"Why are you behaving like this?" her mother asked, her voice tinged with concern as she watched her daughter's peculiar actions. A deep crease etched itself between her brows, evidence of her worry. "Is there something wrong?" she inquired, her tone gentle yet firmly pressing for an answer.
Her eyes darted nervously, not meeting her mother's gaze. A mixture of fear and uncertainty clouded her features, making her seem even smaller in comparison. With a quick but deliberate shake of her head, she denied any wrongdoing. It was as if she hoped that through her denial, she could conceal the secret that weighed heavily upon her fragile heart.
Still, her mother persisted, refusing to let her daughter retreat into the shadows. There was an unspoken understanding that something troubled her, so
