It took days to say yes.
By the time I finally nodded, Mom cried harder than she had the night she brought me home.
"I just want you to be okay," she kept saying. "That's all I want."
Now the apartment was almost empty.
I taped the last box shut with shaking hands. Everything I owned fit inside it. Clothes that didn't feel like me anymore. Pieces of a life that didn't exist.
The door creaked open.
Mr Cole stepped in, already lifting a box like it weighed nothing.
"Take your time," he said gently. Then, glancing at his watch, "But we should leave soon. Traffic gets bad if we wait."
Mom nodded quickly. "Just…just one minute."
She disappeared into the bedroom.
I stood there alone, my heart started beating too fast.
When she came back, she was holding something small.
A dark vase, with blue flower designs.
She smiled at me, but I noticed a tear dropped.
"Eve," she sniffled, and her voice broke on my name.. "Come here, baby."
She placed the vase in my hands.
It was heavier than it looked.
"This is your dad," she whispered. "I kept him for you."
My chest tightened.
I shook my head slowly, as tears poured down my face.
This..this can't be dad.
Dad shouldn't fit into this small vase.
"I couldn't…" She shook her head, pressing her lips together. "I couldn't let them pour him away."
My eyes widened in shock.
"I thought…." She paused. "I thought you should decide.."
"You don't have to do anything with it," Mom rushed to say. "You don't have to let go. You can keep him close. As long as you need."
My fingers curled around the vase instinctively, like it might slip if I didn't hold it tight enough.
Her hand came up to my chest, right over my heart.
"Right here," she said softly. "That's where he belongs until you're ready."
I couldn't cry loudly. I couldn't scream.
I just stood there, holding what was left of my father, while my body shook like it finally understood how much I'd lost.
"I'm sorry," Mom whispered into my hair. "I'm so, so sorry."
Mr Cole turned away quietly, pretending to adjust a box, giving us space.
After a moment, he spoke gently.
"We should go," he said. "Whenever you're ready."
Mom wiped her face, took a breath she clearly didn't feel.
She looked at me, and sniffled. "Okay?"
I nodded.
I held the vase closer to my chest.
And when we walked out of that apartment for the last time, I didn't look back.
I couldn't.
Because if I did, I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to leave.
——
The drive stretched on for hours.
At first, I stayed awake, watching the road blur past the window.
Mom was sitting beside Mr Cole in the front seat, quietly folding her hands on her lap.
I don't remember falling asleep.
I only remember my mom's hand reaching back, tapping my knee gently.
"Evelyn," she said softly. "We're in the city."
My eyes fluttered open slowly.
At first, I thought I was still dreaming.
Glass towers rose into the sky, catching the sun like mirrors. Streets looked so clean wuth large billboards. Lights were everywhere, even in the afternoon. The city felt alive.
This is… Estrella?
I'd heard a lot about it. But hearing about a place and seeing it were two completely different things.
It was beautiful.
The car slowed, turning onto a quieter street lined with tall trees and iron gates. My eyes widened from disbelief.
Then the car stopped.
I looked up.
And my breath caught.
The mansion stood before us, its white walls were glowing softly beneath the sky. Tall doors that looks like it belongs in a movie.
Huge didn't even cover it.
This place didn't feel real.
An elderly woman stood there, her silver hair was neatly pulled back. Beside her was a middle-aged man in a dark suit.
And behind them…
People.
Staff.
Butlers.
My heart started racing.
Mr Cole pulled over, and stepped out first.
One of them opened the door for Mom and then for me.
Mr Cole smiled when he saw my expression.
"I know," he said softly. "It's a lot."
He gestured toward the house.
"Welcome home."
Home?
"I informed everyone you'd be arriving today," he continued. "They'll help you settle in first. We'll do a proper tour later, when you're ready."
The butlers stepped forward, lifting our bags.
Mom stood frozen for a second, clutching her purse tightly.
"Sir…" she whispered. "This is….this is too much."
He shook his head gently. "It's exactly enough."
They led us inside.
The moment I crossed the threshold, I gasped.
The interior was breathtaking.
High ceilings. Chandeliers casting soft light. Marble floors that reflected our footsteps.
The walls were lined with huge paintings and tall windows.
We were shown to Mom's room first.
It was larger than our entire old apartment.
A bed was neatly made with soft white sheets. Curtains that moved gently with the breeze. A private bathroom that looked like something out of a hotel.
Mom pressed a hand to her mouth.
"Oh my God…" she whispered.
Mr Cole gave her a moment.
Then the elderly woman turned to me.
"Come, dear," she said softly. "Let's see your room next."
My chest tightened.
I followed her down the hallway.
She opened one.
And there it was….. just like I imagined.
Sunlight streamed through a wide window. The bed was neatly made in pink linens.
"This is your room," she said gently.
I stepped inside slowly.
The tightness in my chest loosened a little.
So…this is where healing starts.