feeding her stories of illness and desperation, all to please Melissa. Heartbroken and betrayed, Rachel left, leaving behind the illusion of family.Weeks later, her parents came to apologize,

admitting they’d tried to fix the past and had broken her instead. Rachel didn’t forgive them, but she chose to rebuild—setting boundaries and healing on her terms.Melissa went back to her adoptive family. Rachel stayed, learning that healing isn’t about revenge, but about staying open to love, even when it’s cracked. She carried both the scars of survival and the wisdom to never repeat the past.