The afternoon sun glittered across the water as the Sterling family arrived at the yacht club.
Rose and Ruby could barely contain their excitement. They hurried toward the boats, laughing as staff members prepared life jackets for the children.
Daisy followed more slowly, holding Elena’s hand.
William had been called away to handle an urgent business matter, leaving the children under the supervision of the club staff and Margaret.
Before long, the children began dividing themselves into teams for a water activity.
Rose pointed toward Daisy.
“I don’t want her on our team!”
Ruby frowned. “Why not?”
“Because she’s always acting like a baby. And everyone knows Elena isn’t even our real mother!”
The laughter stopped.
Daisy’s fingers tightened around Elena’s hand.
Margaret, standing nearby, did nothing to correct the cruelty. Instead, she looked at Elena as though the incident proved her point.
Elena crouched beside Daisy.
“Look at me, sweetheart. You don’t have to earn anyone’s love by being chosen first.”
“But they don’t want me,” Daisy whispered.
“Then we’ll remind them that kindness matters more than winning.”
Across the dock, Rose and Ruby climbed into a small boat with the other children. The staff checked their life jackets and prepared the vessel for a supervised activity near the shallow water.
Daisy stayed behind, watching silently.
Then a sudden commotion broke out.
Ruby slipped while stepping into the shallows, splashing water everywhere. Although a nearby staff member quickly reached her, the frightened little girl began crying.
Elena rushed toward the water.
“Ruby! Hold on, sweetheart!”
The staff member helped Ruby safely back onto the dock, where Elena wrapped her in a towel and checked that she was all right.
William returned just as Ruby clung to Elena, trembling.
“What happened?” he demanded.
Before anyone could answer, Daisy stepped forward.
“Daddy, Grandma said Elena doesn’t belong here.”
William turned toward his mother.
Margaret’s face went pale.
“Daisy, you misunderstood—”
“No,” William interrupted. “I think it’s time everyone told the truth.”
His eyes moved toward Elena, who stood holding Ruby while Daisy pressed herself against her side.
Then he asked a question that silenced the entire dock.
“Mother, what exactly have you been telling my children about the woman who has cared for them?”
To be continued…
