Chapter 30

Daphne

Yesterday, I was scared. Terrified, even convinced I was losing my mind. But this morning felt different.

For the first time in a long while, I felt calm. As if all my problems had evaporated overnight, leaving me light as a feather.

My thoughts were empty. No fear. No ache. No lingering presence. I felt like myself again.

And yet, a strange thought brushed past me—what if I wasn’t calm because I was healed, but because something inside me had gone missing?

Maybe it was finally gone.

I climbed out of bed and released a slow breath before stepping into the hallway. Mother was seated at the table, fully absorbed in her calculations, her brows drawn together in concentration.

“Hi, Mom,” I said, hugging her from behind and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

She startled slightly before relaxing into my embrace. Turning her head, she smiled at me and gently rubbed my arm. “You look so happy today,” she said. “I miss this side of yo