Months had passed since Stephanie and Maya first stepped into Rosa's small eatery.
What had once felt strange and overwhelming had slowly become part of their daily lives.
Every morning before sunrise, the two girls would unlock the shop doors together. The quiet street would still be half asleep as they prepared the kitchen.
Maya handled the cooking most days.
Stephanie managed the counter, greeted customers, and helped wherever she was needed.
It wasn't easy.
There were days the food burned.
Days when customers complained.
Days when they barely made enough money to buy supplies for the next morning.
But somehow… they kept going.
Rosa had become more than just their employer. She was the closest thing they had to family.
She often watched them with soft eyes as they moved around the kitchen.
"You girls remind me of myself when I was younger," she once said with a gentle smile.
But as the months went by, Rosa began to look more tired.
One afternoon, she called them both to sit with her.
Her voice was calm, but there was something serious in her eyes.
"My children have been calling me every day," she said.
Stephanie and Maya exchanged confused glances.
"They want me to come live with them," Rosa continued. "They think I'm getting too old to keep running this place."
Maya frowned slightly.
"But this shop is your life."
Rosa smiled sadly.
"Yes… but my children say it's time I rest."
Silence filled the room.
Stephanie felt a strange fear creeping into her chest.
"What will happen to the shop?" she asked quietly.
Rosa looked at both girls carefully.
"For now… I want you two to manage it."
Their eyes widened.
"Us?" Maya said in disbelief.
Rosa nodded.
"You've been here long enough. I trust you."
Stephanie wasn't sure if she felt proud… or terrified.
Running the eatery without Rosa suddenly felt like standing in the middle of the ocean without knowing how to swim.
But Rosa reached over and gently held Stephanie's hand.
"You girls are stronger than you think."
Stephanie forced a small smile.
But deep inside, she wasn't sure she believed it.
And somewhere far away…
Her mother sat alone in her daughter's empty bedroom.
The birthday letter Stephanie had written rested in her trembling hands.
She had read it more times than she could count.
Every word felt like a knife in her heart.
"I'm sorry," she whispered into the quiet room.
But apologies meant nothing to an empty house.
Because the girl she was searching for…
Was miles away.
And had no idea her mother was looking for her.