“Rose…”
Her voice cracked as she said my name.
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I just stared at her, hoping...begging...that this woman wasn’t who I feared she might be. She stepped closer, studying my face ago.
Behind me, Cassie spoke.
“I thought you didn’t get my text.”
My mother’s...the woman’s...eyes softened.
“You’ve grown so much… you’re so big now,” she whispered, reaching for my hand. “I can’t believe...”
I snatched my hand away.
“I don’t want a reunion,” I said, my voice shaking. “I just have one question.”
She nodded slowly, like she already knew what was coming.
“Why?” The word barely left my throat before tears followed. “What’s the real reason you abandoned me as a baby?”
She exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging.
“Rose… it’s not that I didn’t care...”
“Just answer
