Persephone sat at the small wooden table in the back of the flower shop, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edges of her shirt. The shop was quiet now, the soft hum of life outside seeming a world away. Demeter sat across from her, her eyes filled with concern, but she remained patient, waiting for Persephone to speak.
It started slowly, like a trickle, but once Persephone began talking, the floodgates opened. “It’s… it’s Hades,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “He came to my apartment last night, out of nowhere. I didn’t even know he was still thinking about me, let alone... showing up like that.”
Her mother’s expression softened, but she said nothing, just allowing Persephone the space to get everything out.
“And it’s not just that,” Persephone continued, her voice breaking a little. “It’s… it’s everything. Everything I tried to bury, to forget. I thought I had moved on, I really did. But the second I saw him… all those feelings came rushing back. And I hate it, Mom. I hate that he still has that kind of hold on me.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she wiped them away quickly, as if embarrassed by her own vulnerability. “I just… I don’t understand why. Why him? Why now? Why can’t I just be over it? Over him?” Her voice wavered, and she felt herself coming apart at the seams. “I mean, he picked *her*—he picked Maleficent over me, in front of everyone, and I still feel like… like I wasn’t enough.”
Demeter reached across the table, placing her hand gently over Persephone’s, her touch grounding her daughter. “Oh, sweetheart,” she began softly. “I know how much it hurts. And I know you’ve carried this pain for a long time.”
Persephone swallowed hard, her chest tightening with each word. “I just want to know what to do. I feel so lost.”
Demeter took a deep breath, her mind carefully weighing her words. “I’m not Athena, I know,” she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips, “but I do know a few things.” Her voice softened, taking on that maternal wisdom that only a mother could offer. “First of all, you need to stop blaming yourself. Hades’ choices were his own, and they have nothing to do with your worth.”
Persephone bit her lip, the tears she had tried so hard to hold back now streaming down her face. “But why did it feel like they did?”
“Because love is complicated,” Demeter said, squeezing her hand gently. “We all want to be chosen, to feel like we’re the ones someone is willing to fight for. And when we aren’t, it feels like a reflection of our value. But that’s not the truth, Persephone. Your value isn’t determined by his decisions.”
Persephone sniffled, wiping her tears on the sleeve of her shirt. “I know... but it’s hard to remember that.”
Demeter smiled, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. “That’s because your heart is still healing. And it will take time. But Persephone, you are so much stronger than you realize. You’ve built a life for yourself, you’ve created your own space in this world. You don’t need Hades to define you.”
Persephone nodded, though the pain still lingered in her chest. “But what do I do now? He’s back, and I don’t know if I can face him again… especially after last night.”
Demeter leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. “You need to decide what *you* want. Not what Hades wants, or what the past dictates. What does Persephone want for her future? And whatever that is, you need to be honest with yourself—and with him.”
Persephone swallowed hard, her mind swirling with emotions. Could she even face Hades again? Could she tell him everything she’d been holding inside for so long?
Demeter’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “You have the power to set the boundaries, to decide what happens next. But remember, this is *your* life, Persephone. You’re the one in control of it, not him.”
The weight of her mother’s words settled over her, comforting and grounding her in a way she hadn’t expected. Persephone took a deep breath, feeling the smallest glimmer of strength start to grow inside her.
“I’ll try,” she whispered, though the fear still lingered.
Demeter smiled softly. “That’s all you can do, my love. Just take it one step at a time. And whatever happens, I’ll be here for you.”
YOU ARE READING
Descendants 3/4: The downfall of Persephone
Adventure"Why not me?" Persephone asked herself every day as she watched Uliana and her gang, the VKs-but not Mal. This was back when Hades, Hook, Maleficent, and the others were young. Before Auradon Prep, it was known as Merlin Academy, with Merlin himself...
