“Happy birthday!”
I yelped, jolting at my mom's sudden cheer. Nothing felt happy about this birthday—except to her, apparently.
“Thank you,” I managed, steadying my breathing as I pulled on my shirt.
“I can’t believe you’re twenty. You stayed nineteen forever,” she teased, running a comb through my hair.
“I know, right?” I muttered, tugging on my socks.
Her fingers lingered on my scalp. “Why’d you cut your hair?”
“It’s just a trim,” I shrugged. “Still fits in a bun.” If she’d been around—or even called—maybe she’d have noticed the change sooner.
She knelt in front of me, her eyes soft but serious. “Saying sorry isn’t enough... I know I haven’t been the mom you needed since your dad died. Everything’s been a blur, but I swear—you are the only reason I’m still here.” Her voice tremble
