CHAPTER 104

VALERIE'S POV

"M-mom?" I stuttered.

The woman looked up, startled at the sound of my voice. She squinted at me for a moment before her eyes widened in recognition.

"Valerie?" she gasped, standing up from the bench.

"Is it really you?" My heart was pounding in my chest as I nodded, still in shock at the unexpected encounter.

"Yes, it's me," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

The woman, who I now realized was my mother, rushed towards me and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Oh my God, I can't believe it's really you," she said, tears streaming down her face.

I hugged her back, feeling a mix of emotions. It had been a while since I had seen my mother, and the last time we had spoken, it hadn't ended well.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, pulling back to look at me.

"I'm just out for a picnic with a friend," I replied.

"You are- wow" she commented, looking at my baby bump.

"I guess I really missed a lot of things about you," she muttered.

"Yes I'm pregnant but