zel

me is Geo

has another family," she began

felt the urge to ask my mother, but I couldn't. She had just woken

for help either," she continued, he

?" I asked, but she

t she didn't wan

ngs to my family," she began. "

I need to pay for your treatment, pl

. She ignored my questions and tol

her people or her people find me, t

ewhere. Her words weren't detailed enough, but I didn't care

me rest," I said, helping

ndon us? Why didn't he come looking for us?

to my father in my mother's room. An

cking the door, I made my way to my mother's room

something, a

book beneath the small desk. Its pages were worn and faded with time

ne number listed beside his name

I picked up the phone

let him answ

ice, before a voice ans

that sent shivers down my spine. "Hello?" the v

ss. My mind raced as I strug

ady despite the turmoil within me. "Is this... is this M

nd. A moment of silence that see

ad been waiting for. "Yes, this is him.

ooded through me as

d graced the headlines of newspapers and

" He re

Hazel, your daughter." Tears streame

coated with doubt. "I only have one ch

about me? Should I tel

s Amber," I said, a

e rung a bell

r me?" He asked, but there was n

all along. He was jus

. "My mother's life is at stake,

t? Why should I help your mother?"

no one else to turn

u have to come down to New York. To

t for him

. All that matters is that I

t he said. I didn't inform my mother ab

g in front of the mansion he had described. My heart

my mind. But nothing could prepare me for the

reaked open, revealing a man whose features

eld a glimmer of recognit

," I wh

gn on my tongue aft

guarded yet tinged with a

women sitting in the living room. The

ritten all over their faces. The air felt suffoc

ies with them before

nd awkward until finally, he br

is voice gruff yet tinged with a hint of something I

to come. I had hoped for reconciliation, for a

is ultimatum with a coldne

you, and then your mother will be sav

now," H