My Sister Abandoned Her Baby With Me — Ten Years Later, My Parents Took Me to Court and Regretted It

“I don’t know that either, sweetheart. But no matter what, you and I are a family.”

My parents maintained their distance, visiting perhaps three or four times a year, always with tension and criticism. My mother would bring gifts inappropriate for Lily’s age or interests.

“She should be in ballet by now,” my mother would comment, bringing yet another tutu for a child who preferred dinosaurs and building blocks.

My father remained emotionally unavailable. Lily, sensitive and perceptive, would become quieter during their visits, her natural exuberance dimmed.

Financial stability remained a constant struggle. I took on a second job doing telehealth nursing consultations two evenings a week after Lily was asleep, building a college fund. It meant less sleep for me, but the growing savings account gave me peace of mind.

After years of saving, we took our first real vacation when Lily was six—a trip to Disney World. Watching her face light up made every extra shift worthwhile.

Lily’s artistic talents began to emerge. Her kindergarten teacher noted her unusual attention to detail in drawings. I encouraged this with art supplies and museum visits whenever possible.

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