**Diary Entry**
I can still hear the shouting ringing in my ears.
*”I’m leaving, and youll never see the child again!”* Emily screamed, her face twisted in anger. *”I want a proper familyno outsiders!”*
*”Emily, calm down!”* Thomas tried to soothe her. *”There are no outsiders in this family. Ellie is our daughter!”*
The words stung worse than the cold draft seeping under the door. I stood there, frozen, clutching the hem of my nightdress. Five years old, and suddenly the world didnt make sense anymore.
*”Tom, lets just send Ellie back to the orphanage.”*
*”Have you lost your mind? Send her back? Shes ours!”*
*”I didnt give birth to her. Shes not mine!”* Emilys voice grew sharper. *”Chooseher or me.”*
I didnt wait to hear the rest. My feet carried me back to my room, tears blurring the way.
The next day, Dad helped me pack. *”Youll stay with Gran for a bit,”* he said, forcing a smile. *”Just until Mum settles. Once the baby comes, shell come round, and well bring you home.”*
I nodded. Anything was better than the orphanage. Grans cottage smelled of lavender and biscuits, and for a while, it almost felt safe.
*”Gran,”* I whispered one evening, *”if Mum never wants me back can I just live with you?”*
Gran gave Dad a sharp look. *”Emilys just hormonal,”* he mumbled.
Gran pulled me close. *”Of course, my love. But your mum will come aroundshes just frightened.”*
Two months passed. Dad visited less, split between work and the hospital where Emily was on bed rest.
Then, one morning, Grans face went pale when his car pulled up too early. She told me to wait in the kitchen, but I heard everything.
*”Emily didnt make it last night. The baby either.”*
Silence. The kind that sinks into your bones.
Later, Dad sat me down. *”Youre coming home, sweetheart.”*
Gran offered to stay with us. Dad just nodded, exhausted.
Home wasnt home anymore. But I tried. School uniforms, shiny shoes, pretending everything was normal.
Then, one evening, Dad walked in with a womansmall, thin, with kind eyes. *”Ellie, this is Sarah. Shell be living with us now.”*
I bolted to my room.
Sarah triedhomework help, cinema trips, even my first bouquet on my birthday. But I wasnt having it. Not until she announced she was pregnant.
I locked myself in, sobbing. *”Ellie, please!”* Sarah begged outside. *”I love you! Youre my daughterId never give you up!”*
Something in her voice cracked my walls. Slowly, I let her in.
Months later, I held my baby brother, laughing at his tiny fists. *”Mum, look how funny he is!”* The word slipped out. Sarah burst into tears.
For a while, we were happy. Then Dad dieda car crash. Sarah and I moved like ghosts, tending to baby Alfie, avoiding each others eyes.
One night, she broke the silence. *”We have to keep living, Ellie.”*
I agreed. But life had other plans.
A woman from social services knocked. *”Ellie, pack your things. Youre going to a childrens home.”*
Sarah fought. *”Im her mother!”*
*”Show me the adoption papers.”*
There were none.
I didnt cry. What was the point?
Sarah visited the home, but I refused to see her. Eventually, she stopped coming.
Then, one day, the headmistress called me in. *”Youve been placed with a family!”*
I scoffed. *”I dont want one.”*
At the entrance, Sarah waited.
*”What are you doing here?”* I asked, numb.
*”Taking you home.”*
*”Ive already been adopted.”*
*”By me.”* She held out a hand. *”Took every penny and favour I had, but I wasnt giving up. Come onAlfie misses you.”*
I hesitated. Then, softly*”Okay Mum.”*
