Feng Suyin emerged from her mother's study, stepping into the hallway. The door clicked shut behind her. The delicate fabric of her light green summer dress rustled softly with the movement—a small, fragile sound against the weight of what had just happened.
A tempest of emotions swirled within her. Relief at finally speaking her truth. Relief so sharp it almost hurt. But also lingering tension, heavy in her chest, from defying her mother's wishes. Her hands were still shaking. She curled them into fists and kept walking.
Her dark eyes blazed with the determined fire that had sustained her through the confrontation. She hadn't felt this confident in a long time. Breaking free from the chains that bound her to the Feng family. The old Feng Suyin wouldn't have entertained such ideas. She would have feared how her parents would react. Would have swallowed her words. Would have apologized just to keep the peace.
That woman was gone.
She turned the corner—and stopped.
