Maria sat alone in her room, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm light over her as she delved into her memories. She closed her eyes, allowing the past to flood her mind like a torrent of emotions.
As a child, Maria had often dreamt of running away, of escaping the suffocating grip of her narcissistic mother. The verbal and physical abuse she endured at home left scars that ran deep, scars that were not visible to the naked eye but etched into her very soul.
There were countless nights when Maria would huddle in her tiny bed, tears streaming down her cheeks as she imagined a life far away from the toxic environment she called home. She would pack a small bag with a few belongings, only to stop at the door, her resolve crumbling at the thought of leaving behind her baby siste
