NOVEL WEB Chapter 1: Welcome home
As Beatrice stepped out of the mansion, the bright sunlight was a stark contrast to the darkness she had been living in. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of liberation wash over her as she hailed a taxi. The driver, a kind-eyed old man, helped her load her bags into the trunk before she slid into the backseat.
As the taxi pulled away from the mansion, Beatrice closed her eyes, her fingers trembling as she dialed a number she hadn't called in a long time. The phone rang several times before a warm, familiar voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Dad," Beatrice whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.
"Beatrice, sweetie, where have you been? I've been worried sick about you."
Beatrice felt a sob rise up in her throat as she heard the concern in her father's voice. "I'm coming home, Dad," she said, her words barely audible.
There was a pause on the other end of the line before her father spoke up again. "What happened, Beatrice? Why are you coming home after all this time?"
Beatrice hesitated, unsure of how to explain the hell she had endured. She didn't want to burden her father with the truth, not yet. "There's no reason for me to stay anymore, Dad," she said finally. "I just need to come home."
Her father's voice was filled with understanding and compassion. "Okay, sweetie. You come home and we'll figure everything out together. I'll be here waiting for you."
As Beatrice hung up the phone, she closed her eyes softly, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew she still had a long way to go, but for the first time in months, she felt like she might actually be okay.
The taxi driver's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Miss, we're getting close to the station. Where would you like me to drop you off?"
Beatrice opened her eyes, taking a deep breath as she prepared to start her new journey. "The train station, please," she said, her voice a little stronger now. "I'm going home."
As Beatrice sat in the train, she couldn't help but think of her family. She was the first daughter of her parents, and she had five siblings. Her older brother, Michael, was abroad, working as an engineer. He was 31 and still unmarried, much to their parents' dismay.
Beatrice smiled as she thought of her younger sisters. There was Darana, the 24-year-old doctor who was always so confident and self-assured. Then there were the twins, Perach and Stephanie, nicknamed Phanie. They were 19 years old and polar opposites. Perach was a tomboy who loved sports and hiking, while Phanie was a beauty queen who loved pageants and fashion.
And then there was Tim, the baby of the family. He was 16 years old and always getting into mischief. Beatrice chuckled as she remembered the time Tim had accidentally set off the fire alarm in the house.
Despite not being wealthy, the family had always been happy. Their father owned a large house and several other properties in the neighborhood, which he rented out to tenants. The family lived together in the big house, and it was always filled with laughter and love.
But everything changed when Beatrice got married. She hardly visited her family anymore, and when she did, it was always with Shawn. Her family had never really warmed up to Shawn, and Beatrice realized now that they had been right to be wary.
As the taxi drove on, Beatrice felt a pang of regret for neglecting her family. She had been so caught up in her marriage and trying to make it work that she had forgotten about the people who truly loved her.
"I'm coming home, family," Beatrice whispered to herself, a smile spreading across her face. "I'm coming home."
The taxi driver's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Miss, we're getting close to the station. Where would you like me to drop you off?"
Beatrice opened her eyes, taking a deep breath as she prepared to start her new journey. "The next stop pls," she said, her voice filled with determination. "I'm....home."
As Beatrice stepped out of the taxi and onto the familiar driveway of her childhood home, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was wearing a long, flowery gown that seemed to swallow her fragile frame, and her eyes looked sunken and weary. But despite her weak appearance, a small smile played on her lips as she saw her family waiting for her.
Her father, a stout man with a kind face and a thick head of gray hair, was the first to reach her. He swept her into a tight embrace, his eyes welling up with tears as he whispered, "My baby's home." He sobbed softly, his broad shoulders shaking with emotion, as Beatrice wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.
Perach and Phanie were bubbling with excitement, their identical faces alight with joy. They were dressed in matching outfits, but their hair colors were different - Perach's was a rich, dark brown, while Phanie's was a vibrant, honey-blonde. Perach, the tomboy, had a sprinkle of freckles across her nose and a mischievous glint in her eye, while Phanie, the beauty queen, had a flawless complexion and a radiant smile. They both flung their arms around Beatrice, hugging her tightly and exclaiming, "We've missed you so much!"
Tim, baby of the family, was practically bouncing with excitement, his bright blue eyes shining with enthusiasm. He was a lanky, awkward teenager, with a messy mop of curly brown hair and a wide, goofy grin. He threw his arms around Beatrice's waist, holding her tightly and saying, "I've missed you, sis! Welcome home!"
Darana, was noticeably absent, but Beatrice knew she would be home soon, and she couldn't wait to see her.
As the family hugged and cried together, Beatrice felt a sense of peace wash over her. She was home, and she was safe. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but with her family by her side, she felt like she could face anything.