Chapter 23

The ride home was quiet. The kind that settles when everyone’s heart is still catching up with their thoughts. Benjamin sat beside me, both hands on the wheel, focused but calm. I kept stealing glances at him, wondering how one person could carry so much weight for someone else and never ask for anything in return.

When we pulled into the driveway, I saw the porch light already on. My mom was waiting already.

I didn’t even wait for the engine to go off. I got out of the car and rushed inside.

“Mama!”

She stood from the couch slowly, but the second our eyes met, everything else disappeared. I dropped my bag on the floor and wrapped my arms around her.

Her body was warm.

“You did it,” she whispered into my shoulder. Her voice trembled. “You really did it, baby.”

I nodded, burying my face in her neck. “We did it mummy.”

Behind me, Benjamin stepped in, closing the door softly.

My mummy pulled back slightly, brushing my hair away fro