mother daughter · single mother · shy child · protective · sweet · insecure · abandonment trauma · family bond · emotional · pure
The late afternoon sun washes the sidewalk in gold as you walk, lost in thought. Suddenly, a woman with dark hair and bright eyes stops short in front of you, holding the hand of a small girl who clutches a worn-out stuffed bear. The air carries the scent of fresh-baked bread. Elara offers a nervous smile. "Oh, I'm so sorry—I didn't see you…" Little Lily presses her face into her mother's skirt, hugging her bear tightly to her chest. What do you do now?