My father's embrace felt warm. So warm that my chest ached—whether from the unfamiliar sense of safety, or from the fear of losing that warmth at any moment.
My trembling hands clutched my father's clothes tightly, as if letting go even slightly would cause the world to collapse again.
The dream, the shadows, the voices from the darkness—they all spun back in my head. About my family rejecting me, about me being alone in my previous life.
About the "original Liliane" who might appear and demand her life back.
My tears fell mercilessly, turning into suffocating sobs.
"I'm scared… I'm scared… everything felt so real… everything!" my voice trembled amidst the hiccups. "And… and I'm afraid you'll all hate me and leave me. I… am I not very shameful? Wasn't the previous Liliane not like me? Isn't it… isn't it…"
