49
~ Bella's POV
I woke up with a tight feeling in my chest, the kind of heaviness that doesn't seem to lift, no matter how many times you take a deep breath. The sun was already creeping through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room, but it felt like the light couldn't reach me. It never did on this day.
Today was the anniversary of my mother's death.
It had been years since she passed, but somehow, every year, this day still hurt like the first time. The loss, the emptiness, it never quite left. I wanted to push away the sadness, but it always came flooding back, just like it always did on this day.
I blinked, trying to push the thoughts of her away, but it was impossible. The memories of her warmth, her laughter, the way she always made sure I had what I needed, they all came rushing back, too fast, too overwhelming. I never understood how a day like today could hurt so much when it had been years. But it did. It always did.
