151
Sienna’s POV
The entire room was in my peripheral vision as I looked around. When I thought about it, it was either the nights when I cried in the corner of the bed, trying to keep my pain at bay or the long hours spent writing. It was a very distant but close experience.
I locked my suitcase and closed it with slow steps. The. It was a soft, final click. I felt a new sensation within me, courage, not fear, as my heart beat slower. It was so powerful.
After inhaling deeply, I thought to myself, “Sure enough, Sienna. It’s time to go home.”
It wasn’t for lack of effort. It was a daunting task to engage in conversation with Liam, given the many wounds and potential tears that could be shed. Noah’s innocent demeanor and pure smile made me feel like I could
handle it.
I glanced at the soiled area once more. It was so neat. This place had been a quiet reminder of my struggles, where I had both lost hope and found strength once more. With ease, I picked up my suitcase and bag, as well as the manuscript I was going to deliver. There was a sense of relief, optimism, and lust that propelled me.
I was not just packing things up today. I was reconciling my thoughts, emotions, and the course of action that were imminent. It felt like a fresh start.
Standing in the middle of it, I allowed silence to exist. The wooden floor was covered in warm, soothing patterns influenced by the morning sunlight that passed through thin curtains. It felt lighter, as if it had also recognized my decision.’
My gaze slowly swung around the room. There was a memory in every corner: the stack of books on the small bookcase where I would write late into the night, the window where one could often see past rain and the silence between silent tears on walls. All were present. In the past, this was my dwelling place, but it was also where I learned how to deal with myself.
After walking back to the desk, I wiped my face and ran over its spotless surface. I said, “thank you softly, wondering if it was me or the small room where I had been safe from harm.”
A small picture arranged between the books caught my attention, depicting Noah’s laughter and cheeks melting with ice cream. After that, I picked it up and stared at it for a long time. The smile that always tugged at my heart
whenever I felt disoriented.
When I said, “Mommy’s coming home,” tears just streamed down my face.
However, these were not tears of sorrow.. It was as if they were a source of release, freeing me from the weight of my past fears, doubts, and guilt. With my fingertips, I washed them and deposited the photo into my wallet.
Upon reaching the other end, I was led to the opposite side where there was this white plant in a small pot that sat still. Its leaves had grown a bit fuller than when I first bought it. I gave a faint smile. “Are you okay? I think I can, too, and turned the pot upside down to get more sunlight. Oh, wow!”
For the time being, I sat on the chair next to the window and let my face get warm from the sun. I experienced a profound, indescribable peace of mind. It was the first time in a long time that I didn’t feel like running away
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+25 BONUS
from anything. The need to conceal my wounds through work or excuses was no longer present in me. All of it, including Liam’s, were within my reach as I was ready to face them all.
A notification from the publisher confirmed that my manuscript had been received, as my phone chirped and buzzed on the desk. I was beaming with a smile on my face. This was not solely a final chapter in my life, but it also marked countless hours of perplexity.
As I stood, I took a brief glance around and said goodbye, as if to say goodbye to an area that had watched me mature. I then tapped the suitcase against the wall with a steady heart.
Perhaps this is what a new beginning signifies, not because everything is flawless, but because I have the determination to move forward regardless of what awaits me in the future.
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