Chapter 51

• As the plane descended toward the familiar skyline of California, my heart fluttered with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. It had been two long years since we left, fleeing from the memories and pain that had haunted us. But now, as we made our way back to California, it felt like the time had finally come to face our fears head-on.
• Gathering our belongings and saying our goodbyes to the friends who had become like family during our time away, I couldn't shake the feeling of nervous energy that coursed through me. The prospect of returning to California, to the place where it all began, filled me with a sense of unease. But alongside the fear, there was also a glimmer of hope—a belief that perhaps this time, things would be different.
• As we boarded the plane and settled into our seats, the weight of the past two years hung heavy in the air between us. My son, nestled snugly in my lap, looked up at me with wide eyes, sensing the gravity of the moment. Beside me, my mother offered a reassuring smile, her hand resting gently on mine, a silent reminder that we were in this together.