Chapter 3 The Weight of Secrets

Elara had learned early on how to carry the weight of secrets, though they weren't hers to bear. The abuse she endured was hidden behind a carefully crafted mask - one that she wore to survive. Each day, she lived in the shadows, pretending to be just like everyone else, but inside, she was crumbling. The bruises on her body were covered, the tears were hidden, and the fear was buried deep within her chest. It was all so heavy, yet she kept quiet because she was told to. Every secret she held was a weight on her shoulders, growing heavier with each passing day.

Her mother's violence, her uncle's twisted actions, and the shame of it all consumed her. She wasn't allowed to talk, to ask for help, to show weakness. And so, she carried the burden, convinced that if anyone found out, it would destroy what was left of her family. But the more she kept these secrets locked away, the more they ate at her. The darkness in her mind began to suffocate her, leaving her with only one choice: to break the silence.

But the fear of what would happen next paralyzed her. If she spoke, would the world crumble? Could she still be loved? Elara felt the crushing weight of her silence, and though she didn't know how, she knew something had to change. Her only hope was finding the courage to speak, to release the burden that was suffocating her from the inside out.