We sat in silence for a while, enjoying the peace. Despite the day’s happiness, I couldn’t shake the confrontation with Evelyn. It lingered, an unresolved knot.

“We need to talk to her,” I said finally. “Not just for Sophie’s sake, but for yours too.”

“I know,” Michael replied. “But until she’s willing to accept Sophie as part of our family, I don’t want her around.”

It was a hard decision, but one we both needed to make. Sophie deserved a family that cherished her without reservations, and we owed it to her to ensure she had that.