Through the Thorns; still i rise

The breaking point is not the end; it’s the beginning.In Montreal, where identity has layers and reputation is a religion, Valentina Rivera, a young woman from Colombia, grows up in a home ruled by hierarchy, power and abuse, learning that silence is survival.Outside that house, she tastes other versions of love.Freedom that feels like a dare. Heat that feels like home.Calm that feels suspicious. Glamour that sparkles until it suffocates.And a rare tenderness that asks only for the truth.Each escape comes with a cost.Then, Valentina collapses.Everything she buried begins to surface.****Raw, darkly funny, and unflinching. Through the Thorns; still i rise asks: What if you finally choose yourself?About the author: Rose Alvarado is a new Montreal-based writer who creates emotionally powerful fiction drawn from lived experiences and deep emotional truth. With a voice that is sharp, tender and fearless, she tells unforgettable stories of survival, fractured family bonds and the complexities of love. Through layered characters and honest storytelling, her work speaks to resilience, transformation and the bravery it takes to begin again, proving that even in life’s most broken places, hope can still bloom.Author’s note: Please read with care and take breaks as needed. If anything in these pages feels close to home, consider reaching out to someone you trust or a qualified professional for support. You do not have to carry it alone.Beyond these pages, follow the journey on Instagram and Tiktok @throughthethorns.stillirise Read more