At Christmas, Rosalind placed letters beneath everyone’s plates explaining it would be the last holiday she hosted. She listed years of moments when relatives had treated Wren as someone who was only “almost” part of the family.
Rosalind and Bennett then moved three hours away, where Wren started at a smaller school with a strong art program. For the first time, she found people who valued her talent without making her prove she belonged.
Over time, some relatives began making an effort, including Delphine. But Rosalind realized she did not need apologies as much as she needed to protect her daughter. After years of quiet exclusion, she finally chose Wren over everyone else’s comfort.
