Walking out of the office with Josh and my mum beside me felt… strange. Not bad—just unfamiliar. Like I was stepping into a life that had always been meant for me but I’d never been allowed to live. Before we got too far, I reached out and grabbed Mum’s hand, gently pulling her aside. My grip tightened around both of hers as I turned to face her properly. Josh stayed close, standing just beside us like he always had—even when we were kids.
I waited until the office door shut behind us before I spoke.
“Mum… I’m sorry,” I started, my voice already trembling. “For how I treated you when I got here. I didn’t know… I didn’t know what you went through.”
Her eyes filled instantly, but I shook my head slightly.
“No—please, just let me finish,” I said softly, squeezing her hands tighter. “I was
