EYES OPEN

|Fragmented Paths | CHAPTER 14|

|Treecie's Bittersweet Return|

Treecie couldn't believe she was finally home. The relief of being surrounded by familiar faces should have calmed her nerves, but instead, it only amplified the storm raging inside her. As the car crept through the dimly lit streets toward her family's estate, the weight of her guilt settled heavily on her chest. Her hands trembled in her lap as she recalled the last few days—days spent in captivity, and worse, days spent realizing just how deeply she had been played. She swallowed hard, closing her eyes for a moment, trying to shake off the image of E’s smirking face as he made his choice.

Layla.

He had chosen her. Over Treecie. The thought still burned hot in her chest, a mixture of humiliation and betrayal that churned her insides. She knew Layla didn’t deserve the anger that had been festering inside her for so long. Layla was clueless, a pawn in a dangerous game she didn't even know she was playing. But still, Treecie couldn't help the sharp sting of jealousy that had fueled so many of her decisions. She hated that part of herself—hated that she had let her insecurities blind her so completely.

Now, as she glanced at the glowing city skyline outside the window, her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

Yes, she had escaped, but the victory was hollow because Layla was still trapped, unaware that she was being used, just like Treecie had been. And now Treecie had to go back. Somehow, she had to find a way to save Layla from the same fate she had narrowly escaped.

The car finally pulled into the long, winding driveway of the family estate. The mansion loomed large in front of them, its tall, imposing columns illuminated by the soft glow of the lights lining the driveway. Normally, the sight of home would have comforted her, but tonight it only intensified her anxiety. She wasn’t ready for this. She wasn’t ready for the questions, for the looks of concern and anger and fear. But she knew there was no avoiding it. As soon as the car came to a stop, the doors flew open, and she was swarmed by her family.

“Treecie!” her mother’s voice broke through the din, and she was pulled into a fierce embrace. “Thank God you’re home, baby.”
Treecie closed her eyes, leaning into the warmth of her mother’s arms, but it was short-lived. The questions came almost immediately, each one sharper than the last.
“Where were you held?”
“How did you escape?”
“Did you see Layla? Was she with you?”

Her father Bernard stood off to the side, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes dark with anger. But it wasn’t directed at her. No, the rage in his eyes was for whoever had taken his daughter, for whoever had dared to harm his family. Treecie could feel his protectiveness radiating off him in waves, but it only made her feel worse. She had put herself in danger, and for what? A man who had never truly cared for her.

~~~~~💫💫💫~~~~~
|Treecie's Unspoken  Burden|

She felt a lump form in her throat, her chest tightening as guilt began to overwhelm her. Her mother's face, streaked with tears, came into sharp focus, her trembling hands gripping Treecie's arms as if she were afraid to let go. Treecie wanted to say something—anything—to comfort her, but the words wouldn't come. She felt the pressure mounting with every question, every pair of expectant eyes locked on her. The weight of her guilt grew heavier and heavier until it became unbearable.

"It's my fault," she whispered, her voice cracking as she buried her face in her hands.

Her Uncle Lil stepped forward, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Whatchu mean, Tree? How is this your fault?"

Treecie shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "If I hadn't been so jealous of Layla... of her getting all the attention... maybe E wouldn't have been able to play me like that," she confessed, her voice shaking with shame. "I let my insecurities blind me. I couldn't see the danger because I was too caught up in my own feelings."