Silence fell between them. A dense silence, heavy with emotions that could not be contained in words. Celina raised a hand to her face, wiping away a solitary tear, her heart aching from the intensity of everything she was hearing. And yet, she admired deeply the strength of the woman sitting before her. Emma was not only her mother. She was a warrior. And now, more than ever, a heroine in her story.

Emma lowered her gaze, and tears streamed down her tired yet strong face.

“As I told you, your