Oliver and I stared at each other for a while. Suddenly, he threw himself at my legs.

“Mommy, I’m hungry.”

His eyes were wide and bright, like black gems. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of tenderness.

I prepared a full spread of food, and Oliver eagerly dug in, his tiny body bobbing with each bite. Then, he started to cry.

I lifted his small face and wiped his tears. “Why are you crying?”

“This is the first time I’ve ever had food made by Mommy. It’s so delicious it made me cry.”

His childish voice tugged at my heartstrings. Oliver, who had no mother, truly saw me as...