na

en, the "fun" things I, in my past "overbearing" state, had restricted. I remembered countless battles over a simple cookie, a small candy. Back then, my heart had ached with worry, my stomach twisted with anxiety. I had been vigilant, almost desperate i

that I was "too strict"-I felt a detached validation. My past self, the one driven by a desperate, anxious love, had been right all along. S

n's ward. A small, familiar figure with a tangled mass of dark hair sat quietly

ting up. She launched herself at me,

la, sweetie!" I knelt, hugging her back. Her warmth, her unadulterated affection,

fellow patient, at the facility where I had been held. During those blank months, he had been an anchor, offeri

ou," he said, his smile genui

explained, the words coming out eas

licker of concern. "Oh, th

replied. "But what about

etter! She's just a bit lonely without

ering on me. "She seemed to brighten up whenever you were

echo of a feeling, not the intense, suffocating emotions

me simple embroidery. We spent hours together, me, a blank slate, and her, a reposito

vier said, a slight hesitation in his voice. "I was w

k now." I chose to omit the details of the 'why' and 'how,' the fo

ing well, truly." He seemed to catch himself, realizing his intensity. "I mean, it's good you

e sound that surprised even me. "It's alr

his hand. Bianca trailed behind them, her expression a mix of concern and veiled triumph. Karl's eyes scanned the wait

ease, my genuine amusement with Javier. It was a stark contrast to the distant, p

ped, his voice tight with barely contained

checking on him, Karl." I walked towards Koby, reaching for

gs. He pointed a trembling finger at Javier

lly. "Koby, this is J

Koby wailed, his voice accusing.

the parental alienation. Karl had been at work, turning Koby against me even befor

o away! You're not my mom!" He pushed at me wi

erce me. But the scene was becoming a spectacle. I looked at Karl, whos

l said, his voice dripping with condescension. He shot a m

ack, a look of concern etched on his face. "Alena, I'll go. Call me if you need

hat turned heads in the waiting room. "Mommy! Don't leave! Don

ng the kitchen argument months ago. He was a child drowning in a war he didn't start. But the trauma had hardened me. The raw, guttural sound of his sorrow, once my undoing, now hit a wall of indifference. I turned and walked away, not lookin

r of doubt that Koby's allegiance to B