Bella’s laughter echoed down the corridor, startling me. She stood and turned toward me, a dazzling smile lighting up her face.

“Have you ever cried from pure happiness?” she asked, her voice bright with excitement.

I was taken aback by her sudden change in mood. The joy on her face was such a sharp contrast to her earlier grief that I could only shake my head.

“I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to shed happy tears,” she said softly. “Now I know.”

“Isn’t this ...