Then Darren got married again.
His new wife was named Sarah.
And almost immediately, everyone began telling me how lucky I was.
“You should be relieved,” my sister said. “Some stepmothers barely tolerate their husband’s children.”
“My friend’s ex married someone awful,” a coworker told me. “At least Sarah seems to adore Emma.”
Even Darren said it.
“You should be happy she loves our daughter.”
So I tried to be.
I truly did.
Sarah Seemed Almost Too Perfect
Sarah was warm, patient, and attentive.
She helped Emma with difficult homework assignments. She learned how to braid her hair in the exact style Emma liked. She remembered which books Emma was reading, which classmates she talked about, and which cereal she would refuse to eat even if it was the only food in the house.
At first, I felt relieved.
No mother wants her child to feel ignored or unwelcome in another home.
