DEVIS HOUSE – AMBER'S POV
Amber slowly closed the door behind her, leaning against it.
Her eyes, usually so sharp and controlled, softened as she looked at Mrs. Devis.
Amber:
"I… don't know about you, ma'am.
But to me… I see you as my mother." 😊
She looked down, voice trembling slightly.
Amber:
"My childhood was… horrible.
I never knew love… never felt a mother's warmth.
So when I heard Laurant's lies… that Justin's life would turn out like mine…
I couldn't think clearly.
My love for him… my desire to protect him… blinded me." 🥲
"And yet… I understand you now.
As a mother."
Her words hung in the room.
A heavy silence followed.
Every heart felt the weight of her pain, her courage, and her honesty.
Guilt seeped into everyone present.
---
AMBER'S ROOM – LONELINESS AND REFLECTION
Once alone, Amber sat in the corner of her room.
Her hands gripped her knees.
Her mind replayed the scene—Justin thrown into the piranha tank, his terrified face, Jonathan's desperation… the helplessness of it all.
Amber:
"You… almost lost him.
And it was because of me." 🥲
Her chest tightened.
The memories refused to fade.
Every scream, every drop of fear—it haunted her.
She let out a shaky breath, staring at the plain wall ahead.
Amber:
"I failed him… I failed all of them.
If I want them safe… if I want him truly happy…
I need to stay away.
Let them grow without me… let them heal…" 🥲
Tears welled up, but she refused to let them fall.
It wasn't just guilt.
It was the realization that she had no experience with love… no understanding of what it truly meant to be a mother.
Amber:
"I was brought up alone…
I thought one could grow without love.
But I was wrong.
I'll learn soon enough…
and maybe then, I can finally deserve them."
She pressed her forehead against her knees, letting the silence envelop her.
For the first time, Amber allowed herself to feel small, vulnerable, and human.
---continue