She cried harder, years of loneliness and fear pouring out.
“Mom… I want to come home. I want to go back to the Philippines with you. I can’t stay here anymore.”
I kissed the top of her head, my own tears falling.
“Then that’s exactly what we’re going to do. This Christmas, we’re going home together. Just you and me.”
Maria Louise looked up at me, eyes shining with something I hadn’t seen in twelve years — hope.
“You really mean that?”
I nodded firmly.
“I didn’t fly halfway around the world to leave without my daughter.”
