ARLENE

I watched Daisy step forward, confusion etched across her face, as she wiped grass, mud, and dirt from her clothes.

“Daisy, what are you doing here?” Mirela asked, her tone a mix of irritation and shock.

“I followed you, Mom,” Daisy replied.

“How? When? I didn’t see you tailing me,” Mirela said. Daisy shrugged.

“Let’s just say I learned a thing or two from you about keeping my tracks hidden,” she said, glancing at me as I wiggled my fingers again. Her gaze shifted to the babies, still asleep despite the noise, then back to Mirela. “What are you doing, Mom?”

“What does it look like, genius?” Mirela snapped,...