The Magic Within ↠ Once Upon A Time

[Chapter 77] Will I Lose Her Forever?

Hey... I know it's been a long time. In case you haven't looked at my updates, I've been dealing with some mental health issues and I had to take some time away from writing. I truly apologize, but I ultimately had to make the choice of choosing my health first.

Either way, here's a brand new chapter [FINALLY!!!]

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~Regina's POV~

She looks so happy with them. In all the years she's been with me, not once have I seen her beam brighter than the sun. Her eyes shine brighter than the stars in a dim sky. With those creatures, she looks more like herself than she's ever expressed with any one of us. She looks like the best version of Melody that I could ever ask for.

If only I could've given her that happiness.

It's not like I haven't tried. I've done my best, but I either seem to fail or it was never good enough for me. Melody has smiled with me before, but it's never been as gleaming as a gem. Especially after everything, who knows if she would ever smile for me again?

At least I know that there is still happiness inside of Melody. She still carries glee even through her hardest times.

However, why does it have to be for a bunch of gorillas?

She's at peace with them though everything around them is utter chaos. She feels at home with them even when nothing else can support her in either realms. She looks as if she's meant to belong to them. It's her family, and she's been separated from them for so long. She's finally back with her family.

Surely, her picture of a family doesn't involve me in it. I've hurt her more than I'd care to realize. I've tried to protect her from all the bad things, but in the end, I'm the bad thing that's hurting her more. Given how things are, I wonder where things stand.

Nevertheless, seeing Melody smile amongst those gorillas puts a grin on my lips. I may've been confused at first when I watched her transform into a different person—a different being altogether—but it reminds me of when I first adopted her. Her smile just makes me remember those moments. Those memories were good. So while everyone may look puzzled, I try to swallow back the smile that continues to fight for dominance because deep down my body feels like it's about to crumble.

A little sly voice in my head continues to remind me that it isn't me who's bringing Melody joy, who's bringing her the light of hope she so desperately needs. It's her old family that reignites the spark that is Melody's spirit. They somehow have the power to heal all of Melody's wounds that I could never notice.

It's them that she remains loyal to. I should've known her undying loyalty to her old family, knowing that its stronghold withstands long before we met. That kind of loyalty can never be changed, despite the fact that she's been hurt by them too.

There's a heavy weight that tries to weigh down at my core, but I let Melody's smile pull me back upright. It's all too bittersweet.

If only there was still hope for our family. Why can't I make her that happy? Melody is my daughter. I should be the one to put the smile on her face, to be the only one to truly fuel her igniting spirit. But all I've really done to her in all the time we've been in this decrepit town is break her more.

There's no point. If I were to go there now, I know that Melody's expression would switch to a different angle. Instead of trying to raise her spirits like those gorillas have, my presence alone could fuel Melody into a savage rampage. I know that there's animalistic instincts coursing through her veins, and I don't dare want to see more than what I'm seeing now. So as much as my heart wants to hold onto my daughter, I don't want to be broken by the reality that she'll likely want to attack me, to cut all ties with me, to pretend that I don't exist in her world.