Holding On To Hope

Chapter 14: The Road Back

Lina lay in the hospital bed, staring blankly at the white ceiling tiles. The muted sounds of the hospital buzzed around her, but she remained lost in her thoughts. Her body ached from the bruises and the fractured rib, but it was the emotional toll that felt heavier; her silence was a shield against the chaos in her mind.

Later, the doctor came in to discharge her. As they left the hospital, Leon turned to her, concern etched on his face. "Where do you want to go?" he asked, his voice low.

Lina looked down, her heart racing at the thought of going home. "Home," she whispered, the word barely escaping her lips.

Leon's expression hardened, a flash of anger crossing his features, but he masked it quickly. He nodded, accepting her choice without another word, though the tension between them was palpable. Grayson and Mia exchanged worried glances, their resolve wavering as they all fell silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

As they approached the car, Mia stepped forward, pulling Lina into a tight embrace. "We'll figure this out, okay?" she whispered, trying to infuse hope into the moment.

Later, Grayson came forward and hugged Lina, his arms wrapping around her. "You're not alone in this," he reassured her, his voice steady.

After they broke the hug, Grayson glanced at Leon and whispered, "Don't scare her, okay? She's not well, and we can't afford to see her in more pain."

Leon nodded, his jaw clenched, knowing how much he meant to Lina. He had to be strong for her, even if his heart was heavy with frustration and anger.

The drive home was shrouded in silence, the atmosphere thick with unspoken fears. Lina leaned against the passenger window, the cool glass offering a brief respite from the heat of her pain. Each bump in the road sent jolts through her body, and she winced, trying to stifle a groan.

Leon kept his eyes on the road, tension radiating from him as he fought to control his anger. He felt helpless watching his baby sister suffer, knowing the source of her pain was the very place they were headed.

After a while, he shifted in his seat, resting his left hand on the steering wheel while his right gently found its way to Lina's head. He glanced over at her, seeing her eyes closed, her face pale. His heart ached at the sight.

"My child," he whispered, tears threatening to spill over. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. The tears rolled down his cheeks as he fought the urge to unleash the anger building inside him.

When they reached her home, Lina finally opened her eyes and turned to Leon. "Can you help me get my stuff?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leon looked at her in surprise, but the pleading look in her eyes made his heart drop. "Help me get out of here, brother. Please?" she begged, her voice cracking, emotions simmering just beneath the surface.

He wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of his hand and managed a smile, nodding. "Of course, my child."

As they walked inside, the air felt heavy with the familiar tension. Lina's mother was home, and her voice echoed through the house, harsh and cutting. "Look who's back! Did you really think you could get away with this drama? You're just trying to get attention!"

Lina's heart sank, but she pressed forward, trying to block out the sting of her mother's words as she and Leon began to pack her things.

"Why do you need all this crap?" her mother continued, her voice dripping with disdain. "You think anyone wants you? You're nothing without me!"

Leon's hands clenched into fists as he listened to her berate Lina. He turned, ready to confront her, but Lina caught his eye, pleading with him to remain calm. "Please," she whispered, her eyes wide with fear.

Leon halted mid-sentence, anger simmering just beneath the surface, but he stepped back, frustration written all over his face. They finished packing in silence, the tension thick enough to slice.

Once they were outside, the cool air hit Lina's face, and she inhaled deeply, trying to steady her racing heart. Leon's fury simmered as he glared at the house, knowing he couldn't let Lina return to that environment. But he also knew this was her battle to fight.

They sat in the car, the engine running but the atmosphere thick with unspoken words. Leon stared out the windshield, the anger inside him boiling over, while Lina remained silent, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Let's just go," Leon said finally, his voice strained.

Lina nodded, the pain still echoing in her chest. She knew that facing her mother again would be difficult, but she had to find a way to reclaim her life.

As they drove away, the night closed in around them, and Lina couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of her fight for freedom.