Mom, don’t drink from that glass! The new dad PUT SOMETHING IN IT. Mary was in shock hearing these words from her daughter and decided to SWITCH the glasses. What she saw made her hair STAND ON END…..

Life was getting better, slowly but surely. And in this new life, she and Sophie were even closer, even more strongly bound by invisible threads of love and trust. One evening, putting her daughter to bed, Mary sat on the bed edge and gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.

«Sophie, I never told you, but… You saved my life that time at breakfast.» The girl nodded seriously. «I… know, Mom.

How did you guess? How did you understand he was dangerous?» Sophie thought for a moment. «I don’t know. Just felt it.»

He smiled, but his eyes stayed cold. «And also? He never looked at you like Dad did. Dad looked with love, and Victor… like you’re a thing he wants to get.»

Mary was amazed at the depth of this observation. «And I didn’t notice,» she admitted. «I was so caught up in the idea of a new family that I didn’t see the obvious.»

«That’s because you’re very kind, Mom,» Sophie said seriously. «You always see the good in people.» «Is that bad?» «No,» the girl smiled.

«It’s wonderful. Just sometimes you need to be a bit more careful. You know,» Mary took her daughter’s hand, «I think we’re a great team…

You see what I don’t, and I can protect you from anything in the world.» «The best team,» Sophie agreed, yawning widely. «Mom, tell again how you and Dad met.»

And Mary began telling the story Sophie had heard dozens of times but always asked to repeat. The story of the teachers’ college retreat, guitar by the campfire, the clumsy tall guy who couldn’t take his eyes off her, the first kiss under the starry sky. And then Dad said.

«I’ll love you all my life,» Sophie whispered, closing her eyes. Yes, Mary smiled, remembering. And he didn’t lie.

He loved us all his life. And still does, Sophie murmured sleepily. I know.

He watches us from above and smiles. Of course he does, Mary kissed her daughter on the forehead. Sleep, my good girl.

Tomorrow is a new day. When Sophie’s breathing became even and deep, Mary quietly left the room, leaving the door ajar. As she always did since her daughter was a baby.

Went to the kitchen, brewed tea, and settled with a cup by the window. Outside, soft spring snow was falling. The last this season, tomorrow it would melt under April sun rays…