Her lover thoughts (My safe place)

The morning sunlight slipped gently through the small window while my mother carefully braided my hair. Her fingers moved softly, full of warmth and love. “Look at your beautiful hair! You’re going to look so pretty,” Mom said excitedly. I stood up from the chair and spun around happily while singing a little nursery song. “You’re going to become a talented singer just like Daddy, sweety,” she added with a smile. I threw my arms around her neck and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Mommy! When I grow up, I’ll become a famous singer and take care of both you and Daddy. We’ll live happily together forever.” Mom laughed softly and hugged me tightly. But suddenly, the front door slammed open. Dad stumbled inside. The strong smell of alcohol filled the room immediately. His clothes looked messy, and his eyes were red from drinking. Mom quickly stood up. “Why are you drunk this early in the morning? Where have you been these past few days? Why didn’t you come home? Did you forget you have a daughter waiting for you?” Before she could continue, Dad roughly pushed her aside. “You b***h, get away from me,” he snapped coldly. I froze in fear. I was only five years old. All I could do was cry quietly and hope they would stop fighting. Lately, this had become normal. Dad always came home drunk, and Mom would cry while they shouted at each other. I never understood why. “Mom, are you okay?” I asked weakly through tears. “Please don’t be mad at Daddy.” Suddenly, Dad grabbed my shoulders roughly. “All you do is cry!” he shouted directly into my face. “Stop becoming like your mother!” My small body trembled in fear. “I-I’m sorry, Daddy… I won’t cry anymore,” I stammered while forcing myself to hold back my tears. Mom immediately pulled me away from him. “I’m so tired of this!” she cried. “Why have you changed? She’s your daughter! You used to love her so much!” The shouting continued loudly around me. But slowly, everything became blurry. It felt like I was standing there, yet I no longer existed. All I heard were screams, crying, and angry voices. Money had always been tight in our family. Mom worked hard doing sewing and cleaning jobs around the neighborhood, while Dad performed as a singer at small local events. At first, our little family was happy despite struggling financially. But everything changed as I grew older. Mom worked harder. Dad became colder. And somehow, I started believing it was my fault. Was I really a burden? Did I ruin their happiness? Did my existence destroy our family? — I suddenly jolted awake from my sleep. Cold sweat covered my body while tears rolled down my cheeks. I hugged my knees tightly and cried quietly in the darkness. “Mom… why did you leave me?” I whispered painfully. “Daddy hates me…” The memories never stopped haunting me. After Mom left, life became even worse. Dad often disappeared for days, leaving me alone at home without food. Sometimes he wouldn’t return for three whole days. One afternoon, a neighbor found me digging through trash because I was too hungry. When Dad returned home, the neighbor screamed at him angrily after seeing my condition. I was dirty, skinny, and weak. That night, Dad packed all my belongings into the car without saying much. I remember hugging the teddy bear Mom had sewn for me while staring out the window during the long drive. Eventually, we stopped in front of a small but neat house surrounded by blooming flowers and a large tree in the yard. The place looked peaceful. “Daddy,” I asked softly, “where are we?” Dad stepped out of the car and grabbed my bag from the trunk. “Listen carefully, Laura,” he said coldly. “This is your grandmother’s house. From now on, you’ll live here.” I felt fear rise inside my chest. Then he looked directly at me and said words that shattered my heart forever. “Your mother left because of you. And I’m leaving you here because I don’t need you anymore.” I immediately held back my tears. Crying only made people hate me. “Please, Daddy…” I begged quietly while clutching his shirt. “I promise I won’t eat from rubbish anymore. Please don’t leave me here…” Dad handed me a folded piece of paper. “Give this to your grandmother.” Then he walked back to the car. The engine had never stopped running. I watched helplessly as the car slowly drove away from me. “Daddy!” I chased after the car while crying desperately, but he never looked back. Suddenly, the porch light turned on. The front door opened slowly, revealing an elderly woman with gray hair and glasses. She looked at me with surprise. “Hello, sweety,” she said gently. “Who are you?” I stopped crying immediately. I didn’t want her to hate me too. Quietly, I handed her the paper Dad gave me. She read it silently before looking down at me again. Without saying another word, she held my tiny trembling hand, carried my bags, and slowly led me into the house. And from that day onward, Grandma became my home. — Eleven years later. I poured tea into two cups while Grandma finished cooking breakfast. The smell of pancakes filled the kitchen warmly. “I have a doctor’s appointment today,” Grandma said while placing food on the table. “I might come home late. Are you still going to work after school?” I nodded while eating quickly. “Yeah. I need money for my classes next week. If I want to enter Adeline’s music school in the city, I need perfect grades.” Grandma sighed worriedly. “Don’t overwork yourself, my dear.” “I’ll be okay,” I replied with a small smile. “It’s only temporary.” After breakfast, I washed the dishes quickly before grabbing my school bag. “Bye, Grandma. Love you.” She smiled softly. “Be careful, Laura. Love you too.” As I left the house, Grandma quietly watched me disappear down the road. Her smile slowly faded. “She really looks like her mother,” she whispered sadly. Laura had grown into a beautiful young girl with long wavy hair, deep blue eyes, and soft elegant features. But Richard had left behind more than abandonment. He left scars. Every night, Grandma heard Laura crying in her sleep from terrible nightmares. Every smile Laura showed hid years of pain and loneliness. And Grandma knew something Laura didn’t. A week ago, the doctor told her the cancer in her stomach had spread aggressively. She didn’t have much time left. Grandma slowly sat down at the dining table while staring at Laura’s empty seat. “If I leave this world,” she whispered shakily, “who will protect my child?” Laura had already lost too much. Her mother. Her father. Her childhood. Grandma feared Laura would lose herself completely once she was gone too. Tears slowly filled her tired eyes. “I’m sorry, Laura,” she whispered painfully. “Please forgive Grandma for hiding this from you.” Outside, the wind gently blew through the blooming flowers surrounding the little house. And somewhere far away, a lonely girl continued chasing a dream while carrying a broken heart she never deserved.