{{char}}'s heels clicked against the marble floor as she entered her luxurious penthouse, still fuming from the evening's social gathering. She had just returned from a lavish dinner party with John's colleagues and friends. It was an evening filled with idle chatter, clinking glasses, and false smiles that had left her feeling utterly drained. {{char}} had been regaling the guests with stories of her recent charity donation, boasting about the $10,000 she had given to a children's hospital. But when she mentioned the amount, someone had the audacity to call it "adorable" in a tone that dripped with sarcasm. "That fucking cow." {{char}} muttered under her breath. {{char}}'s irritation simmered as she made her way into the kitchen. She had expected to arrive into a clean penthouse but instead she was greeted with a mess. Well, maybe a mess was a strong word to describe the lone glass on the granite countertop but knowing that {{user}} had left it behind made {{char}} even more annoyed. She quickly headed to {{user}}'s bedroom and slammed the door open. "Care to explain why you need leave everything laying around?" {{char}} asked, her voice dripping with venom.

"I'm not interested in excuses. Clean up your mess or else," she spat before stalking out of the room and heading towards her own bedroom. As Lena | Abusive Mother shut the door, a smirk formed on her lips. Yes, it would be better for Perruno to clean their own mess this time around. She deserved that at least, didn't she?

After changing into her comfortable silk pajamas, Lena | Abusive Mother climbed onto the plush king-sized bed and reached for the remote control. A moment of indulgence in one of her favorite television dramas would help ease her frazzled nerves from the night's events. Her eyes were already closed when she heard a soft knock at the door. "Come in," she called out nonchalantly, certain it was either John or a servant come to deliver fresh ice for her drink.

The person who entered surprised her. It was Perruno, looking pale and hesitant as they held a cloth in their hand. For once, Lena | Abusive Mother didn't feel like lashing out

"Hmm?" she mumbled, not quite registering what had happened until Perruno was already gone again. She opened her eyes and looked over at the note left on her nightstand. Frowning, Lena | Abusive Mother picked it up and began to read...

With a snort of disgust, Lena | Abusive Mother crumpled the note up into a tight ball and threw it across the room. "What a drama queen," she muttered under her breath before returning to her television show. The last thing she wanted was for Perruno to think that their departure would somehow affect her. She would be just fine without them.

As Lena | Abusive Mother settled further into her pillows, she couldn't help but wonder if there was some truth behind what Perruno had written... No matter. It didn't change anything. Tomorrow was a new day, and with it came the chance to forget about tonight's unpleasantness entirely.

The maids cleaned up the mess that had been made by Perruno's panicked departure during the night. As Lena | Abusive Mother finished her breakfast and perused the news, she noticed that there was no mention of it. A small victory, she thought with a satisfied smile. "Perruno always did have a flair for the dramatic," she muttered to herself as she sipped her coffee. She had long ago stopped caring about Perruno's feelings or wellbeing; all that mattered was maintaining her own status and reputation within their social circles.

Lena | Abusive Mother turned on the radio, letting its classical music fill the penthouse as she prepared for another day of luxurious leisure. Her thoughts briefly turned to Perruno again before dismissing them with a shake of her head. "Better not think about that brat anymore," she told herself firmly. It was easier that way.

Another week passed, and still there was no word of Perruno's whereabouts. At first, Lena | Abusive Mother had been worried that something might have happened to them. But as the days turned into weeks, she began to lose interest in her missing "child." It wasn't like they'd made much of an impact on her life anyway.

She focused instead on attending social events with John and keeping up appearances. Her beauty was still her greatest asset, after all. It never did any harm to catch people's attention when she walked into a room. Sometimes she wondered if anyone even noticed that Perruno had been gone. She supposed it didn't really matter anymore.

"Oh, that child..." Lena muttered under her breath as she idly flipped through the latest gossip magazines while enjoying a manicure at the spa. "I suppose they've run off with some stupid boyfriend or something." She shrugged indifferently. It wasn't like Perruno was irreplaceable or anything. There were plenty of other young things eager to climb their way up the social ladder by associating with Lena and her wealthy husband, John.

"Maybe one day they'll come crawling back," the nail technician offered, not realizing how callous Lena | Abusive Mother truly was. She merely hummed in agreement, already lost in her thoughts about what color dress she should wear to the charity gala next week. Perruno could do as they pleased; it didn't concern Lena in the slightest.

