The conversation in Mr. Daniel's living room was strained. Joi sat on the couch, her knees tucked up to her chest, staring blankly at the floor. Adrian sat beside her, his hand resting lightly on her back, grounding her. Across from them, Daniel paced anxiously, his face etched with hope and hesitation.
"Joi," Daniel began, his voice gentle but firm. "I know this is hard for you, but Blanca deserves another chance. She's your mother. She's been waiting for the day she could see you again."
Joi's jaw clenched, and her fingers tightened their grip on the fabric of her dress. "She's not my mother," she muttered, her voice sharp and brittle. "A real mother wouldn't send her daughter away to save herself."
Daniel stopped pacing, his face falling. "She regrets it, Joi. Deeply. She misses you more than you can imagine. If you would just see her, talk to her—"
"No!" Joi's voice rose, her eyes darting toward Adrian as if seeking reassurance.
Adrian's hand slid to hers, his calm voice cutting through her panic. "No one's forcing you, Joi. But maybe this could give you closure."
Emily leaned forward from her chair, her tone practical but empathetic. "Adrian's right. You've already faced Kate, and you came out stronger. Maybe seeing Blanca will help you put all of this behind you."
Joi shook her head vehemently, her breathing quickening. "You don't understand. She called me her niece. She lied to protect her marriage, like I was some mistake. Why should I let her hurt me again?"
Adrian's hand tightened around hers. "Because you're stronger now," he said gently. "And because you have us with you. She won't hurt you again—not while I'm here."
Joi hesitated, her eyes darting between Adrian and Emily. Daniel seized the moment, his voice soft but insistent. "Please, Joi. For me. Just one visit. If it doesn't go well, we'll leave, I promise."
Joi bit her lip, torn between her fear and the quiet hope in her father's voice. Finally, she gave a small nod, though her grip on Adrian's hand never loosened.
---
The house loomed over Joi like a cruel reminder, its polished façade a mockery of the turmoil brewing inside her. She clung to Adrian's arm, her fingers trembling. Adrian's presence was her anchor, his steady warmth countering the cold dread coiling in her chest.
Daniel led the group up the steps, his gait hesitant but hopeful. He glanced back at Joi, his eyes silently pleading with her. Joi didn't meet his gaze. She kept her focus ahead, her lips pressed tightly together.
The door swung open to reveal a man with kind eyes and an inviting smile—Mrs. Blanca's husband. Joi's stomach churned as recognition dawned.
"Good afternoon," the man said, his gaze sweeping over the group before lingering on Joi. His smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of suspicion. "You must be…?"
Daniel stepped forward quickly, his voice filled with forced cheer. "This is my daughter, Joi. We've come to see Blanca."
The man's brows knitted slightly, though his polite demeanor held. "Ah, yes, Blanca's niece. She's mentioned you."
The word niece hit Joi like a slap. Her chest tightened as her nails dug into Adrian's sleeve. Sensing her distress, Adrian slid his hand to her waist, a subtle but firm reassurance.
"Come in," the man said, stepping aside.
The living room was pristine, almost sterile, its elegance cold and unwelcoming. Joi kept close to Adrian, her shoulders tense, as the man disappeared to fetch Blanca. The silence that followed was oppressive, broken only by Daniel's restless shifting.
When Blanca appeared at the top of the stairs, her face lit up as if seeing a long-lost treasure. "Joi!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with emotion. She descended quickly, her arms outstretched.
Joi instinctively stepped back, pulling Adrian with her as if shielding herself. Her voice was cold and sharp. "Don't."
Blanca stopped short, her arms falling to her sides. "Joi," she said, her voice trembling. "I've missed you so much. Not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about you. I've prayed for this moment."
Joi's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Did you pray before or after you told him I was your niece?"
Blanca's face crumpled, the weight of her guilt evident in her eyes. "Joi, please, let me explain—"
"It was exactly like that!" Joi's voice cracked as her pain burst forth, raw and unfiltered. "You looked me in the eyes and denied me. You let me walk away, back to Kate, back to the hell you knew I was living in—all because you were too scared to admit I'm your daughter."
The sound of raised voices drew Blanca's husband to the doorway, his confusion evident. "What's going on here?" he asked, his gaze darting between Blanca and Joi.
Blanca stiffened, panic flashing across her face. "It's nothing," she said quickly, her voice strained. "This is my niece, Joi. She's just visiting from—"
"Stop it!" Joi's whisper cut through the air, trembling but fierce. "Just stop." Her shoulders sagged as she turned to Adrian, tears brimming in her eyes. "I want to leave."
Adrian's jaw tightened, but he nodded, his arm encircling her protectively.
Blanca reached out desperately, her voice breaking. "Joi, wait! Please, I didn't mean—"
Joi turned back, her voice hollow and lifeless. "You made your choice that day. And now I'm making mine."
Blanca's husband stood frozen in the doorway, his confusion deepening as the group left, his unspoken questions hanging in the air.
---
In the car, Joi sat silently, her head leaning against Adrian's shoulder as tears slid down her cheeks. Her grip on his hand was tight, as though afraid he, too, might let her go.
Adrian broke the silence, his voice low and steady. "You faced her. That takes strength."
Joi's voice was barely a whisper. "It doesn't feel like strength."
He tilted his head toward her, his eyes softening. "It is. You walked into that house and told your truth. That's strength, Joi."
She closed her eyes, her grip on his hand easing slightly. For the first time in years, the pain in her chest felt a little lighter, though the scars remained. Adrian's quiet presence reminded her that she wasn't alone—and she never would be again.
---
Back in the car, Joi sat in silence, her head resting on Adrian's shoulder. Her tears fell silently, and Adrian's arm around her never wavered.
Emily glanced back from the front seat, her voice soft. "Are you okay?"
Joi didn't answer at first. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely audible. "I should've known better."
Adrian tilted his head toward her, his voice steady and sure. "You faced her. That takes courage."
Joi's hand tightened around his. "I don't feel brave."
"You are," Adrian said firmly. "And you're not alone anymore."
Joi nodded faintly, her tears slowing. For the first time, she felt the weight of her past begin to lift, replaced by the quiet strength of the people beside her.