Born With A Curse

**Chapter 18: The Tears Unspoken**

The rain drummed softly against the window as Meera sat on her bed, her phone abandoned beside her. Her heart felt heavy, and her eyes were filled with unshed tears. She had tried so hard to stay strong, to keep everything inside, but the weight of her thoughts was crushing her.

Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door, and her father, Mr. Waller, entered the room. His eyes, though tired, were full of concern as he watched his daughter quickly wipe her tears away.

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** Chapter 19: A Father’s Comfort**

“**Oh, Papa!**” Meera said, trying to sound cheerful as she gestured for him to come in. “**Please, come in.**”

Mr. Waller gave her a kind smile and slowly approached, his steps careful as he navigated with his cane. He sat down beside her, taking her hand in his, feeling the warmth of her palm.

“**I’ve been noticing that something is troubling you, Meera,**” Mr. Waller said softly. “**Are you alright?**”

Meera nodded quickly, her voice catching in her throat. “**Yes, Papa. I’m okay.**”

But her eyes betrayed her, glistening with the emotions she had tried so hard to bury. She wanted to shield her father from the truth, to hide the pain that had been eating away at her for years. Yet, Mr. Waller wasn’t fooled. He had been watching his daughter withdraw, slowly losing herself to her fears.

“**Meera,**” he began, his voice filled with quiet authority, “**I know you’ve been carrying something heavy for a long time. Is this about your mother?**”

Meera stiffened, her heart beating faster. She hesitated, not wanting to admit the truth, not wanting to reopen old wounds. But she couldn’t lie to her father.

“**No, Papa. It’s nothing, really,**” she murmured, her gaze dropping to the floor.

Mr. Waller took a deep breath, his eyes softening. “**Meera, I’ve seen you struggling, and I think it’s time you know the truth about what happened when you were born. You’ve been carrying guilt for too long—guilt you shouldn’t have to carry.**”

Meera’s voice was barely above a whisper. “**Are you talking about... what happened to Mom?**”

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