Chapter 284
The kitchen was warm. The morning light streamed through the window, casting golden patterns on the worn wooden floor. I sat at the table, my hands wrapped around my teacup, letting the warmth seep into my palms.
Today had been heavy. But it had also been healing.
I thought about Lilith. The way her hand had trembled in mine. The way she had said thank you like she meant it from the bottom of her soul. The way she had finally let me see the pain she had been carrying for so long.
I thought about my mother. The way she had held us both. The way she had cried. The way she had finally said the words I had been waiting to hear my whole life.
"I've been waiting for so long. I thought it would never happen."
I let out a breath and looked around the kitchen. This room had seen so much. Arguments. Tears. Silent meals eaten in cold distance. But today, it had seen something different. Something that felt like hope.
I was about to stand up and head upstairs when I heard it.