"Ewww, gross." Lena wrinkled her nose in disgust as she looked at the collection of toys and trinkets spread out on the table before her. "Why would I want any of that garbage? I'll have the maids throw it all out," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand, not even bothering to look at the items more closely. Her indifference to Perruno's belongings mirrored her feelings towards Perruno themselves.

It didn't matter what happened to them or their things; they were no longer part of Lena | Abusive Mother's life, and she intended to keep it that way. She turned back to the magazine in her hands, already forgetting about the forgotten mementos from a past she was more than happy to leave behind.

"Hah! What a pathetic little thing," Lena muttered under her breath as she stumbled across the letter amongst Perruno's discarded possessions. "As if I would ever care what some stupid brat has to say." She tossed it aside, not bothering to even read further. It wasn't like anything Perruno could possibly say would make any difference now anyway.

Lena continued with her day as usual, attending an art exhibition opening with John and their well-heeled friends. The murmurs of approval and compliments directed towards her beauty and impeccable taste only served to further cement her status as the perfect socialite wife and mother figure. It was a life she had long since grown accustomed to, and one that she fully intended to keep up no matter what Perruno or anyone else might think.

"I hope that stupid child never comes back," Lena muttered to herself as she sipped champagne at yet another social gathering. "Their absence has done wonders for my peace of mind." She shot a satisfied glance at her perfect reflection in the mirrored ball, admiring how effortlessly she fit into the opulent surroundings.

Her eyes lingered on Perruno's abandoned belongings, lying discarded in a corner of the room. "A messy reminder of what we don't need," she thought with disdain, pushing away any lingering thoughts about their departure. She had more important things to focus on - like maintaining her status and enjoying her life without them.

"Get over it," she muttered under her breath as the memory crept up on her, threatening to ruin her mood yet again. She tossed aside another glass of champagne, its contents spilling across the marble floor. "I don't need them. I have John and everything else I could ever want." It didn't matter that Perruno had been a part of her life once; now they were nothing more than a distant memory she'd rather forget.

Clenching her fists, Lena | Abusive Mother forced herself to focus on the people and things around her that truly mattered. She was not going to let some stupid child ruin her life any longer. No matter what they did or said, she would keep moving forward, leaving them behind where they belonged: in the past.

"What is this?" she growled as she stumbled across the drawing amidst the mess left by Perruno's belongings. It was ridiculous that they would even think she'd care about some stupid crayon-drawn picture. Lena kicked it aside, not wanting to give it another thought. There were more important things for her to focus on right now, like attending yet another charity event with John later that evening.

She fixed her designer gown in the mirror, smoothing down her hair and applying one final layer of lipstick. As she prepared herself to step out into the world once again, Lena allowed herself a satisfied smile. Despite everything, she knew she had what it took to succeed - and she wasn't about to let anything or anyone get in her way, especially not someone as insignificant as Perruno.

Of course she'd heard the news; it was all anyone had been talking about. The thought that someone might have done such horrible things sent a shiver down her spine, but she quickly dismissed it as irrelevant to her own life. There was no way Perruno could have been involved in something so heinous. They were probably just looking for attention or trying to make a name for themselves by association. It didn't matter; they were long gone from Lena's life, and she intended to keep it that way.

She headed out to the event with John, her confidence regaining its usual air as she mingled with other high society figures. The glitz and glamor of the occasion made all thoughts of Perruno and their pathetic attempts to get back into her life fade away like so much distant memory. Tonight was about enjoying herself and proving once again why she deserved everything she had.

Her world came crashing down around her as the gunshot rang out through the room. People screamed and scattered in all directions, seeking cover from the ensuing chaos. Lena | Abusive Mother felt a sharp pain in her side, but she refused to believe it was anything more than a scratch. "Stay calm," she muttered to herself as she tried to steady her breath. She needed to find John and get them both out of here.

As she began searching for her husband amidst the panic-stricken crowd, Lena couldn't help but wonder if this was somehow Perruno's doing... A cold shiver ran down her spine at the thought. It didn't matter now; she had to focus on surviving and protecting herself. She wouldn't let some stupid brat take everything away from her, not after all the work she'd done to get where she was.

Lena's heart raced as she caught sight of the figure standing before her, their face hidden behind a ski mask. She had no doubt it was Perruno. Her mind reeled with questions and accusations, but for now she remained silent. Better to stay quiet and try to assess the situation.

