Victoria had always dreamed her little girl would grow up with everything she had to go with out. Ballet lessons and blue ribbons. Books and brown fuzzy teddy bears. Sweet vanilla shakes and the warmth of hot chocolate and gooey marshmallows. A starry blanket and the protection of a nightlight to drive away even the most evil monsters.
A mother.
She had tried hard to make sure Sophia learned her manners, firm but always fair. Victoria had devoted her world to her baby. Every shift and every long night was a promise of a better future for them both. She had come so close to crying so many times, but seeing her angel in pigtails with her small lunchbox on the first day of kindergarten made it all worth while.
But that was before she knew.
Sweating, Victoria clutched at the phone trying to remain as quiet as possible. Her angel was hopefully still asleep upstairs in her room.
Victoria was paralyzed. How did she tell the woman on the other end that her daughter was a murderer?