I woke up feeling lighter than I had in weeks. Sunlight streamed through my bedroom curtains as I stretched, a smile forming on my face as I remembered my conversation with Mom last night. After our emotional heart-to-heart, she'd called Gamma Alistair immediately. Even through the phone, I could hear the joy and relief in his voice.
"We'll make this work," she'd promised him, tears glistening in her eyes. "Elara and I will be there soon."
We'd driven to his house that same evening, and I'd witnessed something I never thought I'd see—my mother truly, radiantly happy. The moment she embraced Alistair, something magical happened. It was like watching two broken halves become whole.
As I got ready for university, I hummed to myself. For once, thoughts of Rhys weren't at the forefront of my mind. Today was about my mom's happiness, and maybe—just maybe—the start of something new for all of us.
