Mud had already swallowed me to the waist when Daniel raised the wooden garden stick over my eight-month-pregnant body.
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Chapter 21 / 27
Chapter 21 - NORA LEARNS TO WALK
Nora’s first steps happened in Claire’s living room.
Not mine.
I had bought a townhouse after selling the marital house.
Daniel’s name remained on the old property until divorce settlement.
I wanted somewhere without the trench.
For months, I felt ashamed of that.
Then stopped.
I did not owe geography bravery.
Nora stood holding Claire’s coffee table.
One step.
Two.
Fell.
Laughed.
Claire shouted:
“I taught her.”
“You literally did nothing.”
“Emotional coaching.”
Nora walked toward me.
No trust lawyer.
No photographer.
No Carter family audience.
May you like
Just a toddler choosing a direction.
That image became more meaningful than any share certificate.
