Cecilia shrugged, a resigned expression on her face. "I'm used to it," she said, referring to the difficulties she had faced with Mrs. Wormwood and her situation in general. "There are only a few more years before I get to go out on my own. Then it will all be behind me again," she added, a hint of hope in her voice.
When Ciara suggested talking to Cecilia's parents, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but it was short-lived. "Thank you, but it sounds like they have had a lot to deal with," Cecilia replied, her voice tinged with sadness. "They don't need another teenager with issues like mine," she added, her words trailing off.
Despite her difficult circumstances, Cecilia knew that she couldn't burden her parents with her problems. She had already caused them enough pain and heartache, and the last thing she wanted was to make things worse. As much as she appreciated Ciara's concern and support, Cecilia knew that she would have to find her own way forward, relying on her own strength and resilience to overcome the obstacles that lay ahead.