Nurse Sarah: How are you feeling now, Maya? The doctor said your vitals are completely stable.
Maya: I feel lighter than I've felt in five years.
Nurse Sarah: That's the sound of freedom, sweetie.
A soft knock sounded at the door, and a young woman carrying a huge bouquet of white lilies walked into the room.
Clara: Maya? Oh my gosh, I came as soon as I heard!
Maya: Clara! You made it!
Clara set the flowers on the bedside table and carefully wrapped her arms around Maya, taking care not to touch her bruised ribs.
Clara: I was so worried when I heard about the car crash! Attorney Vance called me and told me what happened with Eleanor.
Maya: She's in police custody, Clara. Her and David both.
Clara: Good! That awful woman kept you isolated from all your real friends for years! I tried calling you so many times, but she always blocked my number.
Maya: She took my phone three years ago and replaced it with one she monitored. She wanted me to feel completely alone in the world.
Clara: Well, you're not alone anymore. Look outside.
Maya looked toward the hospital hallway. Standing outside the room were several old family friends, former employees from her father's company, and neighbors from her childhood neighborhood, all holding flowers and cards.
Maya: They all came for me?
Clara: As soon as the news broke that Eleanor was arrested, everyone rushed over. We were all just waiting for that monster to lose her grip on you.
Tears of genuine happiness welled up in Maya's eyes, trickling down her bruised cheeks as she smiled for the first time in years.
Maya: I thought everyone had forgotten about me...
Clara: Nobody forgot about you, Maya. We were just waiting for you to fight back.
Nurse Sarah: Alright, visitors one at a time, please! Our star patient needs her rest so she can get discharged on Friday!
Maya: Friday? The doctor said I can go home on Friday?
Nurse Sarah: Yes, ma'am. Right in time to step back into your family estate as the rightful owner.
Maya looked up at the white dome camera on the ceiling one last time. The little red light was still blinking softly, but the fear was completely gone.
Maya: I'm finally going home.
Clara squeezed Maya's hand gently, stepping aside as the first group of old family friends walked into the room with warm smiles and open arms.
Maya: The nightmare is over. It's time to build a real life.