The Day It All Fell Apart
It was a gray afternoon when everything changed.
Sophie sat quietly on the front lawn, brushing her doll’s hair, humming softly. Her golden hair shimmered in the sunlight — the one thing she loved most about herself.
Then the front door slammed.
Claudia stormed out, her heels stabbing the grass.
“I told you to clean your room, not sit here like some stray animal!”
Sophie jumped up, clutching her doll. “I was going to—”
“Shut up!” Claudia snapped, eyes blazing. “You need to learn respect.”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of scissors.
Sophie’s heart stopped.
Claudia grabbed a fistful of her long hair.
Her scream split the air:
“Please, Mom, don’t cut my hair!”
