After her divorce, Willa became careful about who she let into her life—especially around her daughter, Ava. She had learned the hard way that not everyone who promises forever means it. Then Nolan came along. He was patient, kind, and slowly earned both Willa’s and Ava’s trust. He treated Ava like his own daughter, always there when she cried, scraped her knee, or needed comfort. To him, Ava was his child. But Nolan’s mother, Darlene, didn’t see it that way. With her cool smile and veiled insults, she made it clear Ava didn’t belong. She never said anything directly cruel,

but the message was always there—in the missed cupcake, the cold glances, the biting remarks. Then came the trip. Nolan, thrilled after a bonus at work, surprised them with an all-inclusive vacation to the Canary Islands. But just before the flight, a work emergency pulled him to Europe. He asked his mother and sister to help Willa and Ava get to the airport, promising to catch up. On the way, as Ava hummed in the back seat,