Scarlett POV
Regina’s voice held a note of surprise that almost sounded like gratitude when she realized it was me on the line. That reaction alone made the call feel heavier than it should have.
We had not spoken in a long time.
Long enough that I had trained myself to treat the idea of an adoptive mother as something that belonged to another life.
The silence had become a habit.
Breaking it felt strange, like stepping into a room I had locked years ago.
I did not circle the subject.
“Regina, I heard you were sick.”
“Yes. How did you hear about it?”
“It’s nothing serious. I’m getting older. A few aches and pains are normal.”
She tried to dismiss it the way people do when they do not want concern.
I did not believe her.
After we hung up, I went to the old family house myself
