[Bonus chapter] Family Reunion

Melody's eyes darted between Lucas and Alexia Kaisley, sensing their unspoken questions and the weight of their expectations. She knew that they demanded for answers, for an explanation that could make sense of her absence.

Yet, a part of her wanted to shield them from the burden she carried, to keep the painful truth locked away inside her. The internal struggle intensified as she grappled with the choice of revealing her secrets or keeping them hidden, protecting her family from the darkness that had consumed her.

Her heart ached as she wrestled with the weight of her secrets. She yearned to confide in her family, to unburden herself and seek solace in their understanding. But the fear of their disappointment and the potential judgment held her back.