Chapter 10 - The Peaceful Morning
Tears of pure, overwhelming joy streamed down Natalie’s face. She threw her arms around her grandmother’s neck, hugging her tighter than she ever had before.
Across the room, Mason was still sitting by the Christmas tree. He looked down at his empty hands, sad that his mother had ruined everything, but deeply relieved that the ugly secret was finally out.
Natalie looked up from her grandmother’s shoulder. She saw Mason sitting there, looking completely alone. Natalie didn't hold an ounce of resentment toward him. She knew he was just a kid, caught in his mother's toxic web.
Natalie grabbed her new drawing tablet, stood up in her pale-blue pajamas, and walked over to Mason. She sat down right next to him on the rug and opened the tablet.
"Do you want to help me set it up?" Natalie asked softly, offering him a gentle, forgiving smile.
Mason’s eyes widened in surprise, and then a genuine, relieved smile broke across his face. "Yeah. I’d love to."
May you like
Later that day, Dana’s bags were packed, and she was forced out of the house in utter disgrace. The house finally felt warm, safe, and truly like a home. Adam sat in his armchair, drinking fresh coffee, watching his daughter and stepson peacefully drawing together by the tree, knowing he had finally protected his family.
If your partner stole from your child to spoil their own, would you kick them out on Christmas Day?
