“Aren’t you going to fight for her?”
“If you want Rachel in your life, I’ll deal with my feelings. And if you don’t, nobody gets to force you.”
Hope looked at Rachel.
“I’m not going with you.”
Rachel’s face collapsed.
“I didn’t ask you to leave today.”
“You came here expecting me to.” Hope breathed out slowly. “I don’t hate you. But I told you I’m not ready, and you didn’t listen. How am I supposed to trust you now?”
“I didn’t ask you to leave today.”
Rachel flinched.
Hope stepped closer to me.
“If I ever meet you again, I choose when and where. And you don’t contact Mom behind my back.”
“Okay.”
Then Hope held out her hand.
Rachel looked confused.
“How am I supposed to trust you now?”
“The rabbit.”
Rachel’s face tightened.
“But…”
“Please.”
Rachel stared at Bunny for several seconds before giving him back.
Hope pressed the old stuffed rabbit against her chest.
