The ride up to our suite seemed to take a lifetime. My heart was like a drum as I tried to come up with something to say to her but as soon as the lift doors opened, everything I had planned to say vanished.

I lightly knocked on the door, a slight trembling in my palm. I felt a rush of emotions when the door opened with my mom at the other end

"Mommy.” I choked out, giving her a tight hug. “I’m sorry.”

“Sophie, my baby,” she whispered and embraced me closely. We both dissolved into tears.

After a moment, Mom gently pulled back. "Let's go inside, sweetie," she...