LIKE MY FATHER

GINGER: My heart thumps in my chest as the taxi comes to a halt in front of the house. I take a deep breath before getting out of the car, then slowly make my way to the front door. Just as my hand reaches for the handle, my mother pulls the door open, her brows wrinkled. "Hey, Ginger's back!" she announces before I can say a word. I swallow hard as I hear Caspian's voice in the background. My mother shifts to the side, allowing me to step inside while keeping her eyes on me, making it clear I'm in trouble. The moment I walk in, I spot Caspian by the living room door. "Hey," he says in a low tone, cupping my face. I look into his eyes, trying to convince myself he deserves what he got for the way he treated me. "Are you okay?" "Yes, Ginger, are you okay?" my mother asks, her tone laced with anger, making me grab Caspian's hand as I lead him toward the stairs. "Let me grab my backpack," he says, stopping me halfway. As he walks to the couch to pick it up, I stare at my mother, who has h