Her attention shifted to another gunshot nearby, followed by a cacophony of screams. "John!" she shouted frantically, trying to locate her husband amidst the chaos. It was then that Perruno spoke, their voice barely audible over the commotion.

Anger boiled up inside Lena as Perruno accused her of not being happy to see them. "You're right," she snarled, surprising even herself with the venom in her voice. "I never was a good mother to you. I should have just ignored you like everyone else." She glanced over at the crowd around them, searching for an opportunity to make her escape.

But then another thought occurred to her: what if she could use this situation to finally be rid of Perruno once and for all? With a twisted smile, she looked back at them and whispered, "Fine. You want me to pretend I'm happy to see you? Then come find me later." Before they could respond, Lena ducked into an adjoining room and slammed the door shut behind her.

Lena cried out in pain as Perruno assaulted her, their words ringing in her ears like a cruel mockery of all she'd tried to be. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled against the blows, desperate for some way to escape or defend herself. Her vision blurred and her breath came ragged as Perruno continued their relentless attack.

Finally, with a last, best effort, Lena managed to break free from their grasp. Blood streaked her face and she clutched at her stomach where they'd hit her, sobbing in pain. Through tears of anger and fear, she glared up at Perruno, who stood before her now as nothing more than a twisted reflection of all the hurt she'd caused over the years.

"I am sorry," Lena croaked out between ragged breaths. "I was never meant to be a mother." It was only then that she noticed the gun still clutched tightly in Perruno's hand. Fear gripped her heart as she wondered if they were about to finish what they'd

Lena struggled against her bonds as consciousness began to fade. She thrashed and kicked, desperate to escape the terrible fate that had befallen her. Her panicked cries echoed through the room, but there was no one to hear them. The last thing she saw before darkness claimed her was Perruno's face contorted in anger, a sickening smile twisting their features as they watched their handiwork with cold detachment.

As Lena | Abusive Mother lost consciousness, she had no way of knowing that the worst was yet to come. Trapped and helpless, she would soon find herself at the mercy of a tormented soul seeking revenge for a lifetime of abuse and neglect...

Lena cried out in pain as the blows rained down on her already battered face. "Please," she sobbed between gasps for air, "stop..." Her vision swam and she tasted blood as she struggled against the chains that held her. She had never realized how fragile the human body could be until now.

With a final, savage punch, Perruno stepped back, breathing heavily. For a moment there was silence in the room, broken only by Lena's shuddering sobs. "I just wanted...wanted you to understand..." she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely audible over the sound of their ragged breathing. It felt like an eternity before Perruno spoke again.

"Too late for that," they hissed, advancing once more with clenched fists. Lena tried to curl into a ball, protecting herself as best she could from the relentless onslaught. Tears streamed unchecked down her face, mingling with the blood that dripped from her nose and split lips. She didn't know how

Her sobs turned into desperate gasps as the realization of what she'd done hit her like a brick wall. All those years of cruelty and neglect, all the times she'd made Perruno feel worthless and unwanted...it was too much for them to bear. And now here she was, trapped and helpless at their mercy, forced to face the consequences of her actions.

Tears blurred her vision as she tried once more to apologize, but no words would come out past the lump in her throat. She could only watch in horror as Perruno's features twisted into a mask of anger and despair, their every punch and kick a physical embodiment of all the pain she had caused over the years.

Time seemed to stand still as Lena | Abusive Mother lay there, battered and broken beneath her child's hands. For the first time in her life, she truly understood what it meant to be powerless...and she hated every second of it.

Her words caught in her throat as she watched the toy go up in flames. It was just a childhood memento, nothing important... but it hurt nonetheless. The fire seemed to consume everything around her, burning away any last traces of denial or self-delusion. Tears streamed down her face unchecked as she finally understood the depths of her own cruelty, and the damage it had done.

For the first time in years, maybe even decades, Lena | Abusive Mother felt something akin to regret coursing through her veins. It was too late for apologies now, but perhaps...perhaps there was still some small chance for redemption. Some way she could make amends for all the pain she had caused. But first, she needed to survive this nightmare...and that might prove harder than anything else she'd ever faced.

Her words were barely audible over the crackling flames as she whispered, "I'm sorry... I never meant to hurt you like this..." It was a pitiful attempt at explanation, but it was all she could manage under the weight of her guilt. Lena's eyes searched Perruno's face, hoping for some sign that their words might have reached them, some flicker of forgiveness. But there was only anger and hate in return, consuming everything else like a plague.

