Chapter 148

DAHLIA

The house felt colder than I remembered.

Quieter, too… like it already knew we were leaving.

I dropped my bag by the door and just… stood there.

Looking around.

Breathing memories I wasn’t ready to let go of.

The framed family picture by the console.

The chipped vase my dad bought on their anniversary.

The corner where my brother used to stack his shoes and pretend he’d “clean up later”.

The wall my mom painted lilac because she said the colour made her feel alive.

Every piece of this place whispered something.

Every corner tugged something loose in my chest.

I tried to start packing…really, I did…because that was what I was here for… or maybe it was the lie I told myself because I didn’t want to admit I needed a place to hide for the moment… But each drawer I opened felt like ripping open old wounds.

I folded some clothes.

Stacked some books.

Then sat on the floor.

Then… somehow,