She smiled, her face softening for the first time in days. “Thanks, Mom. I… I think I needed to hear that.”
I pulled her into a tight hug, feeling the weight of her tired body relax against mine. It was a quiet moment of reassurance, of love that transcended everything else. No matter how much the world demanded of her, she would never face it alone.
A few days later, Lily came home with a look of excitement that was hard to ignore. Her phone buzzed in her hand as she grinned at me from across the room.
“Guess what?” she said, her voice bubbling with energy. “I got selected for a mentorship program with one of the top designers in the city!”
My heart soared for her as I rushed over to congratulate her. “Lily, that’s amazing! This is such a huge opportunity. I’m so proud of you.”
“I can’t believe it’s happening,” she said, practically bouncing in place. “This could open so many doors for me, Mom.”
I pulled her into a hug, feeling the pride and joy radiating from her. “You deserve it, sweetie. You’ve worked so hard for this. You’re going places.”