Chapter 27: Smoke And Mirrors

Cynthia POV.

“I had no idea you had so much contempt in your heart for me. I had truly missed you.”

Mom’s eyes had begun to water. Her mouth had stopped moving. She had paused chewing her food. Her frail frame looked bent like an age-old tree trunk at the end of its natural life. She appeared on the verge of an emotional breakdown.

Was it an act? Was it a ploy to invoke my sympathy? I could not tell.

But one thing I was sure of, she had come to visit me for a reason. Even though she would not admit it, iI had to pry it out of her.

But that would have to wait. Mom was sobbing. And she was saying sorry to me for the first time in my life. I had to listen to her. I had to allow her to make amends.

“I missed you so much. The day you walked out on us was the saddest day of my life. I admit I was not an exemplary mother. Maybe I failed to live up to your expectations. But that doesn’t justify incurring your wrath.”