Raya stood at the entrance of the airport, her heart pounding as she scanned the crowd for a familiar face. After being discharged from the hospital, she'd traveled from California to New York to start a new chapter with her Aunt Maggie. It had been years since she'd last seen her aunt, but the memories were vivid—her aunt's kind smile, her gentle voice. And when Raya spotted her, it was like a mirror to the past. Maggie was a perfect replica of her mother—same warm eyes, same curly hair falling past her shoulders. Raya froze as tears, ones she thought she no longer had, welled up and spilled down her cheeks. All the emotions she had bottled up over the years came rushing out at once. Her aunt spotted her at the same moment and, without a second thought, dropped her bags and ran towards her. "Raya!" Maggie's voice broke as she wrapped her arms around her niece, holding her tightly. Raya buried her face into her aunt's shoulder, and for the first time in a long while, she felt safe. They stayed like that for a while, neither of them speaking, just letting the emotions wash over them. Eventually, Maggie pulled back, her eyes glistening as she smiled down at Raya. "Look at you," she said softly, her voice full of love. "It's been too long." Raya nodded, wiping her tears and returning a weak smile. "I've missed you, Aunt Maggie. So much." Maggie squeezed her hand, then picked up Raya's bags and led her to the car. As they walked through the bustling airport, Raya took in her surroundings, the noise, the people, the vibrant energy of New York City. It had been ages since she'd been here. The last time was when she was just a child, tagging along with her mother on a business trip. It was one of the few memories of pure joy she had, spending time with both her mother and her aunt. They had explored the city, laughed together, and made plans for future trips that, unfortunately, never came to pass. Raya's thoughts drifted back to that time as they drove through the city. She stared out the window, watching the towering buildings pass by, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and sadness. How different her life had become since then. But there was also hope—a sense of new beginnings that she hadn't felt in years. Maggie must have sensed her silence because she started talking, filling the car with conversation about the city, about the bakery she now owned, about how much she was looking forward to having Raya stay with her. Raya listened, grateful for the distraction, but her mind kept wandering back to her mother, to the life she had left behind in California. When they arrived at Maggie's house, Raya was taken aback. The house was more beautiful than she could have ever imagined—a cozy, charming home nestled in a quiet neighborhood, farfar from the chaos of the city. It felt warm, inviting, a perfect refuge from the storm she had been through. Maggie helped her carry her bags inside, and Raya couldn't stop herself from gazing in awe at the home's interior. The walls were adorned with photos of her mother and Maggie from their younger days, and the house was filled with the scent of freshly baked goods, likely from Maggie's bakery. It felt like stepping into a different world. "Let me show you your room," Maggie said, smiling as she led Raya down the hall. "I hope you like it. I wanted to make it special." Raya's breath caught when she stepped inside. The room was beautiful—soft pastel walls, a large window letting in the sunlight, and a bed that looked like it could swallow her whole. It was far more than she had expected, and tears once again welled up in her eyes. "It's perfect," Raya whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you." Maggie hugged her again before setting down the bags. "I'll run you a bath and get dinner ready. You must be starving." Later that evening, after a warm bath and a comforting meal, Raya found herself sitting across from her aunt at the kitchen table. The conversation turned more serious as Raya finally opened up about everything that had happened since her mother's death—the abuse from her father, the pain she had endured, the terrifying moments that led her to escape. Maggie was visibly shaken, her hands trembling as she listened to Raya's story. "Raya," she said, her voice tight with anger. "I can't believe you went through all of this. I should've fought harder for you back then." At the mention of the custody battle, Raya shook her head. "You did everything you could, Aunt Maggie. I know that. I just... I don't know what to do now." Maggie's eyes flashed with determination. "I know exactly what to do. I'm going to call the police back in California. Your father deserves to be in jail for what he's done." Raya's heart raced at the thought, but she said nothing. She knew Maggie was right, but part of her was still terrifiedof what might happen if her father found out she was here. "Let's focus on getting you settled," Maggie said, softening. "You're safe now, and that's what matters." The next day, Raya felt a new sense of purpose. She started helping her aunt at the bakery, eager to keep busy and contribute in any way she could. But Maggie insisted she didn't have to, telling her that the most important thing was for Raya to heal. Still, Raya wanted to support her aunt, especially after everything she had done for her. Then one afternoon, Maggie returned home with exciting news. "Raya!" she called, practically bouncing into the kitchen. "One of my customers works in a company, and they have an opening for a secretary. It's a well-paying job, and I mentioned you might be interested." Raya's eyes widened. "A secretary? I've never done that before." Maggie waved a hand dismissively. "You'll pick it up quickly. I believe in you." Without hesitation, Raya accepted the offer. She hugged her aunt tightly, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you for everything," she whispered, the words not nearly enough to express the depth of her appreciation. As she prepared for this new job and her new life in New York, Raya realized that for the first time in a long time, she had hope. There were still challenges ahead, but with her aunt by her side and a future that seemed just a little brighter, she knew she could face whatever came next.