Astrid walked into her mother's room, her heart heavy with worry. She was met with a sight that made her blood run cold.
Her mother was now connected to an oxygen tank, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath.
Astrid's eyes welled up with tears as she remembered the conversation she had with her mother just a few minutes ago. She had seemed fine then, but now...
Astrid sat beside her mother, taking her hand in hers. She pondered the reason for her family's past, wondering why her father had never lived with her mother.
She rested her head on her mother's shoulder, trying to stem the flow of tears.
That's when she noticed a slight movement from her mother. Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled gently at Astrid.
"Mum," Astrid whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She wrapped her arms tightly around her mother, holding her close.