I stood there, drenched and trembling, clutching my daughter close to ward off the chill. Mia was shivering, her breath coming in shallow gasps—a stark reminder of how fragile she was, how desperately I needed to protect her, even when the world around us seemed to be crumbling.
“Mommy, I’m cold,” Mia whispered, her voice barely audible over the relentless rain. Her little body shook in my arms, and I knew I had to get her to warmth and safety, away from those who had turned their backs on us.
Taking a deep breath, I swallowed my pride and called the one person who had always stood by me in times of need. The phone rang twice before a familiar, comforting voice picked up.
