The room fell quiet again, save for the rustle of the curtains stirring with the breeze.
The golden light of sunset spilled across the floorboards, painting Ava's face with a warm glow.
She rubbed the back of her hand across her cheeks, drying what tears she could.
Her chest felt lighter now, though the ache lingered.
She had finally let her pain out, spoken it into the open air where it could no longer poison her alone.
Yet even as she breathed easier, the heaviness of what she had done remained.
Her mother squeezed her hand once more, then rose slowly from the bed, her joints creaking softly.
She smoothed her skirt with both palms and looked down at her daughter with a gentle but steady gaze. "Ava, listen to me.
If you truly pity him, if you truly regret, then don't sit here by the window another night whispering to yourself.
Find him. Speak to him. Even if he turns away, you will know you tried.
