Chapter 103

“Take out this trash, honey.”

I hesitantly reached out to accept the plastic bag, filled with the garbage, from my mother's hands. My arm trembled with trepidations of what she may do next; perhaps I was expecting her to reprimand me or drop it on the ground. But no such thing occurred. She simply let go of it delicately, and allowed it to gently rest on the ground below us. In that moment, I felt a sudden wave of relief wash over me.

“You’re too slow, come back here when you’re done.” she whispered, turning around.

“Y-yes, mother.”

I took the garbage outside and felt the crisp wind of the forest rushing against me, bringing with it a wave of fresh air that filled my lungs with invigorating satisfaction. It was exhilarating to feel that natural energy on my skin and smell those fragrant aromas in the air as if I was standing in a wild garden of beauty. All around me there were birds singing to each other and trees rustling almost peacefully in unison.

But my heart and mind are in a st