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Chapter 23 – Balancing Acts

ผู้เขียน: Triple G
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2025-09-22 22:03:58

Selene woke up before the alarm, her body still heavy with exhaustion. Jonah had been restless during the night, and though she cherished his little murmurs and sleepy hugs, she longed for just one uninterrupted stretch of sleep. She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, gathering the will to rise.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Mariah lit the screen: Don’t forget—job fair today. I’ll pick you up at 10.

Selene rubbed her eyes. The job fair. She had nearly forgotten. She had been debating whether to go—whether she was ready to take that next step. Working part-time at the community center was fulfilling, but it didn’t pay enough to build the future she wanted for herself and Jonah. Maybe today could be the start of something new.

After breakfast, she dressed Jonah in a bright yellow shirt and dropped him off at her aunt’s house. On the way, she whispered encouragement to herself. “You’ve got this. One step at a time.”

At the convention center, Selene felt small at first, su
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  • Selene: A Journey from Shadow to Light   Author’s Note

    Dear Readers,As I close this book, my heart is full. Writing Selene: A Journey from Shadows to Light has been one of the most vulnerable and transformative experiences of my life. When I first imagined Selene, she was not just a character on paper—she was a reflection of resilience, of pain and triumph, of the countless ways we are shaped by what we endure. In many ways, her journey mirrors not only pieces of my own story but also pieces of so many people I’ve met along the way.From the first chapter to the very last, I wanted to give you more than a narrative—I wanted to give you honesty. Selene faced losses that shook her to her core: the absence of a mother, the heartbreak of losing her father and grandparents, the betrayal of friends and relationships, and the challenges of carrying more than her fair share of pain at such a young age. But within all of that, I wanted her story to shine a light on something even more powerful: the human spirit’s ability to keep going, to forgive

  • Selene: A Journey from Shadow to Light   Chapter 30 – Into the Light

    The morning sun spilled across the kitchen table as Selene sipped her coffee, Jonah humming quietly as he colored beside her. His small voice broke into her thoughts.“Mama, when I grow up, I’m gonna be fast like you.”Selene smiled, brushing her fingers through his curls. “You’re already faster than me.”It was a small moment, but it filled her with a deep sense of peace. The storms of the past—the loss, the betrayals, the chaos—still lived inside her, but they no longer controlled her. She was not defined by what had broken her, but by how she had rebuilt.⸻That week, the community center hosted its annual showcase. Parents, children, and volunteers filled the space with laughter and energy. Selene moved through the crowd like a steady anchor, guiding her staff, encouraging the kids, checking on details without losing her smile.Angela approached her, eyes wide with admiration. “You know, Selene, you’ve built something here. It’s more than just programs and activities—it’s a family

  • Selene: A Journey from Shadow to Light   Chapter 29 – Cracks in the Foundation

    The call from Jonah’s preschool came in the middle of Selene’s afternoon tutoring session. She stepped into the hallway to answer, her stomach tightening.“Ms. Graham,” the teacher’s voice was gentle, “Jonah had a bit of an incident today. He got upset during group time and pushed another child. He’s not hurt, and neither is the other student, but he was very emotional. We think it might help if you came early today.”Selene’s chest clenched. Jonah had never lashed out like that before. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” she said, already gathering her things.She explained quickly to her team that she had to leave. As she rushed out into the gray afternoon, guilt gnawed at her. She had been so focused on managing her staff and proving herself at work—had she missed signs that Jonah was struggling more deeply?⸻When she arrived at the preschool, Jonah was sitting in the corner with his stuffed dinosaur, tears streaking his cheeks. Selene knelt beside him.“Hey, baby,” she said softly

  • Selene: A Journey from Shadow to Light   Chapter 28 – Trial by Fire

    It happened on a Wednesday afternoon, the kind of day that seemed ordinary until everything unraveled. Selene had just finished reviewing lesson plans when she heard shouting from the main activity room. Her heart sank—she recognized Angela’s sharp tone.By the time she arrived, chaos had broken out. Angela and Darius were at it again, this time in front of the children.“You always undermine me!” Angela shouted.“Because you don’t know what you’re doing!” Darius snapped back.The children sat wide-eyed, frozen in their seats. A few whispered nervously, while Marcus clutched his sketchpad like a shield.Selene’s pulse raced. This wasn’t just a petty argument anymore—this was damaging the environment she had worked so hard to create.“Enough!” Her voice rang louder than she expected. The room fell silent. “This is not the place for personal battles. You’re here for the kids, not to air your grievances. Step outside. Now.”Angela and Darius hesitated, but the fire in Selene’s eyes left

  • Selene: A Journey from Shadow to Light   Chapter 27 – The Weight of Leadership

    The tutoring program had barely been running for two weeks when Selene realized leadership wasn’t as simple as motivating children. It meant dealing with personalities, expectations, and conflicts among her coworkers too.On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, she walked into the staff lounge to find two of her team members—Angela and Darius—arguing heatedly.“I told you I needed the resource binder!” Angela snapped. “How am I supposed to run math group without it?”“You don’t own it, Angela,” Darius shot back. “I needed it for my session too.”Selene froze in the doorway. They hadn’t noticed her yet, but the tension was palpable.Taking a steadying breath, she stepped forward. “Hey, what’s going on?”Both turned toward her, voices overlapping as they tried to defend themselves. Selene held up her hand. “One at a time.”Angela crossed her arms. “He’s hoarding the materials.”Darius rolled his eyes. “She acts like she’s the only one teaching.”Selene thought back to her grandfather’s advice—lis

  • Selene: A Journey from Shadow to Light   Chapter 26 – Balancing Acts

    The first month at the nonprofit passed quickly, each day a whirlwind of lesson planning, tutoring, and one-on-one moments with the children. Selene thrived in the structure, but it wasn’t without sacrifice. Her mornings began before dawn—packing Jonah’s lunch, dropping him at preschool, rushing to catch the bus—and her nights ended late, often with her falling asleep over her notes for the next day.One Thursday morning, she overslept. Jonah was cranky, refusing to put on his shoes, and by the time she arrived at the center, she was ten minutes late. Her supervisor, Mrs. Albright, gave her a pointed look.“Traffic,” Selene muttered, though she hated lying.Mrs. Albright only nodded, but Selene knew she couldn’t let this become a habit. Her new role meant more than just a paycheck—it was the foundation for the future she was building.⸻At home, Jonah began to notice the changes too. “Mommy, why you always so tired?” he asked one night as she tucked him in.Selene’s heart ached. “Beca

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