Elena told Evelyn that she was tired and was going to bed. She didn't confront her mother about anything and just got up to leave.
"Goodnight," she said.
"Sleep well," Evelyn said warmly.
Elena turned to leave but her foot caught the edge of the carpet.
It happened in an instant — one moment she was standing, the next her balance was completely gone. She lurched forward, her arm reaching out for something to hold onto.
"Mom—"
The word came out before she chose it. It was a pure reflex of everybody in the world.
However, Evelyn didn't move immediately. That split-second delay shocked Elena to the core.
Then suddenly, as if remembering—Evelyn rushed forward.
"Elena!"
She held her, a bit too tightly. "Are you okay?"
Elena nodded slowly but her eyes lingered on Evelyn. Usually, her mother would have reached out even before she called her. That was a mother's instinct. But she didn't today. Elena deduced that it must be because her mother was still recovering from the accident.
