Two.
Finally, permission came.
They were escorted inside.
But the power had shifted completely.
When Soma saw them, something inside her remained calm.
No anger.
No bitterness.
Just clarity.
Felicia stepped forward, forcing a smile.
“Soma, my daughter.”
The words felt strange in the air.
Soma said nothing.
“We didn’t know,” Felicia continued quickly. “If we had known—”
“That’s the point,” Soma interrupted gently.
Silence fell.
“You didn’t know. And you still chose to treat me the way you did.”
Felicia’s face tightened.
“I was trying to protect my own child.”
“And I was not your child?” Soma asked quietly.
That question landed heavily.
Caro stepped forward, her voice softer.
“We can fix things,” she said. “We can start again.”
Soma looked at her.
Really looked at her.
