A light flickered on the wall, and the room fell silent. The projector whirred to life, casting a warm glow on the wall.
Astrid glanced around surprised, wondering what this was about, but her eyes widened in shock as a video of her mother, Elizabeth, appeared on the screen.
"Astrid... My little orchid..." Elizabeth's frail voice filled the room, her words laced with a deep longing.
Astrid's gaze locked onto the screen, her eyes welling up with tears. "Mu…. Mum.." She called out, as she took a step forward, her hands reaching out as if to touch her mother's face.
The room around her melted away, leaving only the sound of her mother's voice.
Elizabeth's eyes, sunken and tired, looked directly into the camera. "I know if this video is being played for you, it means I'm gone." Her voice cracked, and she paused, wiping away tears.
Astrid's lips trembled, her eyes overflowing with tears. "No, you're not," she whispered, hoping her mother would respond.
