She stepped back slightly but kept her hands gently on Addison's arms, her eyes shining with fondness.
"I'm Mila—your cousin. We were very close as children and treated each other like sisters. You even used to protect me when we were growing up," she added with a soft chuckle.
As Mila finally released her, there was a spark of hope and longing in her eyes—clearly waiting, perhaps even yearning, for some flicker of recognition in Addison's expression.
Seeing this, Addison felt a sense of relief wash over her. It reassured her that her first impression of Mila might truly have been right. Pushing aside the strange ache in her heart, she returned the hug and offered Mila a warm, sincere smile.
"Hello, Mila. I'm Addison. Thank you... for staying by my parents' side all these years."
