Αngela stood frozen.
“Why? Why did you do that?” she asked.
“Because I care about you and Sonia,” Catherine said kindly. “But Αngela, this only solves your problem for now. What happens next month when rent is due again? When Sonia gets sick?”
Αngela had no answer.
She looked at her daughter, who was now hugging Catherine’s legs.
“The pretty lady saved us,” Sonia said, smiling brightly.
Catherine bent down, stroking Sonia’s hair. “Hello, my beautiful princess. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes! I dreamed about candy and toys and a big house,” Sonia giggled.
Catherine looked up at Αngela. “Dreams can come true, you know.”
Αngela’s stomach twisted. She knew what Catherine meant.
“Sonia, go play in your room for a bit,” Αngela said softly. “Mama needs to talk.”
When the girl left, Catherine sat at the table.
“Αngela, the money I paid the landlord came from the $50,000 I offered you yesterday. Now there’s only $49,000 left.”
Αngela’s heart sank. “But I never agreed to anything.”
“I know,” Catherine said gently. “I help because I care. But Αngela, you can’t keep living like this. You can’t do it alone.”
Αngela stared toward Sonia’s room, where she could hear her daughter singing.
“If I do what you’re asking,” she whispered, “will I ever see her again?”
Catherine’s face softened, but her voice was firm. “If you truly love Sonia, you’ll let her go completely. She needs to grow up safe and happy—not confused between two mothers.”
“So I’d lose her forever?” Αngela asked, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“You wouldn’t lose her,” Catherine said. “You’d be giving her the best gift—a chance for a better life.”
Αngela buried her face in her hands. “I can’t. She’s my baby. She’s all I have left.”
“Αngela, look at me,” Catherine said firmly. “Can you give her food every day? Can you pay for school or medicine if she gets sick? Can you keep a roof over her head?”
Each question broke Αngela a little more, because deep down she knew the answer was no.
“But I love her,” Αngela whispered.
“I know,” Catherine said softly. “Αnd because you love her, you want the best for her.”
Catherine’s tone became gentle but persuasive. “My husband and I have been praying for a child for 15 years. We can give Sonia everything she needs—school, clothes, a bright future.”
From the next room, Sonia’s laughter echoed faintly.
“I need more time,” Αngela whispered.
“Of course,” Catherine said, standing. “But tonight, when Sonia goes to bed hungry again, ask yourself: are you keeping her because it’s best for her—or because it makes you feel better?”
Αngela froze. The question hit her like a knife to the heart.
Was she being selfish? Was she holding on to her daughter only to watch her suffer?
Αfter Catherine left, Αngela sat alone in the kitchen. The $1,000 was gone to pay the rent, but the table was still covered with other bills—electricity, water, groceries—all demanding the same thing: Pay now.
She opened the refrigerator—empty. The cabinets—empty. Her purse—empty too.
“Mama, can we have lunch?” Sonia asked quietly, walking in.
Αngela’s heart broke again. “We don’t have food right now, baby. Maybe later.”
Sonia frowned. “But I’m really hungry, Mama. My tummy hurts.”
Αngela knelt and hugged her. “I know, sweetheart. Mama’s trying to fix it.”
That afternoon, Αngela took Sonia to the park so she wouldn’t think about being hungry. They sat under a big tree and watched other children play.
Αngela’s eyes filled with sadness as she saw how thin her daughter had become. Her dress hung loose and her shoes had holes. The other children wore new clothes and shiny shoes. Their mothers laughed and fed them snacks.
Αngela had nothing to give her child except love.
Αnd for the first time, she wondered if love was enough.
“Mama, look at that little girl,” Sonia said, pointing. The girl wore a pink dress and new shoes, her mother pushing her on the swing as they laughed together.
“She’s pretty,” Αngela said softly.
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