Liana watched her mom with mixed emotions. Relief and dread swirled in her chest.

This was goodbye—their final farewell.

Karen's escape didn't erase her death sentence, and staying in the capital was a death wish.

The only hope was to smuggle her out of the country and sever all ties.

"Mom," Liana said, her voice trembling, "once you're overseas, take care of yourself. We don't know if we'll ever meet again."

Karen's tears streamed down her face, her fingers ...