Chapter 7: Shadows of Doubt
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Favour felt the glow of her return to writing, but the world outside her room had not stopped moving. Comments started trickling in from her readers — some encouraging, some… sharp.
One message caught her eye:
"This isn't your best work. Are you even trying?"
Her chest tightened. For a moment, she wanted to close her laptop, to run away from words that stung as much as rejection had before. She remembered how easy it had been to believe her own doubts last year — how fear had silenced her imagination.
But then she remembered the nights of laughter, the thrill of characters coming alive, the pride of being first, and the fire that had never truly gone out. She remembered her mother's unwavering support, the quiet belief that had carried her this far.
Favour clenched her fists and whispered to herself:
"This is mine. My story. I will not let it be stolen by fear or doubt."
She reread her draft, finding moments of brilliance she had almost overlooked. Then she rewrote, polished, and strengthened every sentence. By the time she finished, the page shone with her creativity, her heart, and her courage.
The shadow of doubt hadn't disappeared — it never would completely. But Favour had learned something vital: shadows can't stop the light inside you from shining, as long as you choose to keep going.
That night, she closed her laptop, heart pounding with pride and relief. For the first time in months, she truly believed: she could do this, no matter what the world said.
Tomorrow, the fire would burn even brighter.
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