After they hung up, Bianca felt her mood sink again. The whirlwind of recent events had left her feeling completely drained, and Dave’s absence only made the loneliness more painful.

She was used to keeping her frustrations to herself, always putting on a strong face for friends and colleagues. She never allowed anyone to see her vulnerable side.

Her mind wandered to her mother, Madison, who was the embodiment of warmth and love. If there was anyone who could truly understand her pain, it was ...