"Mom?" The word slipped out of my mouth, full of a need and a sob I didn't even know was there.
The next second, I was pulled into a warm, shaking hug. Liliana held me so tight, like she was trying to make up for the eighteen years we missed. I could feel her heart beating so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. I could feel her tears falling onto my neck, hot and real.
"I thought you were living a quiet life with him..." she sobbed right in my ear. "I prayed to the Moon Goddess every day that you were safe... my baby..."
I cried too, but these were happy tears. I hugged her back tight, breathing in her scent. Vanilla and sunlight—it was the smell of a mom. I found her. Or maybe she found me. This strong, classy, gentle woman was my mom.
We held each other and crie
