"I'm just touched, Mom... Can I cry a little?" Elena wiped her cheeks, smiling faintly with a trembling voice.

Mrs. Sonia approached, hugging her gently. "Cry if it brings you relief, dear. You've been holding it all in by yourself for too long. Now you're not alone anymore."

Elena nodded softly in the warm embrace. It felt like being held by her own mother—warm, sincere, and non-judgmental. But time was running out, and she knew the day was still long.

"Mom, I have to go to the mall downtown for a while. There are some new tenants I need to meet in person," she said as she stood up and...