I spent an entire summer waiting for Emily to come back, refusing to believe anything could truly keep her from me. As the days passed and the silence grew heavier, I was forced to confront the reality I’d been avoiding: she wasn’t coming back. In the end, facing the truth changed me in ways I never expected, leaving me with questions I still can’t answer.
The first time I wore a bright summer dress and dared to leave my apartment, I thought I was finally ready to face the world. But stepping into the heat of that June day, I found myself gripped by old fears and new challenges, especially as my family’s expectations pressed heavily on my shoulders. This is the story of my struggle with panic disorder, the secrets we keep behind closed doors, and the courage it takes to step into the sunlight—no matter how much it burns.
