Chapter 149

A quiet night, an old face. A song stuck in a loop of regret. Even though Elaria felt like her heart was about to break again, she still sat down. No matter how bitter the food tasted, she forced herself to eat. She wasn't who she used to be-she was Ryan's mom now. But it hurt. So badly. Tears rolled down her cheeks and dropped silently into the bowl of rice. Mrs. Richards was just as shaken, her voice soft, like she was trying not to cry. She glanced at her son again-that scarred arm, the bruises on his face. Every glance reminded her just how blind she'd been. She couldn't hold it in anymore. Her voice broke as she started to cry. "I was supposed to go with you that day, but I got that call... I really don't know what got into me. Maybe I was just soft-hearted. I thought, Serena grew up with us. I didn't want her to be too miserable, so I figured I'd take her some money to help her out a little. But I was so wrong. She knocked me out. By the time I came to, hours had passed." "When I