Mia lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind whirling with anger, confusion, and a trace of guilt she didn't want to admit. She could still see the look on Snow's face, the sadness in David's eyes. It wasn't that she didn't understand their worry—part of her did—but the idea of accepting their care felt impossible. She'd learned to take care of herself; she didn't need anyone else, least of all parents she'd never known.

The knock on her door startled her. She stayed silent, hoping they would take the hint and leave her alone. But after a few moments, the door opened slightly, and Emma poked her head in.

"Hey," Emma said softly, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "Mind if I sit?"

Mia shrugged, not meeting her sister's gaze. Emma took that as permission and settled onto the edge of the bed, her expression thoughtful.

"You know," Emma began, her voice gentle, "I didn't take it well at first, either."

Mia glanced at her, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Emma gave a small, rueful smile. "When I found out who they were, it took me a long time to let them in. I spent my whole life thinking I didn't need anyone, either. I had walls up so high I couldn't see over them."

Mia looked away, her voice defensive. "It's different for you. You're an adult. You had time to figure out who you were. I'm still trying to… I don't know. Make sense of everything."

Emma nodded, understanding. "Yeah, but some things are the same. I know what it feels like to have someone suddenly come into your life, telling you they're family. It's a lot."

Mia hugged her knees, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just… I can't see them as parents. It doesn't feel real. And they keep acting like they know me, like they can just… fix everything."

Emma reached out, giving Mia's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "They're learning, just like you are. They're trying to make up for lost time, and they're probably overdoing it. But they're doing it because they care."

Mia let out a shaky breath. "I don't know if I want them to care. I'm fine on my own. I've always been fine."

Emma looked at her, her gaze unwavering. "I know. But maybe it's okay to let people care about you now. It doesn't make you any weaker, or any less strong."

Mia didn't reply, the tension simmering within her. She felt trapped, torn between the life she'd built and the family she was supposed to be part of. Part of her wanted to let go, to open herself up, but the other part—the part that had survived foster care and loneliness—refused to yield.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door, and both Mia and Emma looked up as Snow stepped into the room, her face filled with a mixture of determination and vulnerability.

"Mia, I just… I wanted to apologize," Snow said, her voice trembling slightly. "I know I've been pushing too hard. I just… I don't want to make the same mistakes I did before."

Mia's heart clenched, but she kept her expression guarded. "Mistakes?"

Snow took a deep breath, stepping further into the room. "When you and Emma were born, I was so focused on protecting you that I didn't stop to think about what it would mean for you to grow up without us. I thought… I thought sending you away was the only way to keep you safe. But I was wrong. And I'm so sorry, Mia."

David appeared in the doorway, his face solemn as he joined them. "We know we can't change what happened, but we don't want to lose you now. We want you to feel like you have a place here—with us."

Mia's defenses wavered, her voice thick with emotion. "You keep saying that, but I don't know how I'm supposed to just… accept it. You were never there. You have no idea what my life was like."

David nodded, his gaze filled with regret. "You're right. We don't know. And we'll never be able to understand everything you went through. But if you'll let us… we'd like to try. We want to know you, Mia. For who you are, not just who we hoped you'd be."

Mia felt her walls cracking, a painful pressure building in her chest. "I don't even know who I am anymore. I'm not some… princess. I'm not a kid who needs her parents to make everything okay."

Snow's eyes glistened with tears as she stepped closer. "You're whoever you want to be, Mia. We're not here to change that. We just want to be part of your life, however you'll let us."

For a moment, the room was silent, the tension hanging heavy in the air. Mia looked at each of them, her emotions raw and conflicting. She could see the sincerity in their eyes, the genuine desire to connect, but the hurt she'd carried for so long held her back.

Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. "I… I don't know if I can just let you in. It's not that easy."

Snow nodded, her voice soft. "We're not asking for easy. We're just asking for a chance."

Mia swallowed, feeling the weight of their words pressing down on her. Part of her wanted to give them that chance, to let herself believe that family could be something real, something good. But the fear, the anger, the betrayal—it was all still there, clawing at her from the inside.

"I'll… I'll think about it," she said quietly, her voice barely audible.

Snow and David exchanged a glance, a small, hopeful smile flickering on Snow's face. "That's all we're asking, Mia," Snow said gently. "Just take your time."

Emma gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before standing. "And remember, you're not alone in figuring all of this out. I'm here, too. We're in this together."

As Snow and David left the room, Mia felt a strange mix of relief and confusion settle over her. She still didn't know if she could trust them, if she could let herself believe that they truly wanted to be part of her life. But maybe, just maybe, there was a sliver of hope.

And for now, that was enough.