Chapter Four - A Door That Closed

Morning came quietly.

Too quietly.

Tiara had barely slept.

She lay on the thin mattress, staring at the ceiling while the events of the previous night replayed in her mind.

Her father’s voice.

His words.

Emmanuel pulling him away.

David standing between them.

Sarah’s frightened face.

Tiara swallowed and turned toward the wall, pulling the blanket closer around herself.

A knock came at the door.

She didn't answer.

Another knock followed.

“Tiara.”

She knew that voice.

Emmanuel.

She sat up slowly.

“Come in.”

The door opened.

Emmanuel stepped inside, already dressed. His face was unusually stern, and for a moment, he simply looked at her.

“You’re leaving.”

It wasn’t a question.

Tiara lowered her eyes to her hands.

“Yes.”

Emmanuel folded his arms.

“Where?”

“I don’t know yet.”

His jaw tightened.

“You don’t know where you’re going, but you’ve decided you’re leaving?”

Tiara looked at him.

“I can’t stay here.”

“You think leaving without knowing where you’re going is a solution?”

“No.” Her voice dropped. “But staying isn’t one either.”

Emmanuel stared at her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then he pulled the old plastic chair closer and sat down.

“You know what you did was wrong.”

Tiara’s eyes fell.

“I know.”

“Good.”

His voice wasn’t gentle, but it wasn’t cruel either.

“You made a mistake, Tiara. A serious one. Nobody is asking you to pretend it didn’t happen.”

She nodded silently.

“But listen to me.”

She looked up.

Emmanuel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“Don’t let Daddy’s anger convince you that you’re worthless.”

Tiara’s lips parted slightly.

“He said—”

“I heard what he said.”

Emmanuel’s expression hardened.

“And I won’t defend him for saying it.”

Tiara looked away.

“You’re still my sister,” he continued. “That doesn’t change because you’re pregnant.”

Her eyes began to fill.

Emmanuel noticed and looked away, as though giving her privacy was the only way he knew how to comfort her.

“Pack your things,” he said.

Tiara blinked.

“You’ll help me?”

He gave her a look.

“Did I say I wouldn’t?”

“No.”

“Then stop looking at me like I just performed a miracle.”

A tiny smile escaped her.

Emmanuel noticed.

“There. At least you can still smile.”

Tiara rolled her eyes.

“You’re so annoying.”

“And you’re still talking too much.”

The smile lingered for another second before she lowered her gaze.

Emmanuel stood.

“Pack.”

“Yes, sir.”

He reached the door, then stopped.

“Tiara.”

She looked up.

“If anybody asks where you’re going, you tell them you’re going somewhere safe. You don’t start explaining your life to everybody.”

She nodded.

“Okay.”

“And don’t be stubborn.”

She frowned.

“I’m not stubborn.”

Emmanuel raised an eyebrow.

“You argued with me for ten minutes yesterday while crying.”

“That doesn’t count.”

“Of course it doesn’t.”

He walked out.

Tiara stared at the doorway for a moment.

Then she got up.

By noon, her things were packed.

There wasn’t much.

A few clothes.

Two pairs of slippers.

Some personal belongings.

And the family photograph.

She wrapped the photograph carefully in one of her clothes and placed it at the bottom of her bag.

She didn’t know why she was taking it.

Perhaps because leaving it behind felt too much like leaving the last piece of the family she remembered.

When she stepped into the parlour, Sarah was already waiting.

Her eyes were swollen.

“You’re really going.”

Tiara adjusted the strap of her bag.

“Yes.”

Sarah folded her arms.

“And you’re not coming back?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

Tiara sighed.

“Sarah…”

“What?”

“Don’t start.”

Sarah’s lips trembled.

“I’m not starting anything.”

“You’re about to cry.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I said I’m not!”

Tiara stared at her.

Sarah sniffed.

“Okay. Maybe small.”

A laugh escaped Tiara.

It lasted barely a second.

Sarah smiled through her tears.

“There. That’s better.”

Tiara stepped closer.

“You’ll be fine without me.”

Sarah immediately frowned.

“Who said that?”

“I’m just saying—”

“No. Don’t say things like that.”

Tiara looked at her sister.

Sarah wiped her face with the back of her hand.

“You’re my sister. You can’t just disappear and expect me to act normal.”

Tiara’s expression softened.

She reached out and pulled Sarah into a hug.

Sarah buried her face against her shoulder.

“I’ll miss you,” she whispered.

Tiara closed her eyes.

“I’ll miss you too.”

“You better come and visit.”

“I will.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Sarah pulled away and looked at her.

“And don’t forget me when you become rich.”

Tiara laughed softly.

“Rich?”

“Yes. You heard me.”

“I haven’t even started selling anything.”

“That’s why I’m telling you early.”

Tiara shook her head.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I know.”

For a moment, the room almost felt like the old one again.

Then David appeared from the hallway.

He looked from Tiara’s bag to her face.

“You’re leaving?”

Tiara nodded.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll be fine, David.”

“That wasn’t what I asked.”

Tiara gave him a sad smile.

“I don’t know yet.”

David’s face changed.

“But you’re coming back?”

Tiara didn’t answer immediately.

David looked at Emmanuel.

“Tell her something.”

Emmanuel sighed.

“David, let her go.”

“But—”

“She’ll come back when she’s ready.”

David lowered his head.

Tiara walked over and hugged him.

“Take care of Sarah for me.”

David frowned.

“Why me?”

“Because you’re her brother.”

“You’re her sister too.”

Tiara smiled.

“Exactly.”

David rolled his eyes, but his arms tightened around her.

Then Tiara straightened.

She looked around the room.

The old walls.

The worn-out furniture.

The faded curtains.

The home that had once been filled with laughter.

It wasn’t much.

But there had been a time when it had felt like enough.

She tightened her grip on her bag.

Then she walked toward the door.

Emmanuel followed her outside.

At the doorway, he stopped her.

“Tiara.”

She turned.

“Whatever happens out there, don’t be too proud to ask for help.”

She nodded.

“I won’t.”

“And call me when you get there.”

“I will.”

His expression hardened.

“I’m serious.”

“I know.”

“Good.”

He stepped aside.

Tiara walked away.

She didn’t turn back immediately.

But after a few steps, she did.

Emmanuel was still standing at the doorway.

Sarah stood behind him.

David peered around Sarah’s shoulder.

Tiara raised her hand.

Sarah waved back.

Emmanuel simply nodded.

Then Tiara turned around and continued walking.

The road ahead was unfamiliar.

But at least it was hers to walk.