I stood there, numb, watching the daughter I'd nearly died bringing into this world. My heart didn't just break. It crumbled to dust.

"Ellie, stop it! That's your mother!" Luke yanked Eleanor back and turned to me, his expression strained. "Go stay at your parents' place for a while. Cool off, then come back."

The house went so quiet it was suffocating.

There was no room for argument in his voice. Every word landed cold as ice.

My mind lurched back to our wedding day.

He'd held my hand so tightly, his eyes burning with sincerity, every syllable deliberate.

"Marlene, I'm going to spend my life protecting you and this little family of ours. I will never let anyone hurt you."

Back then, he'd said this home was our foundation. That nothing could tear us apart. That he'd keep me safe, give me stability.

Ten years. That was all it took for promises to rot into nothing.

For the sake of Sophia Simmons, without asking a single question, he was throwing me out of the home I'd poured my heart into for a decade.

How wonderful.

Sophia lingered behind Luke, and when she lifted her gaze to meet mine, the mask of fragility dissolved in an instant.

Her eyes glittered with undisguised mockery. Triumph.

Her lips curled at the corners, and she mouthed something without a sound.

I read every syllable clearly.

Marlene Barnes, you lost.

The meaning behind that expression was unmistakable.

Even my daughter, the one I'd nearly bled out on the operating table to deliver, had chosen her side.

I was nothing.

I glanced at the security camera tucked in the corner of the living room, picked up my car keys, and walked out.

Sitting in my car, I swiped through the security feed on my phone.

On the screen, Sophia trailed behind Luke, playing up her helplessness. Then she stumbled, letting out a soft gasp.

"Luke, I feel so dizzy, and my back hurts so bad. Could you carry me upstairs? Please?"

Luke's brow furrowed deeply. "I'll have Agatha Chavez help you up. Get some rest."

The amusement in Sophia's eyes dimmed, but she swapped it out instantly for a wounded look, her eyes rimming red.

"Did I do something to upset you? Did you actually believe what Marlene said? Are you blaming me too?"

"No." Luke's tone softened. "Just rest. Don't overthink it."

Sophia lowered her head, fingers twisting at the hem of her shirt. "I know I'll never be anything more than a little sister to you. But I worry about you. I worry that because of me, you and Marlene will keep fighting, and this family will fall apart..."

"That's not for you to worry about."

He turned away.

Behind him, Sophia's expression went ice-cold in an instant. Then she spotted Eleanor in the corner, and her smile melted into something so tender it could drip honey.

"Ellie, look what I brought you. Strawberry candy, your favorite."

Eleanor threw her arms around Sophia's neck and whined sweetly, "Auntie, you're the best! A hundred times better than Mommy! Mommy was mean to you. I'm never talking to her again."

"You're such a good girl, Ellie."

Sophia reached up and stroked Eleanor's hair, her touch gentle. But something calculating flickered behind her eyes.

"Mommy didn't mean it. She was just confused for a moment. I don't blame her, and you shouldn't be too hard on her either, okay?"

"No!" Eleanor shook her head furiously, pouting. "Mommy is a bad person! She wanted the kidnappers to hurt you! I hate her! Auntie, will you stay with me forever? I want to sleep with you and eat with you every day."

"Of course, sweetheart."

Sophia agreed with a warm smile, brushing the stray hairs from Eleanor's forehead. "As long as Ellie wants me, I'll always be right here."

Luke stood a short distance away. He said nothing, just turned and disappeared into the study.

He didn't see the way Sophia's gaze followed him toward the study door, or the flash of desperate hunger beneath that tender mask.

Over the next few days, I stayed at my parents' house. The security camera feed on my phone became something I checked every single day. Sophia had perfected the art of winning people over.

She fussed over Luke constantly.

And she spoiled Ellie rotten.

In the mornings, before Luke left for school, Sophia would already have oatmeal ready, a warm glass of milk waiting, and his tie neatly straightened.

"Luke, the temperature's dropping today. Bundle up, okay? I'll bring you lunch later. All your favorites."

Luke took the milk, his tone flat. "You don't need to do that. The cafeteria's fine. Just stay home and take care of Ellie."

"But I want to." Sophia tugged at his sleeve, her voice turning coy. "There's nothing for me to do here anyway. I just want to see you at work. Please?"

"Sophia." Luke pulled her hand away, his voice firmer now. "You're still recovering. Stay home and rest. Be good."

Her hand froze in midair. A flicker of hurt crossed her eyes, but she buried it quickly, lowering her head. "Okay. I just wanted to do something nice for you. After all, with Mom and Dad gone, you're the only family I have left."

That hit exactly where she'd aimed. His tone softened. "I'm not blaming you. I just worry I can't take proper care of you."

Sophia nodded and didn't push further.

That evening at dinner, Ellie suddenly spoke up between bites.

"Daddy, can Auntie Sophia live with us forever? I don't want her to leave."

Luke glanced at Sophia. She immediately put on a hopeful expression, then pretended to look embarrassed.

"Ellie, don't be silly. If Auntie stays too long, I'll be in you and Daddy and Mommy's way."

"No, you won't!" Ellie shot back instantly. "Mommy isn't even here. It's just me and Daddy, and it's so boring. It's way more fun with Auntie around." She paused, then added, "Besides, Mommy's mean. I don't want her to come back!"

Luke's face darkened. He set down his fork. "Ellie. Don't say things like that. She's your mother."

"I'm not making it up!" Ellie's lip jutted out, her eyes already rimming red. "Mommy bullied Auntie Sophia! I hate her! I only want Auntie. I don't want Mommy!"

Sophia immediately pulled Ellie into her arms, her voice gentle and soothing. "Don't cry, sweetie. Daddy didn't mean to be harsh. Mommy just went away for a little break. Once she feels better, she'll come home."

"I don't want her to come home!" Ellie wailed. "Auntie, don't go! Stay with me forever, okay?"

"Okay. Auntie's not going anywhere. I'll stay with you forever."

Luke looked at his sobbing daughter, then at Sophia, warm and tender and attentive.

In the end, he just sighed and said nothing.