When I confronted her, I collapsed again. The truth unraveled later: my birth mother left when I was a baby, and Mom—my mom—stepped in and raised me as her own. I was furious. Heartbroken. Then my heart gave out for real.

When I woke, Dad sat beside me, tears in his eyes.

“She gave you her heart,” he whispered.

Mom had died to save me. She left a letter:

“You are my heart. Now, quite literally. I will always be with you.”

I sobbed, holding her words close. She gave me life—twice. And I will carry her love in every heartbeat.