جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 4

~MELANIE~The airplane touched down hours ago, but the heaviness in my chest never did.I tried to blame it on jet lag. Or the uncomfortable seat. Or the screaming toddler three rows ahead of us. Anything but the truth sitting like a stone in the middle of my ribcage.Allison kept humming different songs beside me, scrolling through hotels and restaurants we “absolutely have to try,” but my eyes remained glued to the car window as the city lights of Madrid blurred past. Madrid was breathtaking. It carried this soft winter chill that simply brushed your cheeks without sinking into your bones. Different lights hung all over the streets like glowing ribbons, warming the city with gold and red. The air smelled faintly of roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate, and every plaza we drove by was filled with life.Street musicians, small everyday markets, and people wrapped in scarves laughing their way between cafés. It felt festive, bright, and almost magical, as if the whole city was celebrat

~MELANIE~MOM.With hearts and smiley faces. I couldn't even delude myself into thinking she was concerned about my whereabouts because a line of the message was staring at me. A freaking demand for money. My thumb hovered over the notification before it opened on its own, like the universe insisted I see it completely.“You better send some money as soon as possible. Paul is very sick because of your stupid behavior last night. He is traumatized and needs to see a doctor as soon as possible. You need to take responsibility for this. Fix what you caused.”My stomach dropped.There was no Are you okay? No Where are you? No Come home, darling, let's resolve this?Just blame. More blame. Always blame.The words blurred as a tremor shot through my hands. My heart squeezed painfully, like it was trying to fold in on itself and just end this misery.Suddenly I could hear it again. Her screams, her fists, the crack of the shoe hitting my cheek. The cold air slammed into my skin as they th