Elena
“What a pleasant surprise, Elli! Did you get leave from university, finally?” Mom hugged me close with tears of happiness in her eyes.
“I quit, Mom. I can’t live there for two years. You were right. I shouldn’t have left home.” My throat choked with emotions I couldn’t control. After what I went through, my mother’s embrace felt like heaven. It erased my bitterness momentarily. I hugged her back, resting my heavy head on her shoulders.
“Hush, sweetheart. I’m glad you returned home.” Then she felt my forehead and released me. “You’re burning with fever, Ellie. Why did you drive so far in these conditions? Where’s Damien?” She frowned, searching for Damien behind me.
“He’s busy with Everly. I couldn’t take her insults, Mom.” I was tired of hiding my emotions from my mom.
She gaspe
