Chapter 7 — Karma Returns

Months passed after Tony Parker left their lives. Linda Miller slowly learned to live again. Her hands still shook sometimes, but her eyes were softer now. She spoke less, but when she smiled, it felt real. Sofia stood beside her like a silent guard. She had seen too much pain to ever be careless again.

One afternoon, Linda said quietly, “I wonder if he’s still angry.” Sofia replied, “It doesn’t matter anymore. He’s gone, and we are free.” Linda sighed. “Free, but broken.” Sofia held her hand and said, “Broken things can still shine, Mom.” Those words made Linda cry again, not from pain this time, but from love.

They began to rebuild their life. Sofia started working in a women’s help center. She met other women who had suffered like her mother. She listened to their stories, comforted them, and gave them hope. Linda said proudly, “You are healing others while still healing yourself.” Sofia smiled softly, “That’s how life works, Mom. Pain teaches us how to help.”

One morning, they got news that Tony had lost everything. His business failed. His friends left him. He had no home, no family, and no peace. Sofia listened to the news quietly and said, “That’s karma. Life always gives back what we give.” Linda looked down and whispered, “I don’t hate him. I only pity him.” Sofia said, “That’s enough, Mom. You don’t have to hate anyone. You already survived.”

Days later, they heard Tony had been found sick and alone in a motel. He died there quietly. Sofia prayed for him that night. She closed her eyes and said softly, “May God forgive him. May He never let anyone live with such emptiness again.”

Linda sat beside her and touched her shoulder. “You are stronger than I ever was,” she said. Sofia replied gently, “No, Mom. You gave me your strength.” Both hugged, and for the first time, they didn’t cry. They simply stayed in that quiet love that had survived everything.

Karma had returned, but it had also left peace behind.