Chapter 28
Corine
I woke up to the soft rustle of the curtains in my room. Light spilled in, warm and golden, the kind that didn’t feel invasive, but welcoming. It was the kind of morning I hadn’t had in years—the kind that promised freedom.
Today, I was going home.
A year ago, that would’ve seemed impossible.
I was fractured, drowning, trapped in the walls of my own mind.
But now, after months of therapy, breakdowns, healing, and learning how to live again, I was ready.
I wasn’t fixed—because healing doesn’t mean you’re perfect. But I was whole enough to start again.
Doctor Bennett came by yesterday and said, “You’ve done exceptionally well, Corinne. Your psychosis is under control, and you’re stable. Of course, therapy continues at home, but I trust you. You’re ready.”
I still replayed those words in my mind like a lullaby.
I sat up slowly, breathing in the scent of sterile cleanliness and faint lavender.
My things were packed in a small suitcase by the bed.
My eyes fell on the photo taped to the wall—Kyle grinning, his gap-toothed smile lighting up the frame, and Astrid in my mother’s arms.
Her chubby cheeks had grown in the past year, and I missed every inch of her growth.
But I was there for her first birthday. In the courtyard, with makeshift balloons, a paper crown, and Tate making balloon animals with all the wrong shapes.
I let out a soft laugh at the memory.
Kyle’s fifth birthday had been louder, rowdier. He’d insisted on a dinosaur theme, and Sylvia painted all our faces while Brittany, despite her own battles, helped bake a cake. It had collapsed in the middle, but he loved it. I held onto those moments like a rosary, counting them on nights I couldn’t sleep.
My door creaked open.
"Hey," Brittany said, her head peeking in. Her frame was still slim, but healthier now. She had color in her cheeks again. Her oversized hoodie swallowed her as usual, sleeves covering her hands. She shuffled in, clutching her plush unicorn—Whimsy—under her arm.
I smiled. "Morning, Brit."
"You're leaving," she said, frowning slightly.
I nodded. "Yeah... it's time."
"I’m going to miss you."
I stood and pulled her into a hug. She clung to me tightly, resting her head on my shoulder like a child. "You’re my best friend, Corinne. For real."
"You’re mine too, Brit," I whispered. "You really are."
She pulled back slightly, eyes shimmering. "You’re gonna come back and visit, right? I mean... I know it’s a hospital, but it’s our hospital."
"Every week if I can," I promised. "And when you get out next month, we’re getting waffles. Like the real, greasy, syrup-drenched kind."
Her smile was small but genuine. "With strawberries."
"Obviously."
Behind her, Tate and Sylvia walked in. Sylvia was wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. Tate, ever the stoic one, tried to act like he wasn’t about to cry.
"Well," Tate said, clearing his throat, "I guess this is it."
"Tate," I stepped forward, hugging him tightly. "You’ve saved me more times than I can count."
"That’s what friends are for," he muttered, voice gruff.
Sylvia hugged me next, a long, tight embrace. "You taught me how to forgive myself. You gave me something to believe in, Corinne. Thank you."
My heart cracked. "You all saved me too. Each of you."
We all stood there in the middle of my room, holding on to each other like the pieces of ourselves we never thought we’d get back. Then Brittany stepped forward, hand in mine.
"You have to ring the bell."
We walked together to the main hallway. The staff lined the sides, smiling, some already teary. That damn brass bell hung on the wall, shining like a beacon.
I stared at it for a long moment.
And then I rang it.
The sound was loud and clear, echoing through the hall. My hand trembled after. I turned to see Brittany clapping, a wide, childish grin on her face.
“You did it!” she beamed.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Yeah... I did."
The entrance of the facility was quieter than I expected. The sun was high, and there was a light breeze. I stepped outside, my heart pounding in my chest.
Then I saw them.
Kyle was running toward me, his little legs pumping as fast as they could go. “Mommy!” he screamed, launching into my arms.
I caught him, holding him close as I wept into his hair.
“Oh, baby. I missed you so much. So, so much.”
“I missed you too, Mommy,” he sniffled. “Are you better now?”
I nodded, choking back a sob. “I’m getting there. And I’m never leaving you again."
Astrid was in my mother’s arms, reaching out. My mom approached slowly, tears in her eyes.
“She’s been saying ‘mama’ all morning,” she said softly.
I took Astrid, holding her tightly. She babbled, pressing her face to my neck.
“I love you, my baby girl,” I whispered.
My mother hugged me next. “I’m proud of you, Corinne. So proud. You fought like hell, and you made it.”
I clung to her. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“Never,” she said firmly. “Never, ever. Now let’s go home.”
As we walked toward the car, I looked back one last time. Brittany stood at the window, waving with Whimsy in her hand. I pressed my fingers to my lips and blew her a kiss.
She caught it with a giggle.
And just like that, I stepped into the sunlight.
Free.