I don't even know how I managed to get back to the chalet.
My eyes burn, my vision is blurry, my breath comes in ragged gasps.
The road feels endless, as if every second drags me further down.
When the taxi stops, I get out quickly.
I'm trembling so much that I can barely open the front door.
Mina is the first to see me.
— Esther?!
Her voice breaks instantly.
I lower my head.
I'm ashamed… hurt… scared… all at once.
A tear falls to the ground, then another… and suddenly, it all pours out.
The gates I was holding back explode.
I break down in tears.
Mina rushes to me, gently taking my shoulders.
— My darling… what happened?
I can't even answer.
I shake my head, unable to speak, my throat tighter than ever.
Dad and Mom come running from the living room.
— Esther! exclaims Mom, rushing toward me.
— What did they do to you? asks Dad, ready to face the world for me.
I step back, hands trembling.
— Don't… don't touch me… n-not now…
My voice cracks, a sob choking me.
Mom immediately understands it's serious.
She exchanges a worried look with Dad.
— Esther, please… talk to us.
I shake my head again.
Unable to explain the horror I just heard.
— I… I just want… to be alone… I finally whisper.
Dad tries to insist.
— No, you can't be alone in this state, tell us who—
Mina gently but firmly interrupts him.
— Leave her. She'll speak when she can. She's in shock.
Dad clenches his fists, frustrated but worried.
Mom covers her mouth, overwhelmed by my distress.
I run up the stairs almost, each step shaking my broken body.
Arriving in my room, I slam the door and lean against it, slowly sliding to the floor.
And there… the tears return.
Even stronger.
My hands tremble, my head spins.
How could I have been so naive?
How could I have trusted him?
How could I have fallen into the trap of a man who never truly existed?
And to think Leila had warned me.
She said he wasn't reliable, that I shouldn't trust him.
I should have been cautious.
I should have been careful.
I blame myself so much.
I hug my knees to my chest.
I can't even breathe properly.
And what hurts even more…
More than the betrayal.
More than the lies…
Is that my parents want me to marry him.
This cold, calculating man… and worse…
A tear slides down my cheek.
I close my eyes.
I am destroyed.
My tears stain with pain and my breathing becomes harder and harder to control.
Suddenly, I can't breathe.
I try to sit up, to inhale and exhale… nothing works.
I let myself fall, lying on the floor, suffocating.
I struggle, I fight, but it's all too much.
Gradually, my eyes close…
My vision blurs…
And at that moment… Mina rushes in:
— Oh my God… Esther! Esther! she says, terrified.
— Don't touch me! I whisper, my voice weak and broken.
Another voice, Mom's, rings out, panicked:
— Esther! Oh no… she's having another episode!
Then… black.
I open my eyes slowly, as if emerging from a deep sleep.
The ceiling is white, familiar.
I'm in my bed.
How did I get here…?
I feel a heavy weight on my right arm.
I look: it's my father, sitting in the chair, head almost resting on my bed, his hand brushing mine.
The memories hit me brutally.
Everything… everything that happened.
I try to sit up.
Dad looks at me, eyes full of worry.
— Esther… are you okay? he murmurs, his voice full of fear.
I don't respond.
I raise my hand sharply from his, as if his skin burns me.
He wanted to say something…
But Mom enters at that moment.
She comes straight to me, placing her gentle hand on my cheek:
— My darling… you scared us. How do you feel?
Without a second thought, I pull her hand from my cheek.
I look at them, heart full of anger, tears ready to fall.
— Why are you worried about me?! I exclaim, voice trembling and icy.
— You just want to get rid of me…
I see the pain in their eyes.
But I had to say what was deep inside me.
Mom whispers:
— No, Esther… don't say that…
It looks like she wants to cry but holds back.
I continue, my voice broken but full of bitterness:
— Why… why do you want me to marry?
You don't love me anymore… no one loves me!
Dad rushes to me, face sad.
I've never seen him like that.
— Never say that, you are our most precious.
We love you deeply.
You matter to us. Your happiness… is our happiness.
I grit my teeth and reply, voice full of venom:
— Then why do you want me to marry a cold, cruel stranger?!
Why sell me to a man I don't even know?!
You don't understand me, what I feel!
Mom almost shouts:
— ESTHER! You can't speak to us like that!
But I don't listen.
I turn my gaze away, throat tight.
— Leave. I want to be alone.
I turn my back to them.
They hesitate, but eventually leave.
The door closes.
And I… sink back into my tears.
I curl up under the blanket, burying my head.
Alone. Completely alone.