Chapter Seventy-five

Elena anxiously dialed her mother's number, her heart pounding in her chest. After several rings, her mother finally answered the call, and Elena could hear the sadness in her voice.

"Hello?" her mother answered, her tone heavy with sorrow.

"Mom, it's me, Elena," she said, her voice quivering slightly.

"Oh, Elena, thank God you called," her mother replied, relief mixing with the grief in her voice. "I've been so worried about you. How are you holding up? Are you alright?"

Tears welled up in Elena's eyes as she took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "I'm okay, Mom," she assured her, her voice filled with a mix of pain and strength. "It's been tough, but I'm managing. You know how resilient Dad always said I was."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Elena could imagine her mother nodding, tears streaming down her face. "Yes, you are strong, just like your father," her mother choked out. "But I miss you, Elena. I miss both of you so much, especially now that your