Tessa's POV
"Tessa, I'm sorry. Please, I'm back now. For everything I've done to you, I'm here to make it right." My mother walked toward me, holding my hand, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Mom," I reached out to her, watching a bright light glow above her head before slowly fading as she smiled at me, reaching for my hand almost instantly.
"I've missed you, my little baby," she said, gripping my hand tighter, her other hand brushing gently through my hair as she smiled, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
"Mom, please don't leave me again," I pleaded, tears streaming down my cheeks as I held her hand even tighter, refusing to let go—before finally opening my eyes to see someone who looked small and blurry at first, slowly coming into focus.
"Hardin?" I called out, startled, staring str
