Chapter 4: The Edge of Freedom

Maria lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of the streetlights filtering through the curtains. Beside her, Daniel snored softly, oblivious to the storm brewing inside her.

She couldn't do this anymore.

The thought had been growing in her mind for weeks, like a vine wrapping itself around her chest, squeezing tighter and tighter until she could barely breathe.

For so long, she had accepted her fate. She had listened to everyone …her parents, society, even her own fears ..telling her that this was her life, and she had to endure it.

But what if she didn't?

What if she just… left?

She had never allowed herself to seriously consider it before. The idea had always felt impossible, like a dream too fragile to hold. But lately, it had become real.

A possibility.

A chance.

She turned onto her side, watching Daniel's sleeping form. The man who was supposed to be her partner, her protector, her family.

Instead, he felt like a chain around her ankle.

Maria inhaled sharply and sat up. Her heart pounded in her chest as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, careful not to make a sound. She reached under the bed, pulling out the small suitcase she had hidden there days ago.

She had been preparing.

Packing little by little, small things Daniel wouldn't notice. Clothes, documents, money she had secretly saved.

She wasn't sure where she would go. Anywhere but here.

Maybe a new city. Maybe a different country. She could find a job, build a new life, start fresh.

The thought sent a shiver of excitement down her spine.

Freedom.

For the first time in years, it felt like a real possibility.

She zipped up the suitcase and stood, staring at the door.

All she had to do was walk through it.

Just go.

Her fingers tightened around the handle.

But her feet wouldn't move.

A heavy weight settled in her chest, the same suffocating fear that had kept her trapped for so long.

She had never lived alone.

Never had to make decisions without someone telling her what to do.

Could she really survive on her own?

What if she failed?

What if leaving was worse than staying?

Doubt crawled into her mind, whispering the same fears she had been carrying her whole life.

She clenched her jaw. No. She wouldn't let fear stop her.

She had to tell someone. Someone who would understand.

Her mother.

The phone rang twice before her mother answered, her voice groggy from sleep. "Maria? It's late. What's wrong?"

Maria hesitated, gripping the phone tightly. "Mom… I need to talk to you."

A sigh. "Can't this wait until morning?"

"No." Maria took a deep breath. "I'm leaving Daniel."

Silence.

Then, a sharp laugh.

Maria's stomach twisted.

Her mother laughed.

Like Maria had just told her the most ridiculous joke in the world.

"Oh, Maria," her mother said, still chuckling. "Don't be an idiot."

Maria felt something inside her crack. "I'm serious."

"No, you're not." Her mother's voice was firm. "You're being dramatic. Where would you even go?"

Maria swallowed. "I don't know yet, but I'll figure it out."

Another laugh. This one colder. "You? Alone?"

Maria flinched.

"You don't know how to take care of yourself," her mother continued. "You can't just run away from your responsibilities. Marriage isn't a game, Maria. You don't get to leave just because you're unhappy."

Maria's hands trembled. "Mom, he doesn't love me. He doesn't even care. I've tried everything."

"You haven't tried hard enough."

Maria's throat tightened.

Not again.

Not this.

Her mother sighed like she was talking to a child. "Listen to me, Maria. You're not special. Every marriage has problems. Do you think I was happy every day with your father? Of course not. But I stayed. Because that's what women do."

Maria squeezed her eyes shut, her mother's words hitting her like a slap.

That's what women do.

She had spent her whole life hearing that.

Women endure. Women sacrifice. Women stay.

But what if she didn't want to?

Her mother sighed again. "Go to sleep, Maria. You'll feel better in the morning."

Maria didn't respond.

The call ended.

She sat there, staring at the phone in her hands.

She had wanted comfort. Support. Validation.

Instead, she got the same message she always had.

You don't matter.

Maria slowly got up and walked to the window, pressing her forehead against the cool glass. The city stretched out before her, lights flickering against the darkness.

Somewhere out there, people were living their own lives. Making their own choices.

Maria wanted that.

But her mother's voice echoed in her mind.

You? Alone?

Doubt clawed at her again.

Maybe she wasn't strong enough.

Maybe she was exactly what her mother thought she was …a foolish girl who couldn't survive on her own.

Maybe she was stuck here forever.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

But as she watched the city below, she saw something.

A woman …alone…walking down the street with a suitcase.

Maria's heart clenched.

She didn't know where that woman was going.

But she was going somewhere.

And for the first time, Maria allowed herself to believe…

Maybe she could, too…someday .