Chapter 8 - An Unexpected Olive Branch
A month passed with absolute silence from Vanessa and Mom. No texts, no missed calls, no toxic drop-ins. It was bliss.
Then, an unexpected email landed in my inbox.
It was from Aunt Sarah—Mom’s sister, who lived two states away and usually stayed out of family politics. She had heard snippets of what happened from a cousin and wanted the full story.
I replied with the unvarnished truth, including photos of Emma crying in her blue tulle dress versus smiling by her rebuilt castle cake.
Two days later, Aunt Sarah called me directly.
"I always knew your mother enabled Vanessa too much," Sarah sighed over the phone. "But this crosses every line imaginable. I’m coming to visit next weekend, and I want to take you and Emma out for a proper dinner—on me. No Vanessa allowed."
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It felt surreal to have a family member validate my stance.
"We’d love that, Aunt Sarah," I said, smiling.
