Zephyra's POV

Mom handed me a steaming cup of tea, and I lifted it to my lips, breathing in the soothing peppermint scent as she settled down next to me. That night marked my first night back home, and while I was glad to see Mom, there was still an ache in my heart.

It felt absurd, mourning something that never truly existed in the first place. Yet, there I was, grappling with this inexplicable sorrow. If I found it this difficult, I could only imagine the pain Mom had endured when Dad walked ...