Motherless

14

**Melody's POV**

It had been a week since our first visit to the police station, but I could still sense the unease in Talia. Ever since the mall incident and the trip to the police station, there had been an undercurrent of anxiety in her movements, her words, even her silence.

I'd taken time off from work, informing my colleagues that I needed to deal with a personal matter. I didn't give details—it wasn't their business, and besides, the fewer people who knew, the safer Talia would be.

We'd been back to the police station for follow-up questions, and Talia had been incredibly brave. She shared her story, piece by piece, with the officers, her voice shaking but steady. I stayed by her side, holding her hand, reminding her that she was not alone.

Today, we were back at home, trying to find a sense of normalcy. But there was an undercurrent of anxiety that neither of us could ignore. Talia had been spending a lot of time in her room, avoiding even the lighthearted conversations we used to have.

I decided to check on her, gently knocking on her door. "Talia, can I come in?" I asked, keeping my voice soft.

"Yeah," she replied, her voice distant. I entered and found her sitting on the edge of her bed, staring out the window. Her shoulders were hunched, her body tense. She was holding Mr. Bear, the stuffed bear she'd mentioned in one of our earlier talks.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, sitting down beside her. The room was filled with silence, save for the occasional rustle of leaves outside.

"I don't know," she said, her eyes still fixed on the world beyond the glass. "It's just... a lot, you know?"

I nodded, understanding all too well. "It's okay to feel that way. You've been through so much, and it takes time to process everything."

She turned to look at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "Melody, do you think my mom knew? I mean, really knew what he was doing to me?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her question. "Talia, I can't say for sure," I replied, my voice gentle but honest. "But if you believe she knew, then that's important. It's not your responsibility to understand her reasons or excuses. What's important is that you know you're not alone anymore."

She nodded slowly, tears welling in her eyes. "It just hurts, you know? I thought... I thought moms were supposed to protect their kids. But she just... didn't."

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as she cried. "I'm so sorry, Talia," I whispered. "You deserved so much better. No one should have to go through what you did."

Her sobs grew louder, the pain and confusion spilling out in waves. I felt my own tears streaming down my cheeks, feeling the intensity of her grief. It was like all the broken pieces of her life were coming together, revealing the scars that had been hidden for so long.

"Melody, why did she let it happen?" Talia asked, her voice choked with emotion. "Why didn't she stop him?"

I didn't have all the answers. I didn't know why some people made the choices they did. But I knew one thing—I wouldn't let Talia carry this burden alone. "I don't know why, Talia," I replied, my voice steady despite the tears. "But it's not your fault. It was never your fault. You deserve love, care, and protection, and I'm here to give you that. You're not alone anymore."

We held each other for what felt like hours, the room filled with our shared tears and the quiet hum of the world outside. It was as if the universe was giving us a moment to grieve, to heal, and to find the strength to keep moving forward.

When Talia's sobs finally subsided, she pulled back and wiped her eyes. "Thank you," she said, her voice soft but filled with gratitude. "I'm sorry for... for crying so much."