Lilly had just finished unpacking her small suitcase in the hostel room. Snow fell softly outside, coating the campus in a serene white blanket. Her roommate, Mia, was out exploring, leaving Lilly alone with her thoughts. She had barely sat down on her bed when her phone buzzed.
The screen lit up with Mom.
She hesitated, then answered. "Hi, Mom."
"Hi, Seety," her mother's gentle voice came through, warm and full of love. "How's your first day? Did you settle in okay?"
Lilly's throat tightened. Her mother's kindness was like a bandage on an open wound—soothing, but it reminded her of the pain. "It's okay," she said softly. "The room's nice. It's… quiet here."
"I'm glad," her mother replied, her voice trembling just slightly. Lilly knew what that meant. Her father must be home, lurking in the background.
"Are you okay, Mom?" Lilly asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.
There was a pause. Then, her mother's voice came back, forced but still loving. "Don't worry about me. You focus on your studies, hmm? I just wanted to hear your voice. I miss you."
"I miss you too," Lilly said, blinking back tears. She wanted to ask more, to demand the truth, but she knew it wouldn't change anything. Her mother was trapped, and Lilly's escape felt like both a relief and a betrayal.
As she hung up, Lilly stared out at the snow, clutching the phone tightly. She promised herself that one day, she'd find a way to help her mother, even if it meant facing the demons she'd left behind.