CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY – A SHADOW OF THE PAST

Rebecca hesitated, her hand still gripping the doorknob tightly. Part of her wanted to slam the door shut, to retreat back into the safety of her new home and pretend this encounter had never happened. But another part, a part she had thought long buried, yearned to reconnect with her sister, to understand what had happened in the years since she had left. "I... I don't know if that's a good idea," Rebecca said, her voice wavering. "It's been a long time, Nancy. A lot has changed." Nancy's face fell, but she nodded in understanding. "I know. And I know we have a lot to explain. But Rebecca, please... we're family. Can't we at least try to talk?" Rebecca felt torn. The memory of her last days in her family's home, the arguments, the disappointment, the feeling of suffocation – it all came rushing back. But as she looked at Nancy, she saw something in her sister's eyes that gave her pause. Was it regret? Hope? Understanding? Before Rebecca could respond, she heard the ding of the ele