Chapter 45

　　Serena 　　I noticed the surprised expression on Tori's face when she saw me. Her eyes grew wide, and she stammered, "What are you doing here?" 　　As I stood before her, I couldn't resist responding with sarcasm. "Oh, come on, sister. Don't you miss me?" My voice carried the bitterness of old wounds that festered as I faced one of those people who had caused them. 　　The room seemed to mirror Tori's restlessness that evening. The soft, dimmed lights cast long shadows on the walls, and the air felt heavy with tension. Unspoken accusations lingered in the atmosphere as memories of our shared history loomed over us. Tori fidgeted from where she was standing, her fingers moving involuntarily – the same fingers that had once caused me so much pain. 　　All the pain from their abuse played inside my mind like a broken record. Every insult, beating, and the disgust I had earned from them made my eyes glisten with tears. But I stopped myself from crying. I would never give Tori the satisfaction of