Chapter 13 - THE MOTHER WHO REFUSED TO LOSE AGAIN
Elena didn't immediately take Isabella away from Margaret.
She understood that the woman had raised her daughter.
Loved her.
Protected her.
And Isabella deserved stability.
They worked with legal professionals and child specialists to arrange a careful transition.
Elena visited regularly.
They talked.
Read books.
Walked beside the lake.
Made Christmas cookies.
And slowly learned each other.
One afternoon, Isabella asked:
“Why didn't you come for me?”
Elena's heart broke.
She knelt.
“Because I was told you had died.”
Isabella stared.
“Really?”
Elena nodded.
“I never stopped loving you.”
The girl looked down.
Then whispered:
“I thought maybe you didn't want me.”
Elena pulled her into her arms.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
She cried.
“I wanted you every single day.”
May you like
Isabella hugged her.
And for the first time in eleven years, Elena held the daughter she'd believed she'd lost forever.