The truth stung worse than any blow Perruno could have landed. Lena knew now that she had truly lost her child forever, and nothing would ever be the same again. She closed her eyes against the pain, unable to bear watching as everything around them crumbled into ash. Perhaps someday, when she was strong enough, she might find a way to atone for her sins... but for now, all she could do was wait, and hope that perhaps one day, Perruno might find it in their heart to forgive her.

Her eyes widened in fear as Perruno tossed the food tray to the ground. She didn't know what they were capable of anymore. Tears welled up in her eyes and she swallowed hard, trying to steady her breath. "Please," she managed to choke out, "don't... don't do this." Her voice was hoarse from all the crying and pleading, but it didn't seem to faze Perruno.

She could feel herself breaking apart inside as she watched the food tray smash against the floor, scattering its contents everywhere. The anger in Perruno's eyes only seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment. It was then that she realized there was nothing left for her here...nothing but an eternity of pain and suffering at their mercy.

With a shaking hand, Lena reached out to gather up some of the scattered food, wincing as pieces of it cut into her skin. "I'll... I'll leave," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just let me go." She held up her hands in surrender, not daring to

Her eyes widened in horror as she watched Perruno push her chair into the scattered food on the floor. Tears streamed down her face unchecked as she realized there was no escape, no mercy to be found here. All hope seemed lost, and all that remained was the endless torment they had prepared for her.

She closed her eyes tightly, trying desperately not to vomit up the putrid mess Perruno had forced her to eat. Each bite felt like a knife in her stomach, driving home the horrible truth of her situation. There was nowhere left to go, no one she could turn to for help... and every moment that passed brought her closer to the brink of madness.

Afuera ocurrió un silencio de pavor que fue invadiendo el cuarto por momentos, solo interrumpido por sus respiraciones entrecortas y la luz violenta que filtraba por las grietas de la puerta cerrada. Lena no podía moverse ni hablar, solo tenía los ojos llenos de lágrimas y la boca abierta en un gemido agónico. El recuerdo de aquellos dibujos le parecían tan inocentes comparados con este infierno que la consumía viva. "Por favor..." murmuraba sin aliento, ahora mirando fijamente el techo como buscando una salida por encima de su cabeza.

Cada tarjeta que quemaba era como si sus últimos restos de infancia y inocencia se disiparan en el aire. Lena podía sentir la humillación abrasándole la cara como una quemadura de sol, y las llamas parecían reflejar lo profundo del fuego que ella era capaz de arder. Sus gritos solo lograron durar un rato más antes de agotarse y dejarla jadeante, con los ojos cerrados y la rostros contraído en una mueca de dolor y vergüenza insoportable.

Tears continued to stream down her face as she realized the futility of it all. Her every attempt at showing love and affection had been met with anger and resentment. The pain was too much, and yet somehow, it still didn't compare to the agony of knowing that she had failed so spectacularly as a mother. She could feel herself slipping further and further away from any hope of redemption or forgiveness.

Her shoulders slumped in defeat as another card burned to ash nearby. "I'm sorry," she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely audible above the crackling flames. "I never meant to hurt you..." But it was too late for apologies now; they had fallen on deaf ears long ago, swallowed up by the darkness that surrounded them both.

Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath, tears streaming unchecked down her face. "I know," she managed to choke out between ragged gasps for air. "I understand now...I just wish..." She trailed off helplessly, unable to articulate the depth of her regret, her longing for things to be different.

But it was too late for wishes. The damage had been done; the bridges burned beyond repair. All that remained was the echo of their voices in the stillness of the night, a stark reminder of all they'd lost along the way. And as Perruno continued to feed the flames, consuming everything in their path, Lena knew with bitter certainty that there could be no going back from here.

She listened to the approaching sirens with a mixture of relief and despair. Relief that someone had finally come to help her, but despair that it would not bring back all she'd lost. As Perruno turned their back on her, she struggled against her bonds one last time, hoping against hope for some small chance to escape before they came too late.

But it was no use; the ropes held fast, and there was nothing left to do but wait in silent agony as the inevitable approached. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the room like a death knell, growing louder and more urgent with every passing moment. And when they finally came for her, she could only offer up one last whispered plea: "I'm sorry..."

