Zain's unexpected question caught Joanna off guard.
After a beat, she worked out his intentions.
Before Joanna could respond, Zain locked eyes with her through the mirror's reflection. "Don't you want to?"
Joanna rushed to clarify, "It's not that. I'm just wondering... I'm not her biological mother. How can I step into her real mom's shoes?"
Zain gently untangled her hair from the zipper, smoothing the strands as he spoke. "Carry loves you to pieces, and truthfully, you're more maternal to her than anyone."
The smile vanished from her face the instant Zain posed the question.
She'd endured so much to hear those words, yet now that the moment arrived, joy eluded her completely.
Stepping into the role of stepmother was only the beginning—what about her own ambitions?
Noticing Joanna's distant expression, Zain called softly, "Joanna?"
Joanna returned to the present and whispered, "Am I really capable of this?"
Zain's warm smile reached her through their mirror reflection.
