Chapter 78

• Tessa's POV:
• The tiny cottage nestled at the edge of the forest was quiet, except for the crackle of firewood and the soft rustle of wind against the windows. I sat cross-legged on the worn-out sofa, an oversized blanket wrapped around my shoulders as I stared at the woman before me, my mother.
• The shock of finding her again hadn’t worn off, not completely. And now, as we both sat in this dimly lit room with only the fire casting flickering shadows against the walls, I could feel the weight of unspoken truths pressing against my chest.