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Chapter 6 Present for her

Returning to her childhood home after three long years filled Sylvia with complicated emotions. She had assumed this door closed to her forever when she left. How naive and laughable her younger self seemed now. Hovering uncertainly on the doorstep, Sylvia wondered if she should just turn back around. Before she could make up her mind, someone shoved her forcefully from behind right through the entrance. “What are you waiting for? Do you know we’ve been waiting three years for you to come back? If Uncle hadn’t stopped me, I would have dragged you home long ago myself!” Whipping around, Sylvia came face to face with her childhood best friend Juliet – inseparable since the cradle, privy to every secret and dream. Juliet was also the first person Sylvia confessed her love for Cyril to. And vehemently rejected the idea, much to Sylvia’s irritation. She stubbornly vowed to marry Cyril anyway. Their ensuing fight soon involved both their families. Sylvia blamed Juliet for the lack of privacy and refused to speak to her again. Three long years of total silence followed despite having each other’s numbers. Seeing Juliet now brought tears to Sylvia’s eyes. She never imagined reconciling with both family and friend after so long. Juliet too cried as she clutched Sylvia’s hand tightly. “Come on, Uncle and your brother have been waiting for you!” Unable to speak, Sylvia simply nodded and let herself be guided further inside. There on the familiar couch sat her beloved brother Bruce and father Stanford. At the sight of them, her lips trembled uncontrollably. Stanford immediately stood with open arms and a tender smile. Sylvia broke down entirely and flew into her father’s embrace. To her, he had always seemed so tall and strong – her shelter against all storms who indulged her every whim. But three years had aged him with new lines of weariness that wrenched her heart with guilt. If not for her stubbornness, they would never have endured such painful separation. Bruce watched them quietly from the side, not interrupting the poignant reunion. “Dad…” Sylvia finally sobbed out. She felt her father’s arms tighten with his own surge of emotions. When their tears finally slowed, Sylvia approached Bruce awkwardly. “I’m sorry, brother. I was too willful back then but I’m home now.” She half expected Bruce to still be furious over their last argument where he swore to disown her if she married Cyril. Yet here he was, the one who had called her back. As the baby of the family, they had all doted on Sylvia. Naturally her choice of husband roused their intense protectiveness. Thankfully time and forgiveness had seen her safely home. “As long as you’re back, that’s all that matters. We’ve been waiting for you.” Bruce smiled gently. Family was home and hearth – no matter the mistakes, they would always welcome their lost child back with open arms. Sylvia now realized how foolish she had been to endure her struggles alone for so long. “I promise I’ll never leave any of you again,” she pledged fervently. Bruce ruffled her hair just like when she was little. “Don’t worry, your second brother loves you most of all. He’ll come around even if he’s still sulking a bit. You’ll just have to coax him.” Sylvia understood his hint. She and her second brother had always been closest until their huge fight right before she left with Cyril. The thought of facing him now made her uncharacteristically anxious. Seeing her apprehension, Bruce reassured her again. No matter what, she would always be their beloved little sister. Exhausted from her ordeals, Sylvia soon retired to her unchanged childhood bedroom. Aside from new seasonal clothing and jewelry that showed she was often in their thoughts, everything remained just as she had left it. The realization made her eyes burn anew. She couldn’t begin to articulate her remorse and gratitude. Her phone chose that moment to ring with her sister-in-law Bonnie’s name flashing. Sylvia answered warily. “Where are you right now? I heard you walked out on my brother. What did you do with the necklace he gifted me, you thief? I don’t care what excuses you have – stealing is still a crime! If you don’t return that necklace immediately, I’m calling the cops on you!” Bonnie shrilled nastily. Furrowing her brow, Sylvia wracked her brains about said necklace. Drawing a blank, she decided it wouldn’t hurt to collect back all the extravagant gifts she had showered Bonnie and the others with when she was still infatuated enough to view them as family. Her past self’s foolish generosity clearly needed amending.