I am speechless with the response this story is getting, especially the reviews that are left. Thanks a ton, guys!
Beta love goes to Frannie (Fran S. Flower) who makes every chapter so much better than what I am capable of writing.
A shout out to Angela (AngelaAbbot) for always being so encouraging and enthusiastic about this story.
Chapter 32
'You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.'
- C.S. Lewis
"Enough!"
A thunderous roar halted their self-blame.
Flinty orbs pinned them with a brutal glare, their tawny depths charred to dusty soot.
"Enough with this guilty bullshit! For heaven's sake, we are not gods!"
"Emmett-"
"Just listen to me, Mom!" An enraged growl cut-off the interruption, forcibly demanding attention.
"That girl up there was wronged and abused nearly all her life. She was never shown kindness or empathy, never treated as a human being. People are tantamount to pain for her; family spells pain for her!"
The words rang, loud and clear, uncontained with savage wrath. Shocked, everyone stared at him, the fury of one so eternally cheerful, jolting.
"Her fears and triggers are a part of her, from which even our gifts can't protect her forever."
Quiet grief of his utterance unfurled, birthing tentative understanding and nascent acceptance. The tightrope of balance stretched, carving realistic from unrealistic.
"We've to stop beating ourselves up. This incident was not and will not be the first and the last." Emmett winced, the bitter truth hitting him too.
"But some fights are better left at the mercy of time."
Please leave me your thoughts on this chapter. The next one will be up on Thursday. It will deal with the effect that panic attack had on Bella's psyche.
Until next time!
Love,
Ansha