Two weeks later, Victor was arrested—caught trying to travel under a fake name. Raya had tipped off police anonymously. She also sent me a photo of Elias at the park that day, with a note: “If you ever want him to know the good side of his father’s family, I’ll be here.” So I wrote back.

We reconnected—slowly. Video calls. Birthday cards. She moved closer. Helped with Elias. Supported me through life’s ups and downs. And became family. Years later, at Elias’s first-grade graduation, he ran into her arms again. This time, I smiled too. Because family isn’t always blood. Sometimes, it returns mid-flight with a bag of pretzels—and never leaves again.