TESSA.
My hands were still shaking by the time I reached the front steps of the house. I didn’t even remember how I got home. I didn’t remember the walk from the hospital, or crossing the street, or opening the gate. Everything felt foggy, like I was moving underwater, dragging a body that didn’t feel like mine anymore.
When I pushed the door open, the house felt too quiet. Too still. Almost like it had been holding its breath, waiting for me.
I took one shaky step inside.
And then my mother rushed out from the hallway.
“Tess!” Her voice cracked the moment she saw me. “Where did they take you? I came back to your room but it was empty.”
She looked terrified—hair messy, eyes wide. For a second, something in my heart tugged. A small, fragile piece of me wanted to run into her arms and
