The world seemed to stop.
Rain continued falling outside.
Thunder echoed somewhere in the distance.
Yet Lily heard none of it.
Because the woman standing at her door had just shattered everything.
"I've been searching for you too."
The words echoed inside her head.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Lily stared at the stranger.
The stranger stared back.
Neither moved.
Neither spoke.
For several seconds, silence filled the doorway.
Then the woman smiled sadly.
A smile filled with years of pain.
Years of regret.
Years of waiting.
"You don't recognize me."
The statement wasn't a question.
Lily shook her head slowly.
"No."
The woman's eyes filled with disappointment.
Not anger.
Not frustration.
Disappointment.
As if she had expected this.
As if she had prepared herself fo
