KIRA

My God, how could I forget Madeline was in the house, too? My mother’s face went from soothing and relaxed to genuinely shocked.

“Mommy…” mother repeated tears forming in the corner of her eyes.

“Mom, who is this lady?” Maddie asked and my world as I knew it had just collapsed.

Right at that moment, my mother approached Maddie. She reached out and gently stroked her cheek. She couldn’t get a word out. Maddie didn’t even take a step back. It was as if they had known each other all their lives.

“Hello, little girl,” Mom said in a voice choked with emotion and literally kneeled before her. My...