Darlene calmly asked to see Ava’s ticket—then let it “accidentally” fly out the window. Ava panicked. Willa slammed on the brakes. Darlene simply said, “Maybe fate didn’t want you to go.” Willa didn’t scream. Instead, she turned the car around. “You go ahead,” she told Darlene. “Ava and I willfigure something else out.” And they did. Pancakes. Aquariums. Laughter. No planes,

no resorts—just magic in the quiet, simple moments of being together. Meanwhile, karma found Darlene. She tripped at a market, sprained her wrist, lost her passport, and spent days in a rundown motel. Willa didn’t gloat. She just smiled, knowing peace had its own way of arriving. When Darlene returned, Nolan met her at the door. “You’re not welcome here,” he said gently but firmly. “Not until you apologize. Willa and Ava are my family.” That was all Willa ever needed—love, respect, and a home where her daughter was finally seen. And this time, they had it.