She smiled at the sleeping twins before sighing. “His father abandoned us. Then someone called Social Services, and they took Mark. I wasn’t allowed visits without supervision. Then there were court dates. Lawyers. I ran out of money.”
“I need to hear your side.”
“Mark said you didn’t fight.”
Her eyes filled, but she didn’t look away. “I sold my car. I worked two jobs. I slept on a friend’s couch for months to pay legal fees. In the end, the judge said stability mattered more than love. I had the latter.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
“I tried. Letters were returned. Phone calls were blocked. When he turned 18, I reached out again. He answered once and said, ‘Stop pretending you care.’ Then he hung up.”
“I sold my car. I worked two jobs.”
The words hit me hard. That sounded like Mark.
“I’ve been sending money because it’s the only way he’ll accept anything from me,” Margaret continued.
“You disguised yourself.”