➺ 𝙎𝘼𝙑𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙄𝙎𝘼𝘽𝙀𝙇𝙇𝙀 - O.Benson

Chapter 10: The Aftermath

Isabelle sat on the couch in Olivia's apartment, her eyes fixed on the wall. The weight of the past few days pressed down on her like a heavy blanket, making it hard to breathe. She kept replaying the moment her 'dad' attacked the school, Amanda getting shot, and the shock of learning that Olivia was her real mother. It all felt like a storm she couldn't escape.Olivia sat next to her, close enough to offer comfort but far enough to give her space. "Izzy," Olivia said softly, her voice pulling Isabelle back to the present. "I know it's a lot to take in, and I'm here for you. You don't have to go through this alone."Isabelle nodded slightly, but her thoughts were tangled. "I just... I don't understand why you'd even want me around," she whispered, her voice cracking. "All I've done is cause trouble. Amanda got shot because of me. Everything that's happened—it's my fault."

Olivia's heart ached seeing Isabelle in so much pain. She reached out and gently placed a hand on Isabelle's arm. "Hey, none of this is your fault," she said firmly. "The people who hurt you—they made those choices. You didn't do anything wrong, Izzy. You were just trying to survive."Isabelle's eyes filled with tears, but she didn't look away. "But I still feel like a burden," she said quietly. "Like everyone would be better off if I wasn't here, if I didn't need so much help."Olivia felt her own eyes welling up. She wrapped her arms around Isabelle, pulling her into a gentle hug. "You are not a burden, Isabelle," she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. "You are my daughter, and I love you. I've been looking for you for so many years, wishing I could hold you just like this. You being here with me—this is everything I ever wanted. You are not a burden, you're a miracle."Isabelle let out a shaky breath and buried her face in Olivia's shoulder. For a moment, they sat there in silence, holding each other. It was the first time Isabelle had let herself cry since everything happened, and Olivia held her tighter, letting her know that it was okay to let it out.

As the tears fell, something inside Isabelle started to shift. It wasn't that the pain went away, but for the first time, she felt like maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to carry it all on her own. "I'm scared, Mom," she whispered, the word 'Mom' feeling both strange and comforting on her lips. "What if I mess everything up again?"Olivia pulled back slightly, just enough to look Isabelle in the eyes. "Izzy, you are not alone in this," she said. "We're in this together, no matter what. You don't have to be perfect, and you don't have to have it all figured out. All I ask is that you let me help you, that you let us be a family."Isabelle nodded slowly, her tears finally starting to subside. "Okay," she said, her voice small but steady. "I'll try."

Olivia kissed Isabelle's forehead and smiled. "That's all I could ever ask for," she said gently. She knew that this was only the beginning of a long road to healing, but in that moment, she felt hope—for both of them.Later that evening, after Isabelle had gone to her room to rest, Olivia sat down at her desk. She picked up her phone and called a close friend, Detective Amanda Rollins. Despite her own recovery from the shooting, Amanda answered almost immediately."Liv," Amanda said, her voice warm but tinged with concern. "How's Isabelle doing?""She's struggling, but she's strong," Olivia said. "I wanted to ask if you'd help me get some guidance on how to support her better. I know this is beyond what I'm used to dealing with.""Of course," Amanda said. "I've got some contacts who specialize in trauma therapy for teens. We'll get her the help she needs, Liv. And remember, you're doing everything right just by being there for her.""Thank you," Olivia said, her voice filled with gratitude. "For everything, Amanda. Isabelle thinks she's a burden, and I'm trying to make her see that she's anything but.""She'll get there," Amanda said reassuringly. "It's going to take time, but with you by her side, she's got a real chance."As Olivia ended the call, she felt a renewed sense of determination. Isabelle was her daughter—her strong, resilient daughter—and Olivia would do whatever it took to help her find her way back to herself. She knew that together, they could face whatever came next.