Two years after losing my wife, I remarried Amelia, a kind woman who brought warmth to both my life and my daughter, Sophie. Everything seemed perfect until one night after a business trip, Sophie confided that Amelia was acting differently when I wasn’t around. She said Amelia locked herself in the attic, and Sophie was scared by strange noises and her sudden meanness.
I decided to investigate, and to my surprise, I discovered the attic had been transformed into a beautiful space for Sophie. Amelia explained that she had tried too hard to be a perfect stepmom, channeling her own strict upbringing, and had forgotten that Sophie just needed love and fun. Amelia apologized, and the next day, she and Sophie shared ice cream and tea parties in the attic. Sophie’s fears were eased, and our family began to heal.