Raymond stood frozen for a moment, his breath caught in his throat. Then he said slowly, in disbelief, "So it really is you… Sandra Stone?"
Sandra turned toward him, clutching the inhaler and Emma's bag tightly in her hand. Her face was older, worn by time, but her eyes didn't change, beautiful as always. "Yes, Raymond Carter. It's me," she said softly.
Raymond blinked, his voice started rising with emotion. "What… what are you doing here, Sandra? What the hell are you doing here?" His voice cracked, a bitter laugh escaping his throat. "The gods. Just the gods… After all these years, this is how you show up? In a hospital, casually walking around like you never left? Why now? Why now?"
Sandra didn't back away. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were full of tears. "So I'm forbidden to see my children now? I'm forbidden to look after them?" she asked, her voice shaking.
