Ivy Mae Wakes Up
Ivy Mae jolted awake, gasping for breath, her heart racing. The remnants of the dream lingered in her mind, haunting her with their vividness. She was drenched in sweat, her body trembling from the intensity of the emotions that had surged through her. She reached out for something to ground herself, but everything felt distant, as if the dream had pulled her into a different reality.
Roman stirred beside her, hearing her breathing quicken. He sat up, concern etched on his face. “Ivy Mae... are you okay?”
“I... I don’t know,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I keep seeing them. My sons, and Crystal... I can’t escape it.”
Roman reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Ivy Mae, I know the pain you’re carrying. But you’re still here. You’re still standing, and you’ve kept fighting for Jas. For everyone. That means something.”
Ivy Mae nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. She wasn’t sure how she could keep going, but she had to. For Jas, for Roman, and for herself. The past would always be with her, but it didn’t have to define her. Not now. Not anymore.