My Daughter Died at 11. Last Week, She Asked Me to Pick Her Up From School

“What?”

“I waited,” she said, her voice breaking. “I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”

Something inside me shattered.

Before I could speak, the door opened behind us.

Neil.

Grace turned slowly.

“Dad?”

He looked at her like he’d seen a ghost.

And that’s when I knew.

He wasn’t surprised she existed.

He was terrified I found her.

I took her hand and walked out.

He followed us, trying to stop me.

“You can’t just take her.”

“Watch me.”

I didn’t go home. I didn’t trust him.

I took Grace to my sister’s house.