The room fell silent, every eye fixated on Rosalie as she held out her tablet toward Dolores. My heart pounded in my chest, torn between the urge to scoop up my daughter and shield her from the moment, and the sense that perhaps, just maybe, this was a pivotal turning point. Even Craig, who usually avoided conflict at all costs, seemed to hold his breath alongside me, as if he sensed the importance of what was about to unfold.
Dolores glared down at Rosalie, the disdain etched deeply into her sharp features, yet curiosity flitted in her eyes. With a huff, she took the tablet, her fingers clutching it begrudgingly. Rosalie tapped the play button with a steady hand, and the room was filled with music, soft and gentle, as the video came to life.
On the screen, a series of photos and videos showcased moments of Rosalie’s year. From the time she learned to ride her bike, wobbly but determined, to her proud grin as she displayed her first place ribbon from the school’s science fair. The video showed Rosalie hugging her friends, helping a classmate who had fallen, and even a clip of her reading to our elderly neighbor—a testament to her kind heart.
