Secrets of the Solomons

20. Fiona:

*17 days prior to the attempted murder*

"Girl, it's been one week. How long are you staying here?" Izzy exclaimed.

"That long already? Damn. I'm staying here until I feel ready to confront my dad," I said, looking at the calendar in her room.

"And how long will it take?" she asks, crossing her arms.

"I'm not sure, Izzy," I replied, uncertainty evident in my voice. "Confronting my dad is something I've been avoiding for years, so it might take some time to gather the courage and emotional strength to do it."

Izzy sighed as she looked at me. "Fiona, normally, I would ask you to stay as long as you need. But what you are doing right now is just full-on running away from your problems. It's not good for you both mentally and physically."

"I know Izzy. Just one more week. I promise."

Izzy raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "One week, Fiona? Are you sure that's enough time for you to truly confront your dad and resolve everything?"

I paused for a moment, contemplating her words. "You're right, Izzy. Maybe one week isn't enough. But it's a start, and I need to take that first step towards facing my fears."

"Fine. Only one week, then. But remember, Fiona, true healing takes time and effort. Don't rush the process, and make sure to prioritize your well-being above all else." Izzy's concern resonated with me, reminding me of the importance of self-care during this journey of confronting my past.

With a determined nod, I replied, "I understand, Izzy. I'll make sure to take care of myself throughout this process. Thank you for always looking out for me."

"After this week, you better be out of my house for good," Izzy warned, her tone firm but supportive. "Remember, facing your fears is just the beginning. It's what you do with that courage that truly matters."

I nodded, feeling a mix of nervousness and determination as I prepared to embark on this scary journey of finally facing my father head-on. I can't run away from him or my problems.

*10 days prior to the attempted murder*

And here I am after a week; I still haven't decided what to do. But I'll disappoint myself if I don't leave and face my problems. So I left Izzy's house right after breakfast and went home.

As I walked home, I felt terrified. I kept on praying that he wasn't home. But my prayers went unanswered as he opened the door after I rang the bell. I said my greetings and ran to my room as fast as I could. I closed the door behind me and collapsed onto my bed, trying to calm my racing heart.

I decided to take a shower and study. As I turned on the shower, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. The warm water cascading down my body helped to ease some of the tension that had built up inside me. As I lathered my hair with shampoo, I reminded myself that facing my problems head-on was the only way to overcome them. With each passing minute under the soothing water, I gained a renewed sense of determination to confront whatever awaited me outside the safety of my room.

The moment I went downstairs, I saw my siblings staring at me. I asked them about Dad and if he got mad or something. My siblings exchanged a knowing glance before one of them finally spoke up: "Dad didn't get mad, but he did seem a bit disappointed. He was completely calm and didn't fight or argue with any of us. He'll probably talk it out with you in his office." Instantly, my renewed sense of determination wavered slightly as I braced myself for the conversation that awaited me.

Dinnertime has arrived. We gathered around the dining table in a tense mood. My siblings and I exchanged nervous glances, wondering what was to come. Dad's usually positive tone was replaced with a quiet seriousness, which added to the rising discomfort in the room. It was clear that this would not be an ordinary conversation.