Unity

This weekend feels like a desperately needed reprieve after the emotional crucible of the past week. As I watch Zayn playing joyfully in the backyard with our kids, his rich laughter mingling with their squeals of delight, it's almost possible to forget the dark storm clouds that have gathered over our lives.

Almost...but not quite.

Because no matter how hard I try to immerse myself fully in these tender moments of levity and love, the haunting specter of Candy's traumatized state still clings to the periphery of my consciousness like a merciless poltergeist. I can't shake the anguished images of her hollow, shattered gaze in that hospital bed - can't unhear the venom-laced diatribe lobbed at me by her toxic mother.