Chapter XXI: Her Muddled Mind

As I stepped through the threshold of our house, exhaustion weighing heavily on my shoulders, I was met with the familiar sight of chaos. My mother, Sylvie, stood in the center of the living room, her hands trembling with rage as she glared at me with accusing eyes.

I could feel my heart sink as her irrational accusations pierced through me like daggers. "You're always causing trouble," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "I can't believe I have to deal with you again."

Beside her, Aunt Emily stood helplessly, her attempts to calm my mother falling on deaf ears. I could see the frustration etched on her face, the lines of worry deepening with each passing moment.

But despite her efforts, my mother's anger showed no signs of abating. She was lost in the throes of her own trauma, a prisoner to the demons that haunted her mind.

With a heavy heart, I made my way to my room, the weight of my mother's words bearing down on me like a crushing weight. I had hoped to find solace in the famil