A Breaking Point :

Days turned into weeks, and the new routine settled into the small suburban home. While Tomie’s presence brought a sense of normalcy and comfort to Triaji and Freina, Tiaki’s feelings of isolation and resentment grew stronger. The sense of being an outsider in her own family weighed heavily on her heart.

Tiaki often found herself alone, watching from the sidelines as Freina, Tomie, and Triaji bonded. She tried to mask her pain with indifference, but the sadness was evident in her eyes. The rare moments she attempted to join in were met with polite but distant responses, deepening her sense of rejection.

One particularly cold evening, Freina announced she would be taking Triaji and Tomie to a nearby park for a picnic. Tiaki’s heart sank. She hadn’t been invited. Freina’s oversight wasn’t intentional, but to Tiaki, it felt like a deliberate exclusion.

As Freina and her two daughters prepared for their outing, Tiaki stayed in her room, staring at the walls. She heard their laughter and excitement echoing through the house, each sound a painful reminder of her isolation.

After they left, the house fell into an eerie silence. Tiaki wandered into the living room, the remnants of their preparations still scattered about. She picked up a forgotten scarf and held it close, tears welling in her eyes.

Her mind raced with memories of happier times, before Francis’ death, when her family was whole and her mother’s love was unconditional. But those memories only served to deepen her sorrow. The pain of being neglected and blamed for her father’s death was too much to bear.

As the sun began to set, Tiaki made a decision. She couldn’t stay in a place where she felt so unloved and invisible. She would leave and find a place where she could start anew, away from the shadows of her past.

She packed a small bag with a few belongings: a change of clothes, some snacks, and a cherished photo of her family from happier times. She hesitated for a moment, looking around the room one last time, before slipping out the back door.

The evening air was crisp and cool as Tiaki walked through the quiet streets. She didn’t know where she was going, but anywhere felt better than the suffocating loneliness of her home. She wandered aimlessly, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions.

As night fell, Tiaki found herself in a small park, the same one where her family had gone for their picnic. She sat on a bench, hugging her bag to her chest, feeling a mixture of fear and determination. She had no clear plan, but she was resolute in her decision to leave.

Meanwhile, at the picnic, Freina, Triaji, and Tomie enjoyed the evening, unaware of Tiaki’s absence. As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Freina felt a sudden pang of guilt. She had been so caught up in her grief and the comfort of Triaji and Tomie’s presence that she had neglected her other daughter, the one who needed her love the most.

When they returned home, Freina’s heart sank. She called out for Tiaki, but there was no answer. Panic set in as she searched the house, finding Tiaki’s room empty and her belongings gone. The reality of her neglect hit her like a tidal wave, bringing with it a crushing sense of guilt and regret.

Triaji, sensing something was wrong, clung to Tomie, her innocent eyes filled with worry. “Where’s Tiaki?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Freina knelt beside her youngest daughter, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know, Triaji,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “But I promise we’ll find her.”

Tomie, always the voice of reason, tried to comfort them both. “We’ll look for her,” she said firmly. “We’ll find Tiaki and bring her home.”

The night was spent in a frantic search, but Tiaki was nowhere to be found. As dawn broke, Freina realized the extent of the damage her neglect had caused. She had driven her daughter away, and now she might never see her again.

Tiaki, meanwhile, continued her journey, determined to find a place where she could heal and start anew. The road ahead was uncertain, but she felt a glimmer of hope. Away from the shadows of her past, she believed she could find her own path and perhaps, one day, make peace with the pain she carried.

Back at home, the loss of Tiaki left a void that was felt by everyone. Freina, Triaji, and Tomie had to come to terms with their new reality, each grappling with their own guilt and sorrow. The once cozy home was now a place of unresolved grief and lingering regret, setting the stage for the difficult journey of healing and reconciliation that lay ahead.

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