is physical strength returning with ala

ed like a returning queen, all sympathetic

misinterpreted my quiet dignity as co

ing his care, his household, and raising

on Leo and Lily

ect with them. He saw them as pa

d muttered once, loud enough for me t

heir first steps, their first words.

Lily, for their stability. I told him

rned mother. Using the children to secu

s old, toddled up to Ethan as he sa

ure of a stick figure family. "Daddy," she

t, then at her, hi

, how sweet, Ethan

"This is Mommy, this is Leo, this is me,

He looked at me, then back at Lil

, but it was harsh, ed

ered. Her lower li

d, his irritation growing. "Go play som

looked from Ethan to me, her small

for a father. For the d

got this co

rd. "Ethan, th

y when it' s enough. She needs to l

I said, my voice tight. "S

y, was a shock. He didn' t just dislike

taught to be manipulativ

eartbroken sound. She ran to me

ng – annoyance? Discomfort? – in hi

eir hearts, and he