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Chapter 9: The Morning After

Author: Titan
last update Last Updated: 2025-11-26 19:52:39

Elena woke to sunlight streaming through the curtains and the sound of movement in the hallway. She sat up quickly, disoriented for a moment before remembering. Lily was here. Her daughter had slept in the next room.

She found Lily standing in the hallway outside the bedroom, looking small and lost in the oversized t-shirt Elena had dressed her in the night before. The child's hair was tangled, her eyes still puffy from crying.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Elena said softly.

Lily turned toward her, confusion clear on her face. "Mommy?"

"Yes, baby. You're at my apartment. Do you remember coming here last night?"

Lily's forehead wrinkled as she tried to recall. "I remember being at school. And the stage. Everyone was looking at me and I couldn't breathe right."

"You had a panic attack during your performance," Elena explained gently. "The school called me and I came to get you. You stayed here last night."

"I don't really remember that part," Lily admitted, her voice small and scared. "E
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