The car ride to the hospital was filled with a palpable tension. Riele’s mind raced, both with hope and fear. After months of uncertainty, the news of her mother’s recovery was like a breath of fresh air, but she couldn’t bring herself to fully believe it until she saw it with her own eyes.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Riele’s heart pounded. She glanced back at Harry, who sat silently beside her, his face a mixture of hope and caution. Charlotte, sitting in the front seat, was ...