Chapter 35 Esmeralda's Pov

• The morning sun kisses the earth as I make my way out of the cabin, a basket in hand, ready to tend to the small vegetable garden in the backyard. The fresh air is a welcome change from the stifling tension of my nightmares.
• The garden, though modest, has become my safe haven over the past few days. Its neat rows of leafy greens and budding tomatoes feel like a small victory against the chaos of my life.
• I kneel by a patch of herbs, my fingers sinking into the soil as I pull at a stubborn weed. The repetitive motion is soothing, grounding me in the present.