Breaking the Mask

[POV: Elara]

“Hello, my beautiful boy.” I squatted down immediately, opening my arms wide as Evren rushed toward me the second I walked through the door after my diner shift. His small, solid body collided with my chest, and I squeezed him in a tight, desperate hug, burying my face in his soft hair.

I held him a second longer than usual, desperately attempting to mask the terrifying, looming r