She nodded, but her eyes remained clouded with doubt and worry. I knew then that this wasn’t just about a child’s fear of change. It was about the trust she was struggling to find in someone new, someone who was stepping into a role that had been left empty by a loss we both still felt every day.

Taking a deep breath, I made a decision. I stood up and looked over at Claire, who was chatting with guests, unaware of the turmoil that was unfolding. I approached her, gently excusing us from the conversation.