18.

Evelyn

I took a deep breath before pushing the door open and stepped into the familiar living room. The house held so many memories of my childhood and growing up. Our eyes met, and she choked out my name. Tears welled up in my eyes upon seeing her. I slowly approached her. "Mother."

She pulled me into a tight hug, and I wasted no time in returning it. "I'm sorry, Evelyn. I shouldn't have let you go. I'm so sorry. I failed as a mom," she confessed. I pulled away gently, holding her hand.

"No, Mother. Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. Please stop crying," I pleaded. She shook her head. "No, Evelyn. I'm even ashamed to look at you. If I hadn't sent you to Lucian, none of this..." Her words trailed off as she choked on her tears. I embraced her again as we both cried.

After a while, we composed ourselves and sat side by side. I sipped my coffee as I told her everything about surviving Lucian's attack. "I'm sorry you had to go through that trauma, Evelyn," she said, reaching for