Joy currently didn't look like the scary Saint of Judgment. Not the cold executioner.
Just Joy, a daughter who loved her mother and sincerely wished her a happy life.
Maria's tears broke free.
She had been so afraid. So terrified that Joy would reject her, push her away, tell her she was wrong.
But instead, her daughter had accepted it. With grace. With love.
She couldn't hold back anymore.
She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Joy, hugging her tightly.
"Joy...Joy...Joy!"
She rushed forward and hugged her daughter tightly.
"Thank you! My daughter, my adorable little baby girl! Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Joy froze in surprise.
"I thought you would deny it!" Maria sobbed into her shoulder. "I thought you wouldn't accept it at all! I was so scared that our relationship would break apart because of this!"
"But to think that you would actually accept it—"
She pulled back, tears streaming down her face.
