Fiona’s POV
I closed the bathroom door behind and leaned against it, my back sliding down slowly until I was sitting on the cold tiled floor.
That was when it hit . Not the scolding or my father’s words, not even Catherine’s lies, but the absence.
I covered my mouth with my hand as the first sob escaped, sharp and ugly. My chest hurt like sothing inside was cracking open, like a wound that never healed had just been torn wide again.
"Mum... I whispered.
"I wish you were here,. "I really wish you hadn’t left ."
My shoulders shook violently as I pressed my forehead to my knees. The bathroom slled like soap and disinfectant, too clean, too empty. Everything felt wrong without her, everything always did.
"If you were here," I whispered through tears, "Daddy wouldn’t hate ."
My voice broke completely at that.
"He wouldn’t choose them over . He wouldn’t look at like I’m nothing."
I hugged myself tighter, nails digging into my arms as if I could physically hold myself together.
"You always believed ," I cried softly. "Even when I couldn’t explain myself properly. You always listened."
Images flooded my mind — her laugh, warm and soft. The way she used to stroke my hair when I cried. The way she slled like lavender and ho. The way she called her little miracle.
"I’m tired, Mum," I sobbed. "I’m so tired of fighting alone."
My breathing ca out in broken gasps. The hurt sat heavy in my chest, suffocating. It felt like I was six years old again, standing in front of her grave, not understanding why the world kept spinning when mine had stopped.
"I didn’t plan any of this," I whispered desperately, as if she could hear . "I didn’t plan to et him. I didn’t plan to leave. I just... I just wanted to breathe again."
Tears dripped down my chin and onto my dress.
"I didn’t know being happy would cost my family."
The door creaked softly.
I froze, panic flashing through as I wiped my face quickly, but it was too late.
"Fiona?"
Ella’s voice called, it was gentle and worried.
I didn’t answer, I couldn’t. If I opened my mouth, I would shatter all over again.
She pushed the door open slowly and gasped when she saw sitting on the floor.
"Oh my gosh..." she whispered.
In two quick steps, she was beside , dropping her bag without caring where it landed. She knelt and pulled into her arms before I could even protest.
And that was it. I cried into her shoulder like I’d been holding it in for years. Loud, ssy sobs that shook my whole body. I clutched her shirt like it was the only thing keeping grounded.
"I want my mum," I cried helplessly. "I just want my mum."
Ella didn’t say anything at first. She just held tighter, rubbing my back slowly, letting cry it out like she knew this pain wasn’t new — it was old, deep, and aching.
"I know," she whispered softly. "I know."
I pulled back slightly, tears still streaming down my face.
"He hates now," I said brokenly. "My dad hates . He said he regrets calling his daughter."
Ella sucked in a sharp breath. "He didn’t an that."
"He did," I said imdiately. "I saw it in his eyes."
My hands trembled as I wiped my face again.
"They all think I planned everything. Like I’m dirty." My voice cracked. "I didn’t even know he bought the school."
Ella shook her head fiercely. "That’s not your fault. None of this is."
I laughed bitterly. "Everything bad that happens sohow ends up being my fault."
She cupped my face gently, forcing to look at her.
"Listen to ," she said firmly. "You are not wrong for leaving if you weren’t treated right. You are not wrong for loving soone who treats you well. And you are not wrong for choosing yourself."
Her words made sothing inside loosen, hust a little.
"I miss her so much," I whispered. "Sotis it feels like she’s the only one who ever truly saw ."
Ella pulled back into her arms again.
"She raised you," she said quietly. "That kindness you still have? That strength? That’s her. She didn’t leave you empty."
I closed my eyes, breathing her in, clinging to those words like a lifeline.
We stayed there on the cold bathroom floor for a long ti.
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