Chapter 19: Unveiling Hidden Struggles

It's been one year since their father's death, and the family's situation had grown increasingly dire. Ella's mother remained secluded in her room, the bakery remained closed, and Mia had been expelled from school due to unpaid fees. Ella's part-time dishwashing job barely covered their basic needs, leaving little room for hope.

One evening, after a grueling shift, Ella returned home to find the house eerily silent. Mia was supposed to be at the bakery, attempting to sell leftover goods, but there was no sign of her. Concerned, Ella called out, "Mom? Mia?" The lack of response intensified her anxiety.

Approaching her mother's bedroom door, she found it locked. Knocking gently, she called, "Mom, are you there?" Silence. Her heart raced as she retrieved a small screwdriver from her father's old toolbox, a skill he had taught her for emergencies. With trembling hands, she unlocked the door.

Inside, her mother lay unconscious on the floor, a pool of blood around her arm, and a broken bottle nearby. Ella's breath caught, "Mom!" She rushed to her side, checking for a pulse. It was faint but present. Recalling basic first aid, she applied pressure to the wound with a clean towel and elevated her mother's legs to promote blood flow. Her mind raced, trying to remain calm.

At that moment, Mia entered the house, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. "Ella, what's happening?"

"Mom's hurt. Help me keep pressure on her arm," Ella instructed. Mia knelt beside them, tears streaming down her face.

"Is she going to be okay?" Mia's voice trembled.

"I don't know, but we need to stay calm," Ella replied, trying to reassure her sister despite her own fear.

As they tended to their mother, Ella noticed a black plastic bag partially hidden under the bed. Curiosity piqued, she reached for it, revealing several blister packs of antidepressant pills and a carton of cigarettes. Her heart sank.

"Mia, look at this," Ella whispered, showing her sister the contents.

Mia's eyes widened, "I didn't know Mom was taking these. Do you think she's been hiding this from us?"

"It seems like it," Ella replied, her voice heavy with sorrow. "I wish she had told us. We could have helped her."

Hours later, their mother stirred, her eyes fluttering open to the concerned faces of her daughters.

"Mom, you're awake," Mia said softly, relief evident in her tone.

Their mother attempted a weak smile, "I'm sorry to worry you both."

"Mom, we found these," Ella said gently, holding up the bag containing the pills and cigarettes. "Why didn't you tell us you were struggling?"

Tears filled their mother's eyes, "I didn't want to burden you. After your father died, I felt so lost. The antidepressants weren't enough, and I turned to smoking to cope. I thought I could handle it on my own."

"Mom, we're a family," Mia said, her voice breaking. "We should face these things together."

"I know," their mother sobbed. "I was ashamed. I didn't want you to see me like this."

"Mom, we love you," Ella said firmly. "But we can't help you if you shut us out. We need to support each other, especially now."

"I want to get better," their mother whispered. "I don't want to hide anymore."

"We'll find a way through this," Mia added, squeezing her mother's hand. "Together."

In that moment, amidst the tears and confessions, a glimmer of hope emerged. They had a long road ahead, but for the first time since their father's death, they faced it united, ready to confront the shadows of despair with the light of their shared love.

To Be Continued...