"I think so."
Mara considered the request.
Then smiled gently.
"We can talk with Daddy and Dr. Walker about how to do that."
The girl looked relieved.
"Okay."
She returned to her drawing.
For a few minutes, neither spoke.
Then Sophie asked, "Can I still love Grandma even if I'm mad?"
Mara touched her daughter's shoulder.
"Yes."
Sophie looked up.
"You can?"
"Of course."
The little girl smiled faintly.
Mara continued.
"You don't have to stop loving someone just because you need them to behave differently."
Sophie thought about that.
Then returned to her picture.
Mara watched her for a moment.
Her daughter was learning lessons that many adults never fully understood.
Love did not erase wrongdoing.
Anger did not erase affection.
Forgiveness was not a debt.
And safety mattered more than appearances.
Mara wished Sophie had learned those lessons under gentler circumstances.
But she was determined that the girl would not have to pretend everything was fine simply because the family wanted a beautiful holiday photograph.
Daniel and Mara discussed a possible future relationship between Sophie and Evelyn with Dr. Walker.
The counselor recommended an age-appropriate process centered on Sophie's needs, with clear boundaries established by both parents.
Daniel agreed.
Mara did too.
They decided against a holiday reunion staged for appearances.
Instead, they allowed Sophie to send a drawing and a short letter.
Mara helped her write it.
The little girl worked carefully, sounding out words as she went.
Dear Grandma,
I miss you.
I got scared at the party.
I didn't mean to make everybody mad.
Daddy says it wasn't my fault.
I hope you tell the truth now.
Love, Sophie.
Mara read it twice.
Her eyes filled.
Daniel received a photograph of the letter before it was sent.
He called Mara.
"She wrote that?"
"Yes."
His voice broke.
"She's seven."
"I know."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Daniel said quietly, "I wish she didn't have to understand any of this."
Mara looked toward her daughter's drawing.
"So do I."
He took a breath.
"Thank you for helping her."
Mara nodded.
"Of course."
Then she added something that surprised