IVORY POV
Walking up the path to my front door felt like a dream. The air felt cleaner, the sun felt warmer, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I could actually breathe without feeling like the walls were closing in. The weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders, and the phantom sound of sirens had finally faded into the background of a quiet, suburban afternoon.
My mom didn't even wait for us to knock. She threw the door open, her face a mask of pure, unadulterated joy mixed with the kind of relief only a parent can feel.
"My baby!" she cried, throwing her arms around me and squeezing me until my ribs.... almost healed now gave a tiny protest. I didn't care. I buried my face in her shoulder, smelling the familiar scent of home.
"I knew it! I knew justice wou
