Chapter 58: The First Morning
Lily slept for twelve hours straight.
Maya checked on her every few hours, standing in the doorway, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. Each time, she felt a small wave of relief. She was still here. Still sleeping. Still safe. The shadows under her eyes seemed a little lighter. The tension in her jaw had eased. She looked like she was finally resting, finally letting go of whatever had been gripping her so tightly. Maya wanted to believe that sleep was the beginning of healing, that rest would quiet the noise in her daughter's head. She wanted to believe that everything would be okay. But she knew healing didn't happen in a single night. She knew there would be good days and bad days, steps forward and steps back. She was ready for all of it, but
