Chapter 11 - THE FAVORITE CHILD
Linda’s favoritism was not random.
It was architecture.
Sophie got:
the heirloom bracelet,
the annual solo album,
the “first granddaughter” chair,
the first gift opened at Christmas.
These were invented traditions.
Symbols.
Linda believed symbols would make Sophie secure.
Instead they made Mia visibly second.
Then Sophie’s therapist asked Linda:
“What happens if Sophie is not first?”
Linda answered:
“Nothing.”
The therapist waited.
Linda broke.
“Vanessa might feel like she failed again.”
There it was.
Sophie’s rank protected Vanessa from shame.
Not Sophie from danger.
Then Rachel asked:
“What does Mia represent to you?”
Linda said:
“Nothing.”
Too fast.
Rachel waited.
Linda whispered:
“The life Vanessa thought she would have.”
Stable marriage.
Biological child.
Ordinary family.
Mia represented comparison.
Not because of anything Mia did.
By existing.
Rachel finally understood why Linda could love Mia and still resent her presence.
May you like
Mia was not the enemy.
She was a reminder.
