Chapter 5: Returning Home

The nurse walks in with a warm smile, holding a clipboard in her hands. "Good news," she says. "You’re being discharged today. Just take care of yourself and avoid stress."

She nods, listening quietly. The nurse hesitates for a moment before asking, "Is someone coming to take you home?"

She pauses. The answer should be simple, but the weight of it presses down on her. After a brief hesitation, she shakes her head. "No, I'll manage."

The nurse studies her for a moment but doesn’t push further. Instead, she hands over the necessary paperwork and leaves, giving her space to gather her thoughts.

Once she steps out of the hospital, a cool breeze greets her. She wraps her arms around herself and hails a taxi. As she settles into the back seat, she feels the familiar mix of anxiety and determination brewing inside her. She is going back—to the house where she had spent the most painful years of her life.

The ride feels longer than it should, her mind drifting through memories she would rather not relive. When the taxi finally pulls up in front of the house, she takes a deep breath before stepping out.

The moment she enters, laughter and chatter fill the air. The dining table is full, everyone enjoying their meal, completely unaware of her presence. Their smiles, their happiness—it all comes to a halt when they see her standing there. Silence falls like a heavy curtain, the warmth in the room replaced by an uncomfortable stillness.

Then, breaking the silence, her stepsister forces a smile and walks toward her. "Why didn’t you call?" she asks, her tone light but not quite natural. "I would have come to pick you up."

She meets her sister’s gaze, unreadable. The old her would have longed for this kind of attention, but now, she knows better.

She steps forward, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on her. This is just the beginning, and she will not falter.

To be continued…