Chapter 4: Torn Paths
595 Words
Thorian stood quietly outside Zephyra’s house, waiting until her breathing steadied. She had cried, shouted, and finally calmed down in his arms. He wanted to stay, to comfort her through the storm of heartbreak, but he knew he couldn’t.
“I’ll be fine,” Zephyra whispered, her voice raw.
Thorian hesitated but nodded. “I’ll see you soon.”
As she walked inside, Thorian's heart remained heavy. He worried about her, wishing he could do more.
Inside the house, Zephyra found her mother bustling in the kitchen while Mia and Casey chatted at the table. They seemed blissfully unaware of the chaos swirling inside Zephyra’s mind. Her heart hardened. The man in this house is making our lives miserable, she thought bitterly.
That night, unable to keep the burden any longer, Zephyra approached her mother.
“Mom, I need to tell you something,” she began hesitantly.
Her mother sighed deeply, her expression weary. “You saw him, didn’t you?”
Zephyra’s eyes widened. “You knew?”
“I did,” her mother admitted softly. “Mia told me. I didn’t want to burden you with it. I was trying to hold this family together.”
Tears filled Zephyra’s eyes, but she nodded. “I understand, Mom.”
---
Weeks turned into months, and soon, Zephyra’s university admission came through. On the day of her orientation, her family gathered, though the absence of her father was a gaping void. Zephyra’s heart ached with longing for an apology that never came.
Later, as she and Thorian spoke under the oak tree, he smiled gently. “Next year, I’ll graduate. I’ll follow you wherever you go, Zephyra.”
Her heart fluttered at his words, warmth spreading through her chest.
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One afternoon, while Zephyra was walking through the university campus, Mia arrived unexpectedly, her eyes red and swollen.
“Let’s go home,” Zephyra said urgently, not needing an explanation.
When they arrived, their mother was crying uncontrollably, with Casey sobbing beside her.
“What happened?” Zephyra asked, dread creeping into her voice.
“He left,” her mother choked out. “Your father left without a word.”
Zephyra’s mind reeled. Why? Why did he choose that woman over us? Why not us? Her heart shattered anew.
Days turned to weeks, and their lives spiraled downward. Their business failed, debts piled up, and they lost their rented house. They were broke, uncertain of where to go.
Mia took a job at a shop to help support the family. Their mother, desperate, found work as a babysitter. Casey was sent to live with Mia to ease their mother’s burden.
But Zephyra couldn’t stand being a weight on anyone. When she heard that her father’s sister was looking for a nanny in New Zealand, she made a bold decision. She called her aunt, who agreed and sent money for the plane ticket.
“You can’t go,” her mother pleaded. “I don’t want to lose you too.”
“I have to, Mom,” Zephyra insisted, her voice firm. “I don’t want to be a burden.”
Her mother wept, but eventually, she relented.
Without informing Thorian, Zephyra packed her bags. Everything happened too quickly. The day came when she boarded the plane, leaving behind her mother, Mia, Casey—and Thorian.
As the plane ascended into the clouds, Zephyra stared out of the window, tears silently falling.
This is for my family, she told herself. Life will be better here.
But deep down, uncertainty gnawed at her heart.
Would it really be better?
- Writer
