The Day I Was Reborn

“On the day my son died, I was reborn. The morning light of Chicago streamed through the blinds, just like before, a painful echo of a day I never wanted to live again. My son, Leo, was supposed to have his scholarship interview at Northwestern today, a full ride, his entire future. In my previous life, that future ended with the sound of his body hitting the pavement. Then they came for me. My husband, Mark, told the cameras I was a monster, a controlling mother who drove her son to suicide. My best friend, Chloe, Leo' s godmother, provided the proof, a doctored video of me ranting, shoving papers, painting me as crazed. The police found "abusive" scratches on Leo's arm matching a gardening accident on my hands. My career, my name, my entire life were destroyed by their fabricated narrative. I ended it all in a cold, empty apartment, the media' s condemnation a constant ringing in my ears. To my dying breath, I couldn't comprehend the depth of their betrayal, swallowed by an unjust accusation from the people I loved most. But now, I was back, sitting up in bed, my heart a steady, cold drum. Everything was the same, except for me. This time, I wouldn't just survive; I would expose every single one of their monstrous lies.”