A month had passed since their honeymoon, and Gabby was getting back into her routine. She was handling her candle business full-time now, and things with Zay were going strong. Still, today, she found herself driving back through her old neighborhood. She hadn't been back in years, but something about the place called to her. She needed to stop by that fried chicken spot she used to love.
Walking out with a bag of food, Gabby took a deep breath, taking in the familiar sights of the block. But then, as she walked past a row of old buildings, something stopped her in her tracks. A woman was walking toward her, a face she hadn't seen in over a decade.
Her mother.
Gabby froze. She was still the same woman Gabby remembered, but older. The memories of her abandonment flooded her mind, and for a moment, Gabby couldn't believe her eyes.
Her mother stopped a few feet from her, and with a shaky voice, she said, "Hey, Gabby..." Gabby's heart was pounding in her chest, but she didn't know how to react.
"I—I've been out here for a long time," her mother continued. "I see you're doing well... I'm proud of you. I'm sorry I wasn't there, baby. I wasn't a mother at all."
Gabby just stood there, completely stunned. The words were empty, hollow. She felt nothing but confusion and anger. All these years, she'd had to fend for herself. All these years, she'd never had a mother to turn to. And now, out of nowhere, here she was, offering some half-hearted apology.
Gabby couldn't bring herself to respond. She just shook her head and turned, walking back to her car. She didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to feel anything right now.
The drive home was a blur. Gabby's mind was spinning, but there were no tears. Just a numbness that consumed her. She didn't know what to think. She hadn't seen her mother since she was eight years old, and now, this. It didn't make sense.
When she got home, Zay's calls had piled up on her phone. He'd texted and called all day, but Gabby couldn't find it in herself to pick up. She didn't know how to explain what had happened. She didn't even know how to process it.
Zay arrived home later that evening, and the house felt too quiet. No music, no TV—just an eerie stillness. He called out for her. "Babe? You home?"
There was no answer.
He walked into the living room and found Gabby lying on the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. His heart sank. Something was wrong. He sat beside her, gently pushing her until she was resting on his lap.
"Babe, what's going on?" Zay asked softly, his voice full of concern.
Gabby snapped out of her daze, her eyes meeting his. She didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say. But in that moment, the floodgates opened, and she just broke down, tears falling as her emotions finally spilled out.
Zay held her tightly, running his hand through her hair, trying to comfort her. "It's okay, baby. Whatever it is, we're in this together. You don't gotta go through it alone."
Gabby clung to him, unable to stop the tears. She didn't know what the future held, but in Zay's arms, she felt safe. She felt like she could finally let go.
To Be Continued...
