Lauren was painting herself as a hero — while erasing me from Mom’s story. I gathered every piece of evidence: photos, voicemails, visitor logs, and care documents. With a lawyer’s help, I filed for emergency guardianship. In court, Lauren played the doting daughter. But I had proof — and my mother’s own,

voicemail calling me her only visitor. The judge ruled in my favor. I brought Mom home to her nursing facility, hung her favorite robin calendar back up, and gave her fresh muffins. She looked at me and whispered, “You came.” “I always will,” I said. Because love isn’t about the spotlight. It’s about showing up — every day, no matter what.