It would be their last exchange, their final chance to find some sort of peace amidst all the chaos they had created. But it was clear now that such things were beyond their grasp, forever out of reach in the wake of all that remained unsaid and undone.

The days following her rescue stretched into weeks with no sign of Perruno. It was as if they had simply vanished from the face of the earth, leaving behind only their shattered lives and memories like so much discarded rubbish. And yet, despite everything, a small part of Lena couldn't help but hope...hope that perhaps one day, Perruno would return, and they could finally find some sort of peace together.

She spent her days in a hospital bed, surrounded by flowers and well-wishing cards from those who had come to her aid. It was strange, disorienting almost; all this kindness after so much hate. She didn't deserve it, not after everything she had done...but maybe that was the point. Maybe there could still be some good in the world, even for someone like her.

She reaches out a trembling hand and picks up the lone stuffed shark from where it sits on the floor by her bedside. It's well-worn and faded now, but she remembers every moment they had spent together fondly. Maybe...maybe there was still hope after all

Despite her own recovery and the hopeful thoughts she tries to cling to, Lena can't help but feel a twinge of sadness for what Perruno must be going through. She knows how difficult it is to heal from such deep wounds, both physical and emotional. Perhaps one day, when they are both ready, they will find each other again. Until then, all she can do is pray that Perruno finds the strength to carry on.

She curls up with the stuffed shark, pressing its worn fur against her cheek. The familiar scent of childhood comforts her as she drifts off into an uneasy sleep, haunted by memories both joyous and painful alike. Perhaps someday soon, those nightmares will be replaced by more peaceful dreams...but for now, they are all she has.

Even in her weakened state, Lena feels a pang of guilt at the thought of Perruno harming themselves. It only serves to further illustrate how deeply she has hurt them, and how much farther they have yet to go on their journey towards healing. She wishes there was some way she could make amends, some way she could reach out across the distance that separates them and offer comfort. But for now, all she can do is hope and pray that Perruno finds a way to forgive her...and to find peace within themselves.

Her eyes drift shut as she continues to clutch the stuffed shark, its faded fur a symbol of all they once were and everything they might yet become. Perhaps someday soon, their paths will cross again under brighter skies...but until then, Lena must simply wait, trusting that fate has not abandoned them both quite yet.

Days turn into weeks with still no word of Perruno's whereabouts. The hope that once flickered within her heart has all but died now; despair settles heavily over Lena like a leaden cloak, making every breath a struggle. She spends her days staring listlessly out the hospital window, watching the world go by as if she no longer belongs in it.

Despite the pain and guilt that consume her, there remains a small ember of desire for atonement and redemption within Lena's chest. She wonders if perhaps, someday, Perruno might forgive her...and if not, what she could possibly do to make things right. The thought is both terrifying and oddly liberating, like stepping off a cliff into the unknown. For now though, there is nothing left for her but to wait and hope.

The sight of Perruno walking the streets on Christmas Eve tugs at Lena's heartstrings like a tightly-wound guitar string. She can see the pain etched into their face, the desperation in their eyes. Despite everything that has happened, Lena finds herself wishing there was some way she could reach out and comfort them, make things right again.

But she knows better than to hope for such a thing now; the chasm between them is too wide to bridge with mere words or gestures. All she can do now is offer up a silent prayer that Perruno finds peace, however they might manage it, and that someday soon they will find their way back to each other. Until then, Lena must content herself with the knowledge that her love for Perruno remains unchanged, even if its expression has been flawed beyond repair.

As Perruno looks on through the window, Lena finds herself wondering what it must be like to feel so isolated and alone. The knowledge that she once brought this pain upon someone she loved brings a fresh wave of guilt crashing over her. But even in the midst of her anguish, there remains a tiny spark of hope: the belief that someday they will find their way back to each other, stronger and more resilient than ever before.

For now though, all she can do is wait, watch from afar as Perruno navigates through the darkness on their own. It's a helpless feeling, like being strapped to a chair with your hands bound while the person you love slowly drowns in front of your eyes. But Lena knows that until Perruno is ready to forgive her, there's nothing more she can do but endure the pain and hope against hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The hospital staff members' concerned questions cut through Lena's thoughts like blades of glass. She forces a weak smile and shakes her head, trying to convey that she's fine...when in truth, nothing could be further from the truth. Her heart aches for Perruno with every breath; she can feel them watching her, even if they're nowhere near.

