"A New Beginning"

"Does he hate me?" Ashley mumbled, her voice barely audible as tears began to flow down her face. Karen's expression softened, and she reached out to gently wipe away a tear. "He does not," she said firmly. "Your father loves you, Ashley, but he can't take care of you right now. That's why we need to find a safe and stable environment for you." Ashley sniffled, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She had always felt like she was a burden to her father, and the thought of him hating her had been a constant fear. "Now, where do I stay until you find a family for me?" Ashley asked, her voice still shaking. Karen smiled kindly. "You'll stay here at the hospital, in the psych ward. We'll get you the help you need to manage your bipolar and ADHD. We'll work with you to develop coping strategies and get you on the right medication." Ashley's eyes widened as she thought about staying in the psych ward. It sounded scary, but at the same time, it felt safe. "Can you take the restraints off, please?" Ashley asked, trying to sound calm. Karen nodded and pressed a button on the wall. The restraints clicked open, and Ashley rubbed her sore wrists. She felt a sense of relief wash over her as she was finally free from the confines of the bed. Karen stood up and handed Ashley a box of tissues. "Here, take these. You're going to need them." Ashley took the tissues and blew her nose, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Karen. As Karen turned to leave, Ashley called out to her. "Karen?" "Yes?" Karen turned back to Ashley. "Will I ever see my father again?" Ashley asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Karen's expression was sympathetic. "We'll work on that, Ashley. We'll help you and your father work through your issues and develop a plan for you to have a relationship. But for now, let's focus on getting you better and finding a safe and stable home for you." Ashley nodded, feeling a sense of hope for the first time in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, things were going to get better.