Serene froze in her tracks, her breath hitching in her throat.
"No... No, no... Olivia!"
All hesitation vanished. Serene scrambled into the carriage, her hands trembling violently as she reached out to touch her daughter.
Before her fingers could even brush the cold skin, Olivia leaned slightly forward. The heavy, limp posture vanished instantly. With a calm, measured hand, Olivia swept a strand of silver hair away from her face, her dark blue eyes shining with sharp clarity. A faint, supremely confident smile touched her lips.
"Hello," Olivia murmured softly, her voice steady and smooth. "Don't you think you took a bit too long, Mother?"
Tears burst from Serene's eyes. Overwhelmed by sheer disbelief and relief, she pulled Olivia into a desperate, crushing embrace.
Outside, Roland stood framed by the morning mist, his brow furrowing into a dark, irritated scowl as he watched their reunion. "Enjoy your sweet little reunion while it lasts," he spat with cold disdain.
