Chapter 14 - Anna Returned to Piper’s Life Slowly
Anna recovered physically faster than emotionally.
Eleven days in confinement left consequences.
Sleep problems.
Panic in windowless rooms.
Difficulty with closed doors.
Guilt.
Especially guilt about Piper.
“I should have gone straight to Tristan eight months ago.”
Maybe.
But fear had shaped her choices.
That did not make them ideal.
It made them human.
When Piper first visited Anna after the hospital, she did not rush into her arms.
She stood several feet away.
“Did you leave me?”
Anna’s eyes filled.
“No.”
“Did you want to?”
“No.”
“Then why didn’t you come back?”
Anna answered carefully.
“Because I was scared, and I made some choices that kept me away longer than they should have.”
Piper considered that.
Then asked:
“Were you behind the wall?”
“Yes.”
“I heard you.”
“I know.”
Piper finally moved closer.
Anna did not reach first.
She let the child decide.
Piper climbed onto the chair beside her.
Then took her hand.
No dramatic forgiveness.
No instant return to normal.
Just contact.
May you like
That was enough.
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