Punish me

Lara opened the door and her eyes widened with relief when she saw me. "Iris," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

In an instant, she was throwing herself into my arms, hugging me tightly, her body trembling against mine.

I held her close, feeling her tears dampen my shoulder.

"Shhh," I murmured, gently stroking her hair. "I'm here now."

She pulled back, wiping her tears, her expression a mixture of relief and worry.

"Thank goodness you're here,"

she whispered, her voice trembling.

Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself for what was to come next.

We stepped inside the house, and the reality of my mother's condition hit me like a punch to the gut.

She was lying on the couch in the living room, her complexion pale and her body looking small and fragile.

I approached her, feeling my own tears threaten to fall, and kneeled by her side, taking her hand in mine.