Elza's POV
(Eliza's mom )
Why did Claire take me to a hospital when i said i want to see Eliza? Is she here?
"Claire? Why are we here?",I asked
He said,"Aunt,She is here"
"W.. What? "I stuttered.
After these years is this how i am going to meet my daughter.
Maybe she won't runaway from me. Maybe she will talk to me.
As we stepped into the elevator, Claire pressed the button for the 7th floor. The doors closed, and the elevator began its ascent. The elevator's gentle hum filled the silence as we rode up to the floor.
As the elevator door opened, we stepped out.
"Why is she here?" I asked him.He turned to look at me.His expression was filled with concern.
"I don't know either, aunt. I don't know anything. When i tell something that gives even a hint about her feeling. She acts strange. She look like a very different person. She tries her best to be in her control but i feel like someone is controlling her. On the struggle to fight back, she faints " he explained, making me worry. My heart shattered how much pain did my kid endured all these years? What's the reason?
He opened a room's door and told me to come in. I stepped in saw my kid for the first time.
I slowly walked towards her. Tears streamed down my face. The weight in my chest vanished.
I always wondered if I'd recognize you.
Even though I never saw your face... I used to dream about it. I imagined your eyes—would they be mine, or his? I imagined the curve of your smile, the sound of your laugh. But now, standing here, none of my dreams come close to this.
You're real.
You're lying here—so still, so quiet—and I don't know if I should scream or fall to my knees. Sixteen years of searching… and I find you like this? Not laughing. Not talking. Not even awake to look at me.
I never got to hold you, never got to feel your warmth as a newborn. I never sang to you, never told you stories. They took you from me before I even heard your first cry.
And yet… every part of me knew you. I carried you in my bones, in the silence of every night, in the ache of every birthday I spent without you. You were always with me… even when I didn't know if you were alive.
Now, I'm afraid.
Because what if you wake up… and don't want me?
But I will wait. As long as it takes. I will sit by your side, breathe for you, pray for you, and love you like I've done every day since you left my arms before you ever entered them.
I imagined her face a thousand different ways as she grew up in my mind, but nothing... nothing prepared me for this.
There she was. Pale. Still. Breathing, but not awake.
My heart thundered in my chest. I wanted to cry, scream, laugh—how can grief and joy exist in the same breath? I reached out to touch her face, afraid she'd vanish like the dream she had always been.
Sixteen years of wondering, of guilt, of searching, of blaming myself. And now—here she is. My baby. My Eliza. I found her... but will she wake up and remember me? Will she even want me?
I don't care. She's here. That's all that matters.
I spoke softly, trembling but steady, brushing hair from her forehead.
"I used to whisper to the stars… asking them to take care of you. I didn't know where you were. I didn't know who had you. But I asked them every night—'Please, let her be safe. Let her be loved.'
And now you're here. Right in front of me.
I missed your whole childhood… but I'm here for your tomorrow, if you'll have me.
Please, wake up. Just open your eyes. Let me be your mother… finally."
I took some breaths and spoke again.
"Sweetheart... please wake up. I missed everything—your first steps, your first words… but if you give me this second chance, I'll never miss another moment again. I promise."
I stared at her for sometime. Claire was silent. He just stared at her. Just then a nurse came in.
"Are you ms. Eliza's mom?" She asked. My heart felt blossomed. Mom. Yes, i am her mom."Yes" i said calmly. "Mr. Fernandez is calling you" she said and led us to his office.She opened the door for us and let us in. David? I softly smiled at him. David Fernandez older brother of Derick. Eliza's father. He seem expecting. Did he know that she is our daughter?
He stood up from his chair and smiled back at me. "Glad to meet you again, Elza" he greeted me. "You know Eliza before?" I opened up. Claire looked between us with a confused expression. David let out a sigh "Hmm.. Yeah. She was... in Dylan's school" he said. "Dylan?" I heard Claire's soft whisper like he is talking to himself.
"Let's talk about Eliza's condition first. That's more important " he said
I took some deep breaths and nodded. "Have a seat" he said and sat down on his chair and adjusted his coat.
We both sat down. Claire focused on what he is going to say. Claire gulped secretly like trying to hide some guilts. I patted his hand to calm him down.
"I want to thank you all for being here and for your concern about Eliza. What she's going through is serious, but with understanding and support, healing is possible. Let me help you understand what's happening." He started.
"Eliza has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. This is a condition that can develop after someone experiences something deeply distressing or life-threatening—like abuse, violence, or loss. For Eliza, certain memories or triggers can cause vivid flashbacks, panic attacks, or overwhelming fear. These reactions aren't a choice—they're her brain trying to protect her, even when the danger is no longer present."
"You might see her freeze up, lash out, or shut down completely. That's not her being dramatic or difficult—it's her nervous system reacting to trauma."
"Eliza also shows signs of a dissociative disorder. This means her mind copes with trauma by disconnecting—either from her memories, her surroundings, or even her sense of self. Sometimes she may not remember things she's said or done. At other times, her behavior may seem drastically different, like she's someone else entirely. This isn't 'acting' or pretending. It's a very real and painful survival mechanism that developed over time."
"In some cases, individuals form distinct identities or experience fugue states—periods where they wander or lose awareness of who or where they are. These are signs of just how severe and complex Eliza's trauma has been."
"All of this ties into something we call complex trauma. Unlike a single traumatic event, complex trauma happens over long periods, often during childhood, and usually involves betrayal by someone close. This can damage a person's sense of safety, trust, and self-worth. That's why Eliza struggles with emotional regulation, has difficulty trusting others, and might feel worthless or ashamed, even when she's done nothing wrong."
"She may push people away or become overwhelmed by emotions she doesn't understand. What she needs most is patience, safety, and consistency.
This isn't a quick or easy journey. Eliza isn't broken—she's surviving the aftermath of experiences no one should ever endure. Your role isn't to fix her, but to walk beside her. She needs to know she's not alone, and that who she is—even with all this pain—is still worthy of love and care."
His words scared me. Claire quickly stoof up and went out.
I couldn't control my tears.