Ashley stood in front of the mirror hanging above the dresser, the soft glow of the room's light casting a warm hue over her as she worked through her hair, preparing for bed.
The door cracked open, and she turned just in time to see her mother poking her head inside, a small smile on her face.
"Mom," she called, continuing her task with her hair.
Monica, almost a perfect mirror image of Ashley, except for the redhead, stepped inside, walking behindher daughter.
"Let me help you with this, darling," she offered, taking over Ashley's hair. "It's growing so long... much longer than mine was at your age," she added with a smile.
Ashley mirrored the expression, watching her mother expertly roll her hair into a bun. She knew the woman hadn't just come in to praise her hair—there was something else on her mind.
"What's bothering you, mom?" she asked, her tone gentle.
Monica's hand left her hair and rested on Ashley's shoulder before she spoke.
