"Son!"
Ezekiel smiled as soon as he saw his mother rushing toward him. She smiled at him before enveloping him in a tight embrace.
"Mother," Ezekiel murmured, returning the hug with equal warmth. It had been too long since he last held her like this, and he cherished the moment as much as he could. "I'm truly sorry for keeping you all in the dark about my situation."
His mother pulled back slightly, her expression a mix of relief and reproach. "Your father will be furious once he learns of this, but thankfully, everything is well now," she chided gently, pushing him away slightly. "Do you realize the amount of worry you put us through? No matter the circumstances, you mustn't shoulder your burdens alone. We are your family, and we'll always have each other's backs."
