YELENA

I couldn’t move.

My feet felt nailed to the floor, like the earth itself was holding me down. I could hear him outside. I could feel him.

And I could smell my baby.

That soft milk scent. That tiny familiar warmth. It hit me so hard my chest ached.

The door shook.

Just once.

But that was enough.

He was there.

All the strength I gathered to stand tall in front of him? Gone. Drained. My knees turned weak and Mum had to hold my arm before I dropped. She pushed me gently into a ...