He had never considered what those words sounded like to a child who loved her mother.
He took Lily’s little hands.
“Listen to me. Your mother is one of the best people I know. She works hard, she loves you more than anything, and she makes our house a wonderful place to live.”
Lily studied his face.
“Then why doesn’t Grandma like her?”
Daniel struggled to answer.
“Sometimes grown-ups behave badly because they want to feel important. That doesn’t mean the person they’re hurting has done anything wrong.”
Lily leaned forward and hugged him.
He held her tightly.
Over her shoulder, he met Hannah’s eyes.
For the first time that afternoon, he looked ashamed for the right reasons.
Not because his mother was angry.
Because he had failed to protect his family.
The party continued.
Lily opened her presents, played games with her friends, and ate a second slice of cake.
By the time the final guest left, the house was littered with wrapping paper, balloons, and empty cups.
Hannah began clearing the table.
Daniel reached for the dishes.
“I’ll do that,” he said.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
He stood beside her for a moment before speaking again.
“I was wrong today.”
Hannah continued stacking plates.
“Yes, you were.”
“I should have stopped Mom the first time she insulted the cake.”
“Yes.”
“I should have stopped her years ago.”
Hannah finally looked at him.
“Yes.”
