Chapter 13 - Lauren’s Counterattack
Lauren didn’t stay quiet for long.
The next day, she sent a long message to several family members (including some cousins and aunts) claiming that I was “mentally unstable,” “turning Grace against the family,” and “making up stories for attention.”
She even suggested that maybe Grace needed “professional help” because she was “prone to exaggeration.”
One of my cousins forwarded the message to me.
I read it twice, then saved it.
That evening, I sat Grace down after dinner.
“Baby,” I said gently, “Aunt Lauren is saying some things about us. Things that aren’t true. I want you to know that no matter what anyone says, I believe you. And I will always believe you.”
Grace looked down at her plate.
“Is she saying I’m a liar again?” she asked quietly.
“Yes,” I said honestly. “But that doesn’t make it true.”
Grace was quiet for a long moment.
Then she said, “I don’t want to go to Grandma’s house anymore. Even if you come with me.”
I reached across the table and held her hand.
“You don’t have to,” I said. “Not ever again if you don’t want to.”
Grace nodded, but her eyes were sad.
“I miss Grandma sometimes,” she whispered. “But I don’t miss how it feels when we’re there.”
I squeezed her hand.
“I know, baby. I know.”
That night, I added Lauren’s latest message to the folder and sent everything to Maya.
She replied quickly: “This is good. Keep collecting. She’s digging her own hole.”
I closed my laptop and went to sit with Grace while she read before bed.
She leaned against me, and I stroked her hair.
Whatever Lauren was trying to do, it wouldn’t work.
Because I wasn’t fighting alone anymore.
May you like
I had the truth.
And I had my daughter.
