It had been years since Sofia had been back here. In this house, this cold building. The home of those who had put her away in the first place. She heard the hushes whenever she entered a room, felt the eyes on her. Her very presence ruined moods. How could that be fair?

She lowered herself into a chair in the corner, feeling that was the best way to get through it. If the others forgot she was there, perhaps it would feel like a normal holiday party.

A part of her was bitter, sad, knowing no one there loved her as they had promised to when she was young. But another part of her couldn’t help but be at peace. Her mother had loved the holidays. Perhaps, if she was quiet, and still, she could simply observe. Could live vicariously through her own family.