The courtyard remained filled with warmth.
Soft sunlight illuminated the gardens while the scent of fresh tea and rain-soaked flowers drifted gently through the morning air.
And seated together beneath that peaceful atmosphere...
Stephanie and Maria Rogers simply enjoyed each other's presence.
No fear.
No grief.
No sorrows.
Just mother and daughter.
Stephanie still occasionally teared up randomly while speaking, as though her heart still couldn't fully process that Maria was truly alive.
Meanwhile Maria herself couldn't stop touching Stephanie's face, hair, or hands every few minutes like she needed constant reassurance her daughter was safe too.
"You've gotten thinner."
Maria suddenly muttered when she noticed a few changes on her daughter which she knew the causes.
Stephanie laughed weakly.
"That's the first thing you say after coming back alive?"
"It's important."
Stephanie almost cried again hearing that familiar motherly tone.
