That night, as Lily retreated to her room, she received a message from Jake. It was a simple yet thoughtful check-in to confirm their upcoming weekend date. Lily replied, "Yes, of course! I'll be there." Jake, filled with excitement, responded, "We have so much catching up to do, beautiful!" Lily couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. Putting her phone down on the bedside table, she laid back on her bed, taking a moment to reflect on her journey. Despite the struggles and suffering she had endured, she felt grateful for how far she had come. Her thoughts then drifted to her foster parents, and she made a mental note to visit them soon, eager to share her recent experiences and express her gratitude for their care and support. The week flew by quickly, and Friday arrived—the day before
