We arrived to find her by the fence, clutching the gold-wrapped gift, cheeks blotchy, dress stained with grass. Michael held her while I went inside.
Me: “Why is my daughter outside?”
Evelyn: “She is not part of this family. This party is for family and friends.”
Anna murmured, “We let Evelyn decide…”
Me: “You left a little girl alone so you could eat cake? You see my child as a stranger? Shame on you both.”
I turned and walked out before my fury boiled over.
Sophie clung to Michael all the way home, occasionally reaching to touch my shoulder. I sat in the backseat with them, telling her over and over that she was safe and had done nothing wrong.
That afternoon, we took her for chocolate ice cream with sprinkles. That night, she chose a movie, curled between us under a blanket, and drifted into sleep.
