Willow's POV
The morning air was crisp, laced with the anticipation of what lay ahead. I’d been up before dawn, packing and repacking, my hands working mechanically, but my mind racing, tangled in the web of thoughts and memories I couldn’t seem to unravel. Today was the day I’d finally go back to the place I’d tried to leave behind, the place that held both the roots of my past and the scars that had shaped me.
Ruby arrived promptly, a warm, familiar presence amid my nerves. She held a steady gaze as she gave me a reassuring smile. “You ready for this, Willow?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, trying to summon some confidence.
She put a hand on my shoulder. “Just… be careful, okay? You’ve got people here who need you.” Her gaze softened as she glanced towards the stairs, where
