My husband pushed me down the stairs, and as I lay shattered at the bottom, my mother-in-law called my father and said, “Come get your worthless daughter and take her back.” Dad gave her only one warning: “If she has so much as a scratch, your family will answer for it.” They laughed at him because they had absolutely no idea who my father truly was.

I had kept a doorway open between my daughter and me.

For now, that was everything.

PART 7

Lily’s first visit took place two days later at a family-services center with bright murals of animals on the walls.

A staff member explained that the meeting would be observed and that no one should question Lily about the dispute.

I agreed.

Then I sat at a child-sized table and waited.

When Lily entered, she was carrying a stuffed fox by one ear.