Madeline:
“It’s not like that,” I stuttered as I looked at their innocent faces, waiting for me to respond.
“It’s okay, Mommy, you don’t have to answer us. But I’m glad you left that place. We already got the answers when we saw how they treated you,” Elara said, surprising me with her maturity.
I broke down in front of them, trying to smile through my tears.
“Mommy, please don’t cry.”
Bodhi got up and held my hand, guiding me to sit on his bed.
The others came closer and hugged me.
“You don’t need them, Mommy. You have us,” they said together.
Their words filled me with warmth, realizing my children were more mature than the family I had once depended on.
It comforted me in a way I hadn’t expected. I decided then, I would stop thinking about them.
After taking care of my kids, I
