FORBIDDEN STEP
n the sunlight. His eyes, an arresting oceanic hue, drew me in with each mesmerizing blink. C
heart pounded in my chest, its rhythmic thud echoing through every cell. Th
talk " she said as she carefully led me to the black couch in the dimly lit
hum of the refrigerator as the scent of fresh coffee wafted throu
e frequent patients she oversees. My mom worked as a nurse in a closeby clinic and so
hat I love you and I will always put you first" mom said quietly, con
himself as Lucas Wilson . He asked for my contact which I reluctantly gave to him cause I keep
m his company to take me to a restaurant, the bar and sometimes we would jus
" my mom said, her voice laced with concern I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Th
ed off, unsure of how t
this is a lot to take in. But I want you to know that I've thought this through, and I tr
the fog. "But...Dad?" The word
But your father's been gone for a long time, and I've been alone for
mprehend this new reality. My mom, happy with someon
asked, my voice bar
rity, Ava. Nothing will ever change that. But I want you to have a chance to
wasn't sure what to think or feel, but I knew one thing -
him, but the ache of his absence lingered. I never got to meet him and up till now I still don't know what he looks like. Mom made sure there were no pic
to avoid the topic. Now, as I faced the revelation about Lucas Wilso
d remember. Forever, it seemed, we'd been a team
sanctuary, our safe haven. But now, as Mom's words hung in the air, I felt t
mom's words kept echoing in my mind: "Lucas makes me happy." But what about me? What about the life we
veloped me. My room was my sanctuary, a place where I could escape the world outside. The w
ows and stuffed teddies was a cozy haven where
of dog-eared books, a collection of seashells from our summer vacations, and a few favorite s
rs, calling out to me. "Ava, my love ar
n tears. Yeah, I needed some time alone. Time to process this new realit