‘And tomorrow, I’ll remember breakfast too.’

He laughed, pulled up his blanket, and went to sleep.

That was the moment I understood what had really changed.

No judge had given us an instant happy ending.

The court had given us a chance.

The children had given me their trust slowly, in pieces, and I had learned to earn it by staying.

I switched off the kitchen light, checked the doors, and set out seven bowls for the morning.

THE END.