Yuko nodded, sitting on Kasumi's other side. "Mom, you've carried this pain alone for too long. Let us share it with you."
I continued feeding her patiently, one small bite at a time. Every time a tear fell, I wiped it away tenderly. "You're doing great, Oka-san. Just a little more."
Kasumi's voice cracked as she swallowed. "That woman… she was my ex-husband's mother. She never liked me. Even back then, she blamed me for everything. When I left him… when he started drinking and passed away in an accident… she put all the blame on me. She said I killed him… that I destroyed their family…"
Another tear rolled down. I wiped it softly and fed her a piece of sausage. "And yet you still raised two wonderful daughters all by yourself. You built a successful company. You became an incredible mother. That old woman's words don't define you."
Kasumi looked at me with trembling, tear-filled eyes as I brought another bite to her lips. She accepted it, chewing slowly while more tears fell.
