BELLA A trembling breath answers from the other end of the line."Oh, sweetheart."That familiar voice brings a flood of tears to my eyes before I can draw another breath."Mum...""Oh, baby."The endearment wrecks me completely. I press a hand over my mouth to stifle the sob rising in my throat, desperate not to wake Rhain, who sleeps heavily against me, his fevered body curled close.For a long moment, we simply cry together—miles apart, yet bound by the fragile glow of the phone screen. Two hearts breaking in the same rhythm."I've been trying to reach you," I manage at last, choking on the words."I know.""No one answered. I thought—" My voice trembles. I can't bring myself to finish the words.On the other end, Mother falls silent. Then I hear it. The soft, stifled sounds of her own tears."Oh, Bella."The tenderness in her voice pierces straight through my chest. "I'm sorry.""Sorry?" I laugh through the tears, the sound wet. "For what? You're my mother."She lets out
Last Updated : 2026-06-14 Read more