Chapter 17 - Holding It Together

Months has passed since their father's death, yet the pain remained fresh in their hearts. Ella, Mia, and their mother had tried to move forward, but life without him felt like climbing an endless mountain with no peak in sight.

Their mother, once a strong and hardworking woman, had completely shut down. The bakery, the one place that used to smell of fresh bread and warmth, remained closed. Dust settled on the shelves, and the signboard outside faded with time.

Mia, once full of life, now barely spoke. She had stopped going to school regularly, and Ella had been too consumed with working and providing to notice how bad things had gotten.

Ella herself was drowning. She had gone from one heartbreak to another-from losing her relationship to losing her father-and now, she was carrying the weight of their survival on her shoulders. The part-time dishwashing job barely brought in enough money, and some nights, they went to bed hungry.

It was a quiet morning when Ella woke up to the faint sound of clanking dishes. She rubbed her tired eyes, wondering why the smell of breakfast filled the air. It had been a long time since someone cooked in the house before her.

Dragging herself out of bed, she walked into the small kitchen and found Mia standing over the gas stove, stirring a pot of porridge. Her little hands moved carefully, her eyes focused.

Ella frowned. "Mia? What are you doing?"

Mia glanced at her and smiled weakly. "Making breakfast."

Ella's stomach twisted. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for school?"

Mia looked down, biting her lip. "I... I'm not going to school today."

Ella stepped closer, her heart pounding. "Why not?"

Mia hesitated before mumbling, "I got sent home. My school fees haven't been paid."

Ella felt as if someone had knocked the air out of her lungs. "What?"

Mia sighed, keeping her gaze on the porridge. "They told me not to come back until it's paid."

Ella's knees felt weak, and she leaned against the counter. Guilt slammed into her like a wave. How had she not noticed? She had been so caught up in working, trying to survive, that she hadn't even realized her sister had stopped going to school.

Mia turned off the stove and looked at Ella. "I didn't want to tell you because I know you're trying your best."

Tears burned in Ella's eyes, but she swallowed them down. She forced a smile and pulled Mia into a tight hug. "I promise, I'll fix this. I'll find a way."

Mia buried her face in Ella's shoulder. "I miss Dad."

Ella squeezed her eyes shut, holding back a sob. "I miss him too."

After breakfast, Mia insisted on going to the bakery shop, even though their mother refused to leave the house.

"I can at least sell some bread," Mia said. "Mom won't open the shop, but if I don't do something, we'll run out of food."

Ella nodded, feeling both proud and heartbroken for her little sister.

As they stepped outside, Mia headed for the shop, while Ella went in the opposite direction-toward the dishwashing job that barely kept them afloat.

She knew she had to do more. But how?

Later that evening, Ella sat beside her mother, who was lying on the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Ella hesitated before speaking, her voice soft but firm. "Mom, we need to talk."

Her mother didn't respond.

Ella sighed. "Mom, the bakery... It's been closed for a year. We can't keep going like this."

Her mother finally turned her head, her eyes hollow. "I have no strength, Ella. I have nothing left in me."

Ella's throat tightened. "I know it hurts. I miss Dad too. But we're struggling. Mia was sent home from school today because we couldn't pay her fees. We don't have enough money for food some days. I can't do this alone, Mom."

Her mother's eyes filled with tears. "I failed you. I failed all of you."

Ella grabbed her mother's hands. "No, you didn't. But if you stay like this, we'll lose everything. Dad would want us to fight. Please, Mom. If not for me, do it for Mia."

Her mother looked away, wiping her tears. "I don't know if I can."

Ella squeezed her hands. "Then let me help. We can start small. Just open the shop again. I'll be there when I'm not working."

Her mother didn't answer, but for the first time in months, there was a flicker of life in her eyes.

At night, after turning off the lights, Ella lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Mia's soft voice broke the silence.

"Sis, do you ever think about leaving?"

Ella turned to face her. "Leaving where?"

"Here. This town. This life. Just running away from all of it."

Ella sighed, reaching out to hold Mia's hand. "Every day."

Mia hesitated. "Then why don't you?"

Ella smiled sadly. "Because you and Mom are here. I could never leave you behind."

Mia squeezed her hand. "I don't want you to suffer because of us."

Ella shook her head. "We're a family. We don't leave each other behind."

Mia didn't respond, but she moved closer, resting her head against Ella's shoulder. "I love you, Ella."

Ella kissed the top of her sister's head. "I love you too, Mia."

To Be Continued