Bound By Scars

CHAPTER 5: "A Day To Remember"

I woke up to the sound of birds singing outside my window.

For a few seconds, I stayed still, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above me.

Then I remembered.

The new country.

The new mansion.

The new beginning.

A small smile appeared on my face.

For the first time in a long while, waking up did not feel like preparing for another painful day.

There were no cruel voices waiting for me.

No footsteps following me through a hallway.

No fear sitting heavily inside my chest.

Just peace.

I slowly sat up and looked around my room.

Everything still felt unreal.

The large windows allowed sunlight to fill every corner. The flowers beside the window moved gently because of the cool breeze entering through the open space.

I walked toward the mirror and studied my reflection.

I was still Ariana.

The same girl who had spent years hiding her pain.

But something was different.

I was no longer trapped.

A knock came from my door.

"Come in," I called.

My mother entered with a bright smile.

"Good morning, sleepyhead."

I laughed softly.

"Mom, I am not sleepy."

She looked at the clock.

"You slept for almost ten hours."

I looked away.

"Maybe I needed it."

She smiled sadly but lovingly.

"Maybe you did."

There was no sadness in her voice this time.

Only understanding.

She walked closer and touched my hair gently.

"Today is not about the past."

I looked at her.

"Then what is it about?"

She smiled.

"Us."

That single word warmed my heart.

After getting dressed, I went downstairs where my father was already waiting at the dining table.

He was reading something on his tablet while drinking coffee.

The moment he saw me, he immediately placed the device down.

"Good morning, princess."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Princess?"

He nodded seriously.

"Yes. It is official."

My mother rolled her eyes as she sat down.

"Charles, you cannot just give her a new title every day."

"Why not? She is my daughter."

"And yesterday she was your little queen."

"Exactly. Today she has been promoted."

I tried to hold back my laughter.

I failed.

A small laugh escaped my lips.

Both of them looked at me.

"What?" I asked.

My father smiled.

"Nothing."

But I knew exactly what he was thinking.

He was happy.

Happy because I was laughing.

Breakfast was different from the ones I was used to.

Nobody rushed away.

Nobody checked their phones every few minutes.

My father actually listened when I spoke.

My mother asked questions about things I liked.

Simple things.

Favorite foods.

Favorite colors.

Places I wanted to visit.

Things parents were supposed to know.

And it surprised me how much they wanted to learn.

After breakfast, my mother stood up dramatically.

"Everyone get ready."

I looked at her suspiciously.

"For what?"

She smiled.

"Adventure."

My father sighed.

"I knew this was coming."

"You knew?"

"Yes. Your mother has been planning this since yesterday."

My mother crossed her arms.

"And you are still coming."

My father looked defeated.

"I am the CEO of a company, but somehow I have no power in my own house."

I laughed again.

And honestly...

I liked seeing him like this.

Not as a powerful businessman.

Not as someone everyone feared.

Just my father.

The first place we visited was a small café in the heart of the city.

It was nothing like the expensive restaurants I expected.

It was warm, colorful, and peaceful.

Small flowers decorated the tables, and soft music played in the background.

My mother immediately chose a table near the window.

"This place is beautiful," I said.

"I thought you would like it," she replied.

My father looked at the menu.

"I will take the safest option."

My mother looked at him.

"You always say that."

"Because safety is important."

"You are ordering pancakes."

"Exactly. Pancakes have never betrayed me."

I laughed.

My mother shook her head.

"You are impossible."

"And yet you married me."

She smiled.

"Unfortunately."

My father placed a hand over his chest dramatically.

"That hurt."

I watched them argue playfully and realized something.

I had never seen them like this before.

They were not distant.

They were not strangers.

They were just two people who loved annoying each other.

And somehow, it made me feel normal.

After eating, we walked through the city.

The streets were beautiful.

People walked freely.

Children laughed.

Couples held hands.

Everything felt alive.

At an ice cream shop, my mother stopped suddenly.

"Wait."

My father looked concerned.

"What happened?"

She pointed at the shop.

"Ice cream."

He stared at her.

"We just ate."

"And?"

"You are hungry again?"

"I am not hungry. I am happy."

My father looked at me.

"Your mother has strange logic."

I smiled.

"I think I understand her."

My mother proudly handed me a menu.

"Exactly."

We each chose a flavor.

My father picked vanilla.

My mother picked strawberry.

I chose chocolate.

When my father tasted mine, he immediately looked offended.

"How is yours better than mine?"

