My Family

As Martins sat there, stunned by my revelation, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret for blurting out the truth. I had always kept my family issues hidden, afraid of the judgment and pity that would inevitably follow. But now, faced with Martins' concerned gaze, I found myself opening up in a way I hadn't before.

"It's just… I have nowhere else to go," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I know they haven't been the most supportive, but they're still my family."

Martins regarded me with a mixture of sympathy and understanding, his features softening as he took in my words. "Carina, you don't have to go back to them," he said gently. "You have options, you know. You have your own strength and resilience."

I shook my head, feeling the weight of my situation pressing down on me. "I don't know, Martins. I feel like I've hit rock bottom," I admitted, my voice trembling with emotion.

He reached out and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, offering me a reassuring smile