章 172: Chapter 171 - With a Sprinkle of Change and Fate

She paused, wiped a stray tear off her mother's face, then continued.

"Although not every excuse is justified, knowing can give you peace and lead to something greater. If not something greater, then at least peace."

"And I will always choose peace. Besides, this old lady of yours doesn't really have much time left." Gamama smiled, blinking her tears away.

"Here we go again." Risa rolled her eyes playfully at her statement.

"Go, bring me that letter."

Risa stood up immediately,dashed out if the kitchen then returned with the letter.

"Read it to me."

"Mama...? Are you--"

"And hold my hand while you do it."

That was when Risa realized something.

Her mother was using her anger to cover her fear, fear of reading about the unfortunate things that must have befallen him when he had disappeared, the pain of the fact that she hadn't been there to protect him, and the fearful knowledge that she wasn't strong enough to face it all alone.