Chapter51: The Breaking Point

Chapter 51: The Breaking Point LUMINA The room began to spin all over me as I watched Silvia lead Sophia and Riley through the penthouse like they were best of friends.  The sound of her constant praise for Riley, the way she kept touching Sophia's arm familiarly showing love and acceptance– it was everything she'd never given me in six years of marriage to her son. My chest felt like it was being tight all of a sudden, each breath becoming more difficult as the reality of the situation dawned on me.  This wasn't just a surprise invitation. This was a deliberate humiliation planned by Silvia who wanted to show me exactly where I stood in this family. And it was at the very bottom, apparently. The voices around me became muffled, distant, as if I were hearing them from underwater as I began to sway from left to right.  My vision became blurry and I felt a familiar panic rising in my throat.. I needed air. I needed space. I needed to get away from the sound of Silvia's happy laughter as