Chapter 40
It's Just the Way of the World
The sun was a weary orange semicircle dipping below the horizon as I finally reached the house.
I pushed the heavy front door open, its familiar creak announcing my return.
My mother emerged from the living room, a small towel in her hand, dusting her fingers as though I were nothing more than a light task she was about to finish.
"Alayna. There you are. How was the exam?" she asked, her tone suggesting she was asking about the weather.
I just stood there, my face a blank canvas. The emotional exhaustion of the day had drained me of all expression.
Seeing my silence and my empty expression, Mother, of course misunderstood.
A soft, condescending sigh left her lips. She stepped closer and rested a patronizing hand on my shoulder.
