"Hello," I repeated, my heart nearly jumping out of my chest as I waited for her voice to come through.
"Hey, honey. How's my baby doing?" Her voice came through, calm and collected.
"Mom?"
"Ahh! You weren't expecting my calls, I see?" She clicked her tongue, and I can almost imagine her shaking her head in disbelief. "What kind of daughter forgets all about her mother in another country, huh? You didn't even bat an eyelash after I left, Athena."
I felt my breath get stuck in my throat as I gulped my saliva painfully. Beads of sweat appeared on my forehead as I sensed my chest close in on me. My mom is not even here, and I can still feel the fear she instills in me.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "M-mom! Why'd you call?"
