The finality in my voice seemed to catch her off guard. Her eyes narrowed, but she hesitated at the edge of my bed, as if reconsidering her strategy. The silence between us stretched taut, laden with years of unsaid words and unresolved conflict.
“Susan, you’re angry, and I get that. But this is about more than just the two of us now. This is about her.” I nodded towards my daughter, who was now nuzzling against me, instinctively seeking comfort. “You can’t keep pushing me away and expect to be a part of her life. She deserves better.”
The steel in my voice must have reached her, because she faltered, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. For a fleeting moment, I saw something in her eyes—was it regret, or merely surprise that I had finally stood my ground?
