"Mom, I still have to hug you yet, let me finish first," Riza teased as she wrapped her in her arms, thinking that her sudden outburst must be related to her mixed emotion of loneliness due to her loss, and the immense joy for her return. She hugged her tight, allowing her to ventilate her worries, sadness, and miseries out until her sobs ebbed down.
When she left, her mother must have been sleepless for years in thinking where she had gone. Losing her was perhaps, her tale of early death, but setting her free was far better than having her inside the four walls of the Madani Jail.
"I'm sorry, dear. If anyone here deserves to die, it is me."
Riza's father frowned, scolding her. "What nonsense are you talking about?" It was such a sensitive subject that no one should unnecessarily bring up. Markus was on the line, and talking about it was like adding some grains of salt to an already festering wound.
