Lily shrugged, looking up from her drawing. “A little, but Mommy said it makes me look strong, like a superhero,” she replied.

Evelyn smiled faintly, her heart aching. “You are strong, no matter how your hair looks,” she reassured her granddaughter, pulling her into a warm hug.

Later that morning, Evelyn’s doorbell rang. She opened the door to find Claire standing there, eyes red-rimmed and clutching a bag. “May I come in?” Claire asked, her voice uncharacteristically quiet.