I imagined standing at Christmas dinner and responding fluently.

Everyone laughing.

Ingrid hugging me.

Elisa impressed.

Lukas proud.

Instead, the language had become a window into what they said when they believed I had no voice.

Sometimes knowledge does not bring you closer.

It simply reveals the distance that was already there.

PART 7 — SOPHIA GETS HER OWN LAWYER

Laura insisted Sophia needed separate representation.