“The answer is thirty,” Zion answered the home tutor, who currently teaches him math.

“Very good,” she beamed at him.

His gaze drifted to the door, where it met Zera’s. His eyes grew wide in disbelief, and he ran off his feet and towards her, abandoning the lesson.

“Mommy!” he called out in excitement and joy, his hands spread out for a hug.

Zera dropped to her knees and scooped him into her arms. Holding him in her arms was a thing of joy, and the warmth was unlike any other. “Baby.”

“I missed you, mommy,” he said, patting her shoulders with his little hands.

It had taken over four...