As I drove to the hospital, my heart was full. I couldn’t stop smiling. Today was the day I finally got to bring my baby girls home.

e—”

“Don’t!” I snapped. “You never liked her. You always had something to say, some little jab to throw.”

“I only ever meant to protect you,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I didn’t think—”

Later that night, I searched through some of Suzie’s things, desperate for answers. That’s when I found it—a letter in my mother’s handwriting.

“Suzie, you’re not good enough for Ben. You’ve tricked him with this pregnancy, but I see through you. If you care about them, you’ll leave now, before it’s too late.”

It was nearly midnight, but I didn’t hesitate. I stormed down the hall and banged on my mother’s door until she opened it.

“How could you?” I demanded.

“All this time, I thought you were just overprotective. But you’ve been cruel. You’ve been tearing her down for years, haven’t you?”

She paled as she read the letter. “Ben, please… let me explain—”

“No. I don’t want excuses.”