Sonia wasn’t smiling. She wasn’t playing. She walked quietly beside Catherine, her head down like she was scared to make a sound.
Angela’s hands shook. She wanted to run to her daughter, hold her tight, and take her home—but she remembered her promise to stay away.
The next day, Angela went back again. She told herself it was just to make sure Sonia was happy.
This time, she saw her in the backyard. There were toys everywhere—balls, dolls, even a little swing.
But Sonia wasn’t playing.
She sat on the grass hugging her old teddy bear, the one her father had bought for her as a baby.
Angela’s eyes filled with tears.
Her daughter had everything now—clothes, food, toys—but she looked lonely.
For the next month, Angela came back every few days. Watching from a distance became her only comfort, her only way to breathe.
Then one afternoon, while she was standing behind her usual tree, a cold voice came from behind her.
“I thought I might find you here.”
Angela spun around.
It was Catherine.
Her heart started pounding.
“I—I was just—”
“You were spying on my daughter,” Catherine said sharply.
“She’s my daughter,” Angela said, her voice trembling but firm. “I just wanted to see how she’s doing.”
“She’s fine,” Catherine replied flatly. “She’s adjusting well. But your lurking around here isn’t helping her move on.”
Angela’s face hardened. “She’s only three years old. She doesn’t understand why her mother isn’t there anymore.”
Catherine smirked cruelly. “You didn’t leave her. You sold her for money. Don’t pretend it was anything noble.”
Those words hit Angela like a knife.
