Tehila sat at the kitchen table, her heart racing as she stared at the bank notification on her phone. Three hundred thousand dollars. The amount felt surreal, almost like a cruel joke. She glanced up at her dad, who was lounging in the living room, his eyes glued to the television. The flickering screen cast shadows across his face, but she could see the smirk that danced on his lips.
"Dad," she called out, her voice trembling slightly. "Can we talk?"
He turned, his expression shifting from indifference to mild curiosity. "What is it, Tehila? Make it quick. I'm watching the game."
Taking a deep breath, she stood up and walked over to him. "I'm moving out in two days."
His laughter echoed through the room, a harsh sound that made her stomach churn. "Oh, really? And where do you think you're going to go? You think you can just waltz out of here with that money and live like a queen?"
Tehila clenched her fists, fighting back the anger that threatened to spill over. "I don't need your approval. I'm done with this place."
Grace, her stepmother, appeared in the doorway, her expression unreadable. Isabella, her stepsister, stood beside her, a sly smile creeping across her face. "Well, isn't that just wonderful?" Grace said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sure we'll all miss you terribly."
Isabella chimed in, "I can't wait to see the back of you. It'll be so much quieter around here."
Tehila felt a surge of defiance. "You won't have to deal with me anymore. I'm finally free."
Her dad leaned back in his chair, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "Good riddance, Tehila. I won't lose any sleep over it. Just make sure you don't come crawling back when you realize you can't handle it out there."
Tehila's heart sank, but she forced herself to stand tall. "I won't. I'll be just fine."
As she turned to leave, she caught Grace's eye. The woman's expression was a mix of relief and glee, as if Tehila's departure was a victory for her. Isabella giggled, whispering something to Grace that made them both laugh. Tehila felt a wave of nausea wash over her.
She stormed out of the room, her mind racing. The money was a lifeline, but the thought of leaving everything behind—her childhood home, the memories, the pain—was overwhelming.
Tehila sat on the edge of her bed, the familiar creaks of the old wooden frame echoing in the silence of her room. The walls were adorned with posters of places she dreamed of visiting, a stark contrast to the reality of her current life. She took a deep breath, letting the air fill her lungs as she tried to push away the weight of her surroundings.
"Just a few more days," she whispered to herself, her voice barely above a murmur. The thought of moving out from her dad's house, away from Grace's constant criticisms and Isabella's snide remarks, filled her with a mix of excitement and anxiety. "You can do this, Tehila. You deserve better."
She glanced around the room, taking in the remnants of her childhood. It was time to break free from the suffocating atmosphere that had become her norm. She had worked hard for her degree, pouring countless hours into her studies, and now it was time to reap the rewards. "A good job is waiting for you," she reminded herself, envisioning the office space she would soon occupy, the colleagues she would meet, and the projects she would tackle. "You're capable. You're smart. You've got this.
The thought of her unknown husband lingered in the back of her mind, a strange twist in her life's narrative. They had married in a whirlwind of emotions, a decision made in a moment of vulnerability. But now, as she prepared to step into a new chapter, she felt a sense of clarity. "Divorce him," she said firmly, the words rolling off her tongue with newfound strength. "You don't need to be tied to someone you don't know. You can take control of your life."
Tehila stood up, pacing the small space of her room, her heart racing with determination. "You'll find your way," she told herself, her voice growing stronger with each step. "You'll find a job that values you, a place where you can thrive. And when the time comes, you'll face that unknown man and take the steps you need to reclaim your freedom.
She paused, looking out the window at the world beyond. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the neighborhood, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of hope. "This is just the beginning," she said, a smile breaking through the tension on her face. "You're not just moving out; you're moving forward. You're building a life that's truly yours."she said as she pets Mylo's soft fur
With a final deep breath, Tehila felt the weight of her past begin to lift. She was ready to embrace the unknown, to chase her dreams, and to finally break free from the chains that had held her back for so long. "You've got this, Tehila," she whispered, her heart swelling with determination. "You're stronger than you know"
**Author's Note:**
My Dear readers, Tehila stands at a crossroads, and her decision to leave is fraught with complications. Should she take the leap into the unknown, or is there a part of her that should stay and confront her demons? What will she do with the money? Will it truly set her free, or will it lead her into deeper troubles?
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