𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐒 - 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘻

1 | Between Two Worlds

-emotional abuse
-parental absence
-toxic family relationship
-verbal abuse

Chapter 1

My eyes traced the vibrant colors of the Mexican landscape on the postcard, its scene as warm and inviting as a dream. A faint smile tugged at my lips as I flipped it over to see my father's handwriting, each curve of his letters as familiar as his voice.

"Zaira, mi sol,

I hope you're finding happiness wherever you are. The sunsets here are breathtaking, painting the sky in colors that remind me of your smile.
I miss you every day. How have you been? Are you still friends with Sean? I wish you could feel the warmth of the sun, hear the ocean's laughter. It feels like a piece of my heart is missing without you here. Remember, I'm always with you, no matter how far apart we are. Stay strong, hija. You are loved more than you know, and I can't wait to share these moments with you."

— "La distancia no importa, lo que importa es el corazón."

As I read, warmth blossomed inside me, the postcard feeling like a lifeline to a world where I was safe and loved. I could almost hear his voice, rich with affection and steadiness. But reality crashed in, tearing through the quiet peace.

"Zaira! Get down here and clean this mess up!" my mother's voice sliced through the silence, sharp and demanding, echoing through the walls like a blade.

I sighed, my heart dropping. "Siempre con lo mismo," I muttered, frustration bubbling up. It wasn't my mess, and we both knew it. But that never seemed to matter.

"Don't think I can't hear you, niña! You better get down here right now, or I swear I'll make your life hell!" she shrieked from the kitchen.

I clenched my jaw, the urge to snap back crawling up my throat. But I shoved the postcard into my pocket, forcing myself to breathe, and started down the stairs.

She waited in the living room, her gaze like a hawk's, tracking my every movement. Her dark eyes burned with a fury I'd come to know too well. "¿Vas a quedarte ahí como un idiota? I didn't raise you to be so useless."

The irony tasted bitter; she hadn't raised me at all. Not in any way that mattered.

Suppressing a bitter retort, I moved past her and into the chaos she'd left behind: wine bottles, dirty dishes, clothes strewn across the floor. The mess was as suffocating as her anger, closing in around me.

"Why can't you ever do anything right?" she muttered, sneering. Her hair fell in disheveled waves around her pale face, her eyes sharp with disappointment—disappointment that no matter what I did, I couldn't erase.

Each insult chipped away at me, her words leaving invisible bruises. I wanted to scream that it wasn't my fault, that I didn't deserve this. But the words felt lodged in my chest, burning like fire.

Instead, I bit back the retort, the one I knew would make it worse. "I'll do it," I said, forcing the words through clenched teeth, the promise of Mexico and my father's love the only anchor holding me together.

One day, I thought, I would escape.

I would find him.

I would leave this place and its shadow behind, even if it meant risking everything.

But for now, I had Sean.
He understood,
even if no one else did.

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Hii guys, first chapter down of Where The Sun Sets!

In this chapter, we meet Zaira, who finds solace in a postcard from her father amidst the chaos of her home life, marked by her mother's emotional and verbal abuse. The stark contrast between her father's love and her mother's toxicity sets the stage for Zaira's struggle to navigate her feelings and her desire for connection.

This story aims to explore the complexities of toxic family relationships and the impact of parental absence on a young person's identity. Through Zaira's journey, I hope to shed light on the resilience it takes to overcome emotional struggles and the importance of finding one's own voice in the midst of turmoil.

Your thoughts and feedback mean the world to me, so please leave a comment and let me know what you think of Zaira so far! If you enjoyed this chapter, I'd really appreciate a vote as well!

P.S. Sean is coming in the next chapter! <3

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story!