Chapter 35. Jolt of Panic

Lilly’s POV

Zack escorted me back to my room after our meeting, looking worried about leaving me alone following my emotional breakdown in his office.

Everything felt surreal. My emotions were raw and messy.

In less than a day—after I had tried to escape for a better life—I learned that I had a brother and a family waiting for me just around the corner. I could hardly wrap my head around it. The thought of finally belonging somewhere filled me with both hope and dread as I wondered what my family would be like and if I could truly fit into this new life.

My mind was swirling with thoughts. I was slowly processing everything he had told me, but the information was overwhelming.

The hardest part wasn’t just discovering that I had a family, though accepting that was difficult. It was the realization that they never stopped searching for me. The thought of their relentless search filled me with a mix of gratitude and sorrow. How could I reconcile the