Lilly quietly pushed the door open and stepped into her mother’s room.
She found Zara kneeling beside the bed, folding tiny dresses and placing them carefully into a small suitcase.
“Mommy… are you okay?” Lilly asked in her soft little voice. “Aunty Maya said you’re sick.”
Zara quickly wiped her tears and forced a smile as she turned around. “Mommy is okay, baby.”
Lilly studied her for a second, then nodded. She was still young enough to believe what she was told.
“Mommy… are we going somewhere?” she asked curiously.
Zara’s hands froze over the suitcase.
Slowly, she sat down on the bed and lifted Lilly onto her lap, holding her tighter than usual. She buried her face briefly in her daughter’s hair before pulling back.
“You know I love you, baby… don’t you?” she asked gently.
Lilly
