Tears streamed down her mother's face, genuine and raw. Each word of her apology seemed to carry the weight of remorse, resonating with sincerity that Anna couldn't easily dismiss. The room hung heavy with unspoken emotions, the authenticity of her mother's regret filling the space.
Amidst the emotional turmoil, the loud cries of the baby shattered the tense atmosphere. Anna seized the opportunity to steal a glance at her step-sibling, a tiny innocent soul caught in the midst of this familial upheaval. The gender remained a mystery to her, a detail overshadowed by the anger that brewed within her.
"I think you should leave now; I need to clear my head," Anna declared, shutting her eyes tightly to stem the flow of tears.
Her mother, cradling the now quiet baby, stood up and gathered her belongings.