Scars She Carries, Love She Deserves
The faint scent of lavender and Play-Doh hung in the air — Lila’s therapist kept a basket of modeling clay on a low shelf by the window, next to a tray of tiny animal figurines.
Across from her, Lila perched on the little couch, clutching her latest masterpiece — the same drawing she’d taped proudly on the fridge just days ago: Mommy. Me. Jack. Under a clear blue sky she hadn’t scribbled out. Above Jack’s stick figure, in careful letters, it said: My Safe Dad.
Elena’s throat tightened every time she looked at it.
Lila held the paper out to her therapist, Miss Renee, who always spoke softly but never treated Lila like she was fragile.