I was released the next day.
One night in the cell felt like I’d been stuck in a cage for a year. It was dirty, smelly, and so uncomfortable I barely slept. But the moment I stepped out of the station, all of that stopped mattering.
Because the first thing I saw… was my family.
They were standing across the road, waiting for me.
“Mom!”
Billy broke free from Anna’s hand and ran straight at me. He crashed into my chest, pushing his face into my neck, holding me so tight like he was scared I might disappear.
“Mom!” he cried. When he pulled back, his big eyes were full of tears. “I thought I wasn’t going to see you again!”
My heart shattered into pieces at that moment.
“M–mama…!” Gracie cried out too from Rebecca’s arms, reaching for me with her tiny hands, her lips already trembling.
