Liam Winston's long-lost love Sophia Sullivan was currently driving along a winding mountain road.
She had no time to dwell on the Sullivan family's conflicts.
The silver mask lay quietly on the passenger seat.
Sophia gripped the steering wheel with determination.
Her destination was the mountaintop sanatorium.
That was where Mrs. Sullivan resided.
The secluded facility had tight security.
Sophia had originally planned just to scout the location.
Night deepened.
The treacherous mountain path grew more difficult.
Suddenly, a hunched figure appeared in her headlights.
Sophia slammed the brakes.
Tires screeched against the asphalt.
The headlights illuminated a deeply wrinkled face.
Sophia's pupils contracted.
It was Mrs. Sullivan.
The elderly woman stood alone in the middle of the road.
She carried a woven bamboo basket filled with wildflowers.
Her eyes looked dazed as she mumbled to herself.
"Where am I?"
Sophia immediately stepped out of the car.
"Grandmother, let me take you back."
The old woman retreated warily.
"I don't know you."
Sophia slowed her approach.
She noticed the small trowel in Mrs. Sullivan's hand.
And the mud-stained shoes.
She must have sneaked out.
"I'm Lily's friend," Sophia said softly.
Mrs. Sullivan's eyes suddenly widened.
"Lily?"
She shuffled closer with trembling steps.
Her bony fingers brushed Sophia's cheek.
"You are Lily."
The old woman plucked a wildflower from her basket.
With great care, she tucked it behind Sophia's ear.
"Still so beautiful."
Sophia's heartbeat quickened.
Lily had been her mother's childhood name.
Only close family members knew that nickname.
Suppressing her excitement, Sophia gently guided the conversation.
"When did you last see Lily?"
Mrs. Sullivan shook her head blankly.
"I can't remember."
Sophia sighed inwardly.
Alzheimer's had shattered the woman's memories.
But one thing became clear.
Mrs. Sullivan had indeed known her mother.
And their relationship had been significant.
The priority now was ensuring the elderly woman's safety.
Sophia helped Mrs. Sullivan into the car.
While fastening the seatbelt, she spotted the hospital wristband.
The sanatorium must have noticed her disappearance.
They needed to return immediately.
Sophia put on her mask.
The engine roared back to life.
Headlights cut through the darkness.
In the rearview mirror, Mrs. Sullivan played with the wildflowers.
She hummed a disjointed nursery rhyme.
Sophia tightened her grip on the wheel.
Curing Mrs. Sullivan's condition.
That was the key to unraveling her mother's past.
The mountain road still twisted endlessly ahead.
Yet the path forward seemed clearer now.