I left with Sofía beside me, her head lowered. “It’s okay, Mom,” she whispered. But it wasn’t okay. I had allowed her to be hum:iliated, treated like she didn’t matter. And the worst part was that Elena seemed to enjoy the power she held over all of us.
Over the next few days, the family group chat filled with passive-aggressive messages. Some defended Elena. Others stayed silent, unwilling to choose sides. I didn’t waver: if my daughter wasn’t welcome, neither was I.
Then December arrived—Christmas lights, forced smiles, polite hugs, and conversations that felt rehearsed. Despite everything, we attended the family Christmas dinner. “For tradition’s sake,” my mother insisted. I agreed, because I had been preparing something quietly for weeks. Something small—but powerful.
During the holiday toast, as glasses clinked and carols played in the background, I slipped a white envelope onto the table. Inside was a photograph.