"Because chocolate is better," I replied.

He looked at my mother.

"Did you hear that?"

"She has good taste."

He sighed.

"I am being attacked by my own family."

I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt.

And for a moment...

I forgot about everything.

I forgot the scars.

I forgot the fear.

I forgot the girl I used to be.

I was just Ariana.

A daughter spending a day with her parents.

After leaving the ice cream shop, we continued exploring the city.

I expected my parents to take us somewhere expensive.

Maybe a luxury store.

Maybe a private location where nobody could disturb us.

But instead, my mother led us through a beautiful street filled with small shops, colorful decorations, and people enjoying their day.

"This place is amazing," I said quietly.

My mother smiled.

"I wanted you to see that this country is more than business buildings and expensive houses."

My father nodded.

"Your mother is right."

I looked at him suspiciously.

"Did you just agree with Mom without arguing?"

He looked offended.

"I agree with your mother sometimes."

My mother raised an eyebrow.

"Sometimes?"

"Yes. Do not get too excited."

I laughed.

They both looked at me.

"What?" I asked.

My father smiled.

"I like that sound."

I looked away shyly.

It was strange.

I had spent so long hiding my emotions that even laughing felt unfamiliar.

But with them...

It felt easy.

Our next stop was a small shopping area.

My mother immediately became excited.

"Ariana, look at this."

She held up a beautiful bracelet.

"What do you think?"

"It is pretty."

She smiled.

"Then we are buying it."

I quickly shook my head.

"Mom, you do not have to buy me everything."

She paused.

Then she smiled softly.

"I know."

Her answer surprised me.

"I am not buying it because you need it."

She placed the bracelet in my hand.

"I am buying it because I want to give you things you should have received before."

My chest tightened.

I did not know what to say.

So instead, I hugged her.

She hugged me back.

Behind us, my father cleared his throat.

"Am I supposed to pretend I am not emotional right now?"

I pulled away and laughed.

"You are emotional?"

"Absolutely not."

My mother smiled.

"He almost cried when you hugged him."

"I did not."

"You did."

"I had something in my eye."

"What was in your eye?"

"Love."

My mother stared at him.

"That was the worst excuse I have ever heard."

I laughed again.

My father pointed at me.

"See? Your mother is bullying me."

"I think she is winning," I replied.

He looked betrayed.

"Even you?"

By evening, we arrived at the amusement park.

The lights were already glowing, making the entire place look magical.

Music filled the air.

People laughed as they walked around with colorful balloons and snacks.

My eyes widened.

"I have not been here before."

"That is the point," my mother said. "New country, new memories."

We started with the easiest rides.

At least, that was what my father called them.

The first roller coaster changed his confidence immediately.

Before the ride started, he sat proudly.

"I have handled business meetings with important people. This is nothing."

Five minutes later, he was holding onto the safety bar.

My mother looked at him.

"Charles?"

"I am concentrating."

"You are screaming."

"I am not screaming."

"You just screamed."

"That was a strategic reaction."

I covered my mouth, trying not to laugh.

I failed.

When the ride ended, my father stepped out slowly.

My mother smiled.

"Are you okay?"

"Of course."

"You looked terrified."

"I was making sure Ariana was safe."

I looked at him.

"Dad, you closed your eyes."

He immediately looked away.

"That is irrelevant information."

I laughed harder than I had in years.

Later, we played games at the carnival.

My father became determined to win a giant stuffed bear.

"You do not have to win it," I told him.

"I must."

"Why?"

"Because I have a reputation."

My mother crossed her arms.

"Your reputation is being terrible at carnival games."

He looked at her.

"Your support means everything."

"I support honesty."

After several attempts, he finally won.

He proudly handed me the giant bear.

"I knew I could do it."

My mother looked at the pile of failed attempts beside him.

"After twenty tries."

"Details."

I held the stuffed bear close.

And I smiled.

A real happy smile.

Not the small ones I forced before.

A real one.

When we returned home that night, my body was exhausted.

But my heart felt lighter.

After dinner, we sat together in the living room.

The laughter slowly faded into a comfortable silence.

Then I looked at them.

"Mom... Dad?"

They both turned toward me.

"Can I ask something?"

"Of course," my father replied.

I hesitated.

"Why did we move here?"I asked

Their expressions changed slightly.

Not with fear.

With understanding.

My father exchanged a glance with my mother.

Then he sat forward.

"There is something we need to explain."

And for the first time, I learned that our new beginning was connected to something much bigger than I realized.