Savannah's POV
"Do we have to attend tonight, Mom?"
"I wish we didn't have to, sweetheart, but there's no choice."
I let out a weary breath while fastening the final piece of jewelry for this evening's charity gala. Mateo perched on my bed, dressed in a custom-tailored suit from some designer label I couldn't remember purchasing. These past two years had transformed him completely. He'd grown rounder, more confident, more spirited. Every time I looked at him, my chest swelled with fierce maternal pride.
I swiveled my vanity chair to face my child directly. My fingers found his soft cheeks, giving them a gentle squeeze as my voice softened with all the tenderness I possessed. This boy represented everything good left in my world. He was the single person who still commanded my genuine love.
"What if we grab some ice cream afterward? A special midnight adventure?"
