Feeling utterly defeated, I made my way back home. As soon as I reached the doorstep, Lily and Irene rushed out, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.
"Jade! Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried we were?" Lily scolded, her voice filled with both relief and anger.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I just had to... I had to see Raven," I replied, my voice barely audible.
Irene put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We understand, sweetheart, but you should have told us where you were going. We were so worried about you."
I nodded, feeling guilty for making them worry. "I know, I'm sorry," I mumbled, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.
They led me inside and made me sit down, bombarding me with questions about where I had been and what had happened. But I couldn't bring myself to tell them the whole truth. I didn't want to worry them even more.
