Chapter 127: A Bittersweet Farewell

Thelma Zane’s POV After my conversation with Aldrich, a sense of calm began to replace the heaviness that had weighed on my heart. Turning around, I noticed my mother standing quietly in the corridor, her gaze filled with warmth and understanding. She approached me, her presence bringing the kind of solace only a mother could provide, and sat down beside me. “Mother,” I murmured, wiping away the lingering tears on my cheeks. “I’m sorry.” With a gentle touch, she used her sleeve to dry my face. “Why are you apologizing, dear? What made you cry so suddenly?” “I’m not even sure,” I whispered. “I didn’t realize I was crying until just now.” The whirlwind of emotions I had been carrying—Adele’s tragic story, her choices, her pain—had overwhelmed me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. “I just spoke to Aldrich,” I continued softly. “He consoled me, and I feel a bit better now.” She smiled tenderly and leaned against me, her hand lightly brushing the top of my head. “I under