It was no longer a symbol of what Margaret owed her family.
It was a reminder of what she had finally given them instead:
not endless money,
not permission to hurt her,
not a life without consequences,
but the chance to become honest enough to deserve her love.
And when Margaret sat down at the table, Daniel placed a glass of water beside her plate before anyone else could.
This time, no one laughed.
This time, everyone understood.
