As the rain continued to pour, the weight of my mother’s words bore down on me like an avalanche. The cold seeped into my bones, but it was the betrayal that truly chilled me to the core. My heart ached for Mia, who clung to my side, her small body shivering in the night air. I wrapped my arms around her, praying my warmth would ward off her fever.
The world seemed to blur into a haze of rain and sorrow, but amidst the despair, a quiet resolve began to form. I couldn’t let Mia suffer for their cruelty. I needed to be strong for her, to find us refuge from the storm, both outside and within the walls of our fractured family.
I pulled out my phone, hesitating for just a moment. Then, with fingers numb from cold, I dialed the only number that came to mind—my trusted friend, Sarah. She picked up on the second ring, her voice warm and concerned.
