boy!" she pressed, her arms crossed, and eyes narrowing. I let out a heavy sigh, dropping my shoulders.

"He hits her, Grandma." I admitted. I watch as Akhilles's grin faded, and Grandma's face softened, her eyes wide with shock.

"Ah, now it makes sense," Akhilles muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

I rolled my eyes again, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed.

Grandma took a step closer, her hands wrapping around mine, forcing me to look into her eyes.

"Wyatt... baby, I understand you still blame yourself for what happened to your mother, but you were just a child. There was nothing you could've done."

Her words made my chest tighten as I thought about memories I'd rather keep buried.

I pulled away, my heart pounding in my ears.

"No, Grandma, you don't get it," I said, my mind racing back to that day.

"I stood there and did nothing while he choked the life out of her. I'm the reason my mother's gone."

Grandma's eyes widened, her hand flying to her chest like I'd given her a heart attack. She was silent, for once at a loss for words. I closed my eyes, trying to push the image away, but it stuck, as it always did.

"Look, Grandma..." I started, but she cut me off, "No, Wyatt. I won't let you sit here and blame yourself for what happened when you were just ten years old!"

I went quiet, my mind still thinking about everything. I then heard the soft jingle of the bell on the front door. I looked up and saw Milia standing there, seeing her made my chest tighten and ease all at once.

"Milia?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Grandma's head shot over to me, then to Milia, her eyes narrowing. "Milia?" she whispered, not quite believing it.

Milia smiled, starting to play with her finger—something I'd noticed she did every time we spoke. "Hi," she said, her voice soft but clear.

Grandma turned back to me, her mouth moving silently as she said, "She is beautiful."

I nodded, chuckling under my breath. "Yeah, she is," I murmured, unable to look away from Milia.

Akhilles stepped up, placing his hand on grandma's back. "Alright, Mrs. Heidi, how about you show me those new hibiscus flowers growing out back?"

"Oh yes!" she replied before they both rushed out, leaving me and Milia alone.

I took a step closer to her, my eyes tracing the new hairstyle she'd gotten. Brown and blonde braids with curls that fell down her back. They made her skin glow even more, and I couldn't help but admire her. "Milia, what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice soft but curious.

She bit her lip, her eyes darting to the floor before meeting mine again. "Uh... I came because I owe you an apology."

I stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue, my heart thumping in my chest.

"You don't even know me, and you still gave me the satisfaction of seeing Malakai being put on his ass," she said, a small laugh escaping her lips. "I've never had anyone fight for me before, except Sienna. I really appreciate what you did for me at the bar."

I nodded, a slight smile tugging at my lips. "I just don't like seeing pretty women suffer at the hands of men who don't respect them."

Milia giggled, a sound so sweet it made my smile grow bigger. She groaned, covering her face as if she was shy. "Ugh... why are you doing this to me?"

I took another step closer, my eyes never leaving hers. "What? Am I wrong for just wanting to see that beautiful smile of yours?"

She scoffed, shaking her head, "You are too much."

I laughed, the sound filling the space between us. We both went quiet again, the silence feeling comfortable. Milia glanced around the flower shop, her eyes curious. "Why are you always here in this flower shop?"

"My grandma owns the place," I explained, looking around. "I come and help her out twice a week. But ever since I broke my arm, I've been here a bit more."

Milia tilted her head, as if she was trying to figure me out. "What do you do when you're not here?"

"I'm a farmer. I grow my own vegetables and fruits, then sell them to the local markets in town."

She nodded, a soft smile on her face. "Then there's also the bull riding, right?"

I chuckled. "Then there's the bull riding."

She nodded again, her eyes sparkling. "So what do you do when you're not in scrubs?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Milia bit her lip, a little shy. "I paint."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You paint?"

"Yeah, when I was in college, I minored in art," she said, her smile growing.

I was impressed. "She's beautiful and creative... sounds like a perfect combination to me."

Milia laughed, a sound I could get used to. We went quiet again, the moment stretching until she finally said, "Uh... I came down here just to apologize, so I guess I should get going now."

She started walking toward the door, and I felt a sudden panic that this couldn't be the last time I saw her. I needed to see her again. When she reached the door and pushed it open, I finally found my voice.

"Milia!"

She turned around, her eyes meeting mine, curious and soft.

"I-I was wondering... Would it be possible for me to get your number?" I asked, my nerves making my voice shake a little.

Milia smiled, stepping back inside. "Sure."

She walked over, holding out her hand. "Phone?"

I quickly pulled it out, handing it to her like it was the most important thing in the world. She typed in her number and handed it back, her eyes meeting mine once more.

"I'll see you around, Buckley."