Michael read it out loud, a mix of frustration and resignation in his voice.

“She’s making her choice clear,” I said. “And so are we.”

Despite Evelyn’s absence, the picnic was a celebration of warmth and love. Friends and family who embraced Sophie filled the backyard with laughter and joy. Sophie, in her element, ran around with her cousins, her earlier pain forgotten in the embrace of those who truly cared. Her giggles echoed around us, a sound more comforting than any words.

Michael’s sister, Anna, approached me as the kids played. She looked a bit hesitant but genuinely apologetic. “Laura, I’m so sorry about what happened. I should’ve stood up to Mom.”

“It’s not your fault, Anna. I appreciate you saying this, though. It means a lot,” I replied, offering her a small smile.

“She’s just… stuck in her ways. It doesn’t make it right. Sophie is such a wonderful kid. I hate that she had to go through that.”

We talked a little more, and Anna promised to visit more often with her kids. She wanted Sophie to know she was loved and accepted.

As the sun began to set, Michael lit the candles on his birthday cake. Sophie stood beside him, her eyes sparkling as everyone sang. When Michael blew out the candles, he picked Sophie up and kissed her cheek. “Make a wish, Daddy!” she squealed, her earlier heartbreak now just a distant memory.

“I already have everything I could wish for right here,” he said, glancing at me and then at Sophie.

That evening, after everyone left and Sophie was tucked into bed, Michael and I sat on the porch, the cool breeze wrapping around us. The stars were bright, and the night was quiet, save for the distant hum of crickets.

“I’m proud of you,” I told Michael. “For standing by Sophie, for making her feel loved.”

“She’s my daughter,” he said simply, as if that explained everything.

We sat in silence for a while, enjoying the peace. Despite the day’s happiness, I couldn’t shake the confrontation with Evelyn. It lingered, an unresolved knot.

“We need to talk to her,” I said finally. “Not just for Sophie’s sake, but for yours too.”

“I know,” Michael replied. “But until she’s willing to accept Sophie as part of our family, I don’t want her around.”

It was a hard decision, but one we both needed to make. Sophie deserved a family that cherished her without reservations, and we owed it to her to ensure she had that.

The events of the past weeks had been painful, but they’d also shown us the strength of our family. We were a unit, bound not by blood, but by something even stronger—love and commitment.

As the night deepened, I leaned against Michael, grateful for the life we were building. Whatever came next, I knew we’d face it together, with Sophie at the heart of everything we did.