AMBER POV
I stared at my mother as she walked into the room, her hazel eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her auburn hair, usually neatly tied back, hung loose around her shoulders, giving her an almost fragile appearance. For the first time in my life, she looked older—like the weight of the last few days had aged her in ways I couldn’t ignore.
“Amber,” she whispered, her voice trembling as she rushed to my bedside. Her hands found mine, warm and grounding against the cold fear still gripping my chest. “Oh, thank the Moon Goddess. I was so worried about you.”
The lump in my throat grew unbearable. I tried to swallow it down, to say something reassuring, but the only word I could manage was, “Mom...”
Tears brimmed in her eyes as she pulled me into a careful embrace, mindful of the IV
