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Then another.
Patricia came out behind Mia, carrying the blanket.
Mia could feel her there before she heard her.
Some people bring warmth into a room.
Patricia brought judgment.
“You married into this family,” Patricia said. “Learn your place.”
Mia turned.
“Patricia, give me the blanket.”
“No.”
“That belongs to my daughter.”
Patricia smiled a little.
“That baby belongs to this family too.”
Evan pulled the strap over the crib panels and tightened it.
The ratchet clicked again and again.
Each sound felt like a small door closing.
Mia stepped toward the truck.
Her slipper touched the top step.
“Evan, I’m asking you one last time,” she said. “Put it back.”
Evan looked up then.
His face was flushed from the cold.
His jaw moved like he was chewing back a sentence.
Patricia moved first.
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