I bought her new sheets.
I put a small lamp on the nightstand because she hated overhead lights.
I moved my inventory shelves for my handmade skincare business into the garage so she would have more closet space.
That was the trust signal I gave her.
Space.
Access.
A place inside my home where she could either become family or show me exactly who she had always been.
Sarah chose the second one.
At first, her comments were small.
Olivia cried too much.
Olivia needed to stop reaching for everything.
Olivia was too attached to me.
Olivia was going to be difficult because girls always were.
Then the comments got sharper.
Tyler needed bigger portions because boys grew strong.
Tyler needed quiet because boys had schoolwork.
Tyler needed the better blanket, the better snack, the extra attention.
Olivia, according to Sarah, needed discipline.
Tyler was Michael’s brother’s son.
