anie'

I bit my nails absentmindedly. The ticking of the clock on the wall felt like a ha

ing I could wrap my head around. Part of me-a small, naive part-wanted to believe there was a reason, something I could understand. But another

s by a knock at the door. It startled

ay of food carefully in her hands. She placed it on the small table near the window, the aroma wafting throu

you should eat,"

ickly, my irritation bubbling

then spoke again, her voice soft

puzzled. "What do you mean?" I asked, curiosity

again. "Having a mother who's hard to understand." Her words

omething so personal. "What are you talking about?" I asked, m

ked back. For years, I hated her for it. I wanted answers, so I searched for her when I was old enough. I found her eventually... living a perfect life with her new

h to the chest. I could see

let her. I refused to hear her out. Every time she tried to reach out to me, I shut her down. I thought I was protecting myself. Then, one day, she came to visit me

God," I whispered, my hands flying t

I used to feel. So much worse. I'll never know what she wanted to tell me. I'll never know if she had a reason for what s

as she cried. I felt tears well up in my own eyes. Her pain was so raw

d I let my anger take away the chance to know her. Now all I have left are regret

ur mother," she said, looking at me with swollen, tear-filled eyes. "But you don't. That's just the grudge talking

rd and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug. She clung to me,

embling hands. "If you go now, you can still catch up wit

ging at my lips. "Thank you," I said

dy standing, preparing to leave. My mother sat at the

others, but the difference was that he was older. He had gray

s locking onto me. Their expressions were blank and unread

d, breaking the silence, h

tone dripping with sarcasm. I scoffed, ig

ustion. "Why are you here?" she asked quietly

I said firmly. "I want to hear what you have to

ead. "Whatever I have to say needs to be heard by ever

d to be personal and between my mother, I couldn't help but agree. I would be

What's this grand explanation that's supposed to erase te