Hope's writing career took off.
By twenty-two, she'd published her own novel—different from Lina's work, distinctly her own. Critics praised her fresh voice, her unique perspective, her refusal to be just "Lina's daughter."
"I'm so proud of her," Lina told Kai. "She's doing it herself. On her own terms."
"She learned from the best."
"From both of us. She got your depth, my imagination. She's the best of us."
They watched Hope accept an award, graceful and confident.
"Our little girl," Kai whispered. "All grown up."