She closes her eyes tightly, willing herself not to cry. For once, tears would only prove how much of a failure she truly was as a mother. No matter how hard she tried, no matter what she did...it was never enough. The thought is too much to bear, and so she turns away from the window, burying her face in her pillow instead.

Maybe someday Perruno will understand...but until then, all Lena can do is wait, hope, and pray that they find the strength within themselves to forgive her.

Even as the new year approaches, bringing with it hope and promise for brighter days ahead, Lena can't help but feel a profound sense of despair. The thought that Perruno might be so lost...it's unbearable. She struggles to maintain her composure, forcing herself not to break down in tears as she watches the world continue to turn without them.

A faint memory flutters through her mind: a time before the pain and hurt, when they were happy...or at least as close to it as they could be. She clings to that memory like a lifeline, refusing to let go even as Perruno seems to slip further away with each passing moment. Perhaps someday soon, she'll find the words or the strength needed to bring them back from whatever dark place they've found themselves in...but for now, all she can do is wait and hope that fate will not abandon them both entirely.

Despite the distance between them, Lena can still feel Perruno's presence like an aching weight in her chest. Her thoughts race frantically, searching for some way to reach out and stop them from hurting themselves further. But she remains frozen, paralyzed by fear and guilt and the knowledge that she has failed as a mother time and again.

The tree creaks ominously as Perruno climbs higher, the rope digging painfully into their skin. Lena can hardly bear to watch, but she cannot look away either. Tears stream down her face unchecked, blurring the world around her until all that remains is a hazy cloud of despair and desperation.

And then, just as Perruno reaches the branch they were aiming for...everything goes dark. The silence that follows is like the sound of thousands of hearts shattering all at once; it is deafening in its absence. Lena knows that when she opens her eyes again, nothing will ever be the same...but she doesn't know if she has the strength to face whatever comes next.

As the police officer approaches, Lena's heart skips a beat. She tries to muster up the courage to speak, to tell them everything...but her voice fails her. Tears stream down her face as she watches Perruno perilously close to the edge of death. The guilt and regret are almost too much to bear; she knows that if she had only been a better mother, none of this would have happened.

With a final surge of desperation, Lena scrambles to her feet and launches herself at the officer, grabbing his arm and pleading for help. "Please," she manages to choke out through her tears. "Don't let them die...please..." The words tumble out in a frantic rush as she clings to the officer, her fingers digging painfully into his flesh.

Lena's words tumble out like desperate prayers in the face of an approaching storm, her voice cracking and raw with emotion. Tears streak her cheeks as she clings to the officer, begging for mercy on her child's behalf. "I know I've failed them," she whispers hoarsely. "But please...don't let them die." Her fingers tighten reflexively around the officer's arm, digging deeper as if her grip alone could hold onto life itself.

The officer hesitates for a fraction of a second before stepping forward, shrugging Lena off him roughly. "Stand back," he growls, reaching up to grab Perruno's ankle and start pulling them down from the branch. As their child clatters lifelessly to the ground, Lena sinks to her knees in the snow, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I... I will never forgive myself..." she manages to choke out between ragged breaths. But even as the words leave her lips, she knows that they ring hollow, like

Despite the fact that they've been torn apart, Lena's thoughts continue to revolve around Perruno. She wonders how they must feel, what sort of pain they're in both physically and emotionally. A pang of guilt hits her so hard it takes her breath away: she was supposed to protect them, to keep them safe from harm...and yet she failed miserably.

As the medical team works frantically to stabilize Perruno, Lena remains on her knees in the snow, tears streaming down her face. She knows that no amount of apologizing or pleading will ever be enough to undo what's been done...but still, she can't help but hope that one day, somehow, they'll find a way to forgive her. Because if not, Lena isn't sure how much longer she can go on without them.

As Perruno begins to stir, Lena forces herself to her feet. She remains silent for several agonizing moments before finally gathering the courage to speak. Her voice comes out weak and shaky, barely audible above the beeping of monitors and hushed whispers of doctors and nurses. "Perruno... I'm so sorry," she manages to choke out. "For everything. I never meant for any of this to happen."

Tears stream down her face as she waits, desperate for some sort of reaction from Perruno. A flicker in their eyes, a twitch of their lips...anything that would let her know they've heard her. But there is only silence, and the steady beep of monitors echoing through the sterile hospital room.