The quaint café bustled with mid-morning activity as Emma pushed open the door, her heart pounding. She spotted her mother immediately, Sarah's nervous smile mirroring her own. Taking a deep breath, Emma made her way to the table.
"Hi, Mom," she said, the word still feeling foreign on her tongue.
Sarah stood, hesitating before pulling Emma into a gentle hug. "Hi, sweetheart. Thank you for coming."
As they sat, an awkward silence fell between them. Emma fiddled with her napkin, unsure where to begin.
"So," Sarah started, her voice trembling slightly. "How are you feeling? After everything..."
Emma met her mother's gaze, seeing the worry and love there. "I'm... managing. It's been a lot to process."
Sarah nodded, her eyes glistening. "Emma, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am. For
