As soon as Elena stepped into the house, the familiar scent of roasted spices and wood smoke wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. Her mother was seated on their old pallet couch, the same one that had carried years of laughter, stories, and quiet tears. She looked up as Elena entered, her face lighting up instantly. Without a word, Elena dropped her bag and hurried into her mother’s arms, giving her a warm hug — the kind that spoke of gratitude, relief, and love all at once.

Her ...