Margaret squeezed my hand, her touch warm and firm. "You're my daughter, always."Her words wrapped around me like a blanket."You thought I judged your roots, didn't you?" she teased.I nodded sheepishly. "The Terrell family was so grand.""Silly girl," she laughed, shaking her head. "We built our life from nothing, clawing our way up through hard times. I know what struggle is. How could I judge you for yours?""And Crystal?" I asked, curiosity breaking through."Different," she replied, her voice hardening. "The moment she stepped into our house, her eyes screamed ambition. I didn't oppose Asher's relationships, but I opposed her poison. He was too blind to see it."She sighed, then smiled. "But you? Your love for him was pure. No agenda. Just devotion and care. I knew you were the one for him."Her acceptance, from the very beginning, warmed me to my core."So, even without him," she continued, her eyes earnest, "you are family. You can continue to call me Mom or by my ori
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