07

After years of not seeing her, Susan's eyes were red with emotion as Avery scuttled over to her, shouting excitedly. The woman, although only in her forties, appeared much older due to the hardships she had faced in life. Avery flew into her arms, and Susan embraced her goddaughter tightly, tears streaming down her face.

"Avery, is it because I'm about to die that you're finally willing to come and visit me?" Susan playfully complained.

Avery wasn't fooled. She knew her initially strict mother had claimed there was an urgent matter, but she had a premonition that it was because Susan was aging and wanted to see her precious daughter one more time. Avery listened to her words, feeling a mix of heartache and guilt.

"I'm sorry, Mom. Many things have happened in the past few years, and I haven't been able to come back to see you. This time, you'll come with me to the city to live. I can see that your legs and feet aren't as good as they used to be, and I worry about you," Avery thought t