章 80: STARS

After finishing the book and tucking my mom into bed, I stepped outside for some fresh air. Sitting on the wooden bench outside her room, I tilted my head back, staring at the sky. Millions of stars sparkled, scattered across the darkness.

And then, out of nowhere, I heard myself whisper, "I wish I was a star. No mom, no dad, no stupid complicated love, no cancer... no Al—" I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence. Saying “no Ali” felt impossible. I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "Ali would make a ridiculously good-looking star," I muttered before letting out a deep sigh.

"Am I interrupting?" a soft, familiar voice said, breaking the silence.

Aurora.