Flash forward to Emma’s birthday party. Karen’s snide remarks had lost their sting over time, but I wasn’t prepared for the moment when Sophie and James walked through the door. Sophie’s joyful shout of “Mommy!” cut through the laughter like a knife, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.

For a moment, I stood frozen, processing the scene: Karen’s shocked expression, the wide-eyed stares of relatives, and the confounded looks exchanged around the room. Everything seemed to pause as Sophie’s little feet carried her swiftly to my side, her arms wrapping around my legs in a tight hug.James followed closely behind, offering a supportive smile as he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, grounding me in the moment. I kneeled down to Sophie’s level, wrapping my arms around her, the rest of the room fading into the background.“Hey, sweetheart,” I said softly, meeting her bright eyes. “Did you have fun at the party?”