Lisa’s POV
By the time the car pulled into the driveway, I didn’t wait. The door opened, I stepped out and walked straight inside. No pause, no glance back, no acknowledgment of anything around me.
The house felt the same but I didn’t feel like I belonged in it that evening.
“Dinner is ready, ma,” one of the staff said gently.
I shook my head. “I’m not eating.”
She hesitated. “Should I…”
“No.” My voice came out softer than I intended but final, I walked past her. By the time I got to my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it. My chest felt tight, not from panic or from fear. Just… from too much thinking, I dropped my bag on the chair. Sat at the edge of the bed, I didn’t change, then lay back slowly and closed my eyes.
I don’t know how long I slept, minutes, hours.
