DEBORAH'S POV
"Charlotte needs a father."
The words came out automatically, like a prayer I'd been reciting for so long I'd forgotten what it meant.
"Charlotte needs a mother who's happy and healthy. She needs stability and love and people who don't lie to her about what family looks like."
"I can fix this." I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. "I just need to try harder. Be better. Show him what he's throwing away."
"Debbie, listen to yourself. You sound like..."
"Like what?"
Victoria's expression went soft and sad. "Like your mother."
The comparison hit harder than Elijah's hand had. Mom had spent years making excuses for Dad's behavior, finding ways to blame herself for his coldness, convincing herself that she could love him into being the husband she deserved.
She'd been ruined, still believing it was her fault that their marriage was empty.
"I'm nothing like her," I said, but even I could hear how weak it sounded.
