Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

LILY

Seated in her modest living room, I couldn't help but fixate on the photograph of a little girl perched on what appeared to be a makeshift TV console. The frame stood out-its presence commanding attention despite the clutter around it.

The girl's innocent smile, frozen in time, radiated an almost unbearable tenderness. Was this the child she had done everything for? The one who justified her every action, no matter how unforgivable?

A thought crept into my mind, unwelcome and jagged: What if she did it all for the sake of her sick daughter? Could she have sacrificed my three sons just to save her one daughter? The notion was unthinkable, not only senseless but monstrously cruel. What kind of mother could make that trade? What kind of person could even consider it?

I folded my arms tightly across my chest, the gesture more to steady myself than anything else.

My gaze remained locked on the photograph, as though it could somehow provide answers to questions that had no right to exist.

The room felt stifling, each second stretching uncomfortably, until the sharp metallic click of a lock being turned shattered the silence.

The door began to ease open, and I instinctively glanced at the security officer who had accompanied me. His posture stiffened instantly. His hand hovered near his hip.

But I wasn't afraid. Not really. I didn't believe she would do anything reckless. Not now. Not when her daughter's fragile world depended on this home, this space remaining intact.

Surely, if she had even a shred of decency left, she wouldn't destroy what little stability her daughter had. At least, that's what I told myself. Because if she didn't care-not even for her own child-then what kind of monster had I come face to face with?

The door creaked open, and she stepped inside, clutching the hand of a little girl who couldn't have been more than eight.

Her face immediately froze when her eyes landed on me, seated comfortably in her living room with the young man I'd brought along.

flickered across her features, her gaze darting between us, searching for answers or maybe an escape

and

Did she genuinely not recognize me, or was this some pathetic attempt to play

silently beside me. "You don't actually expect me to bring my child into

hand clutching at the hem of her mother's coat. "I think you're scaring the child right now," I said, pointing at the girl. "Besides, I'm not really a stranger. We've met before." I allowed

faltered, but she didn't

her," I said, my voice cold. "But if you stand there much longer, pissing me off, I'm going to lose my

her forward. "Go on, sweetheart," she murmured softly, crouching down to the little girl's level. "Go to your room while

before she turned

sitting across from me. She tucked her knees together,

I know it," I said bluntly, watching

cleared her throat, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "I'm not sure I know what you're talking about," she muttered.

you seriously playing this game with me right now?"

widened. "Sincerely," she said, her voice trembling slightly,

gaze full

give you enough money for her treatment. More than that I'll help you relocate, hide from Clover, and start over. I'll give you and

could feel the sting of

my knees, I clasped my hands together as if in prayer. "Please," begged, my voice breaking under the strain.

that day. I need to find my

bent down. Placing her hands on my shoulders, she guided me

her facade? My breathing steadied as I studied her face. "You delivered a brown envelope," I said slowly, "to a driver near Hill Taste restaurant a few weeks ago. It contained perfume." I