“Thank you all for being here,” Michael began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “Today isn’t just my birthday—I’m celebrating all of you and especially my amazing daughter, Sophie.”

The crowd clapped, and Sophie’s face lit up with pure joy. In that moment, surrounded by love and acceptance, the shadows Evelyn had cast seemed to fade.

When the party was over and the guests had departed, Sophie nestled between us on the couch, her eyes heavy with sleep. Michael wrapped an arm around us both. “This is our family,” he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

I nodded, knowing that while Evelyn might never embrace Sophie as family, it didn’t matter. We had our circle, one built on genuine love and resilience, and it was more than enough. For Sophie and for us, it would always be enough.