Chapter 287

Madison

When I unlocked my apartment door, I was immediately hit by the smell of coffee and bacon. Mom was up and cooking, which was both a relief and a concern.

“Madison?” she called from the kitchen. “Is that you, honey?”

“Yeah, Mom,” I answered, dropping my purse on the entryway table. “You’re up early.”

I found her at the stove, spatula in hand, looking better than she had in weeks. The color had returned to her cheeks, and she moved with more energy than I’d seen since before her diagnosis.

“Thought I’d make my baby girl some breakfast,” she said with a smile. “You’re always rushing around these days.”

“Mom, you shouldn’t be on your feet so much,” I protested, moving to take the spatula from her. “The doctor said—”

“The doctor said moderate activity is good for me,” she interrupted, swatting my hand away. “And standing at a stove making breakfast counts as moderate in my book.”

I sighed, knowing better than to argue. “Fine,