Chapter 3: A Haven by the Coast
Four hundred miles south, in a small coastal town called Cedar Cove, sat a modest two-bedroom cottage that belonged to Maya’s late aunt. It had been empty for two years, smelling faintly of salt air and old pine.
They arrived at dusk. The sound of distant ocean waves greeted them as Maya unlocked the creaky front door. Inside, sheet-covered furniture stood like quiet guardians in the dim light.
""It’s dusty,"" Lily observed, pulling her hood a little tighter around her ears.
""It’s a fresh start,"" Maya corrected gently, kneeling in front of her. She reached out and softly pulled back the hood. Lily flinched slightly, but Maya’s touch was tender. ""You are beautiful, Lily. With hair or without it. Never hide who you are.""
May you like
Lily touched her own head, the raw scratches slowly healing. She looked at her mother’s steady eyes and nodded once, a small spark of trust returning to her gaze.
Together, they pulled the sheets off the couch, made up the bed with fresh linens from the trunk, and fell asleep to the rhythmic breathing of the sea.
