Common sense, what little remained in the fragile state of her already frayed mind, demanded that the welfare of Angelica surpassed any selfish desire. There had already been too much pain and suffering both Bette and Tina had endured over the course of the last few years. Bette did not want to subject her angel to the same fate. Her baby deserved so much more.

She was gratified that Tina, still seething from the lawyer’s blunder that had happened earlier–Bette never intended to have the sole custody petition delivered–had even granted this farewell visit, unsupervised. A temporary lapse in judgment on Bette’s part and an hour past the agreed time solidified Tina’s resolve to never allow Bette to have anything to do with her daughter ever again.

As soon as Bette walked in the door, relief washed over Tina’s worried features. Just as quickly, eyes that once shown bright with lovegenerosity, turned to ice, frozen by her former partner’s last ditch act of selfishness. This was the definitive straw, and Tina was sure to make Bette pay in every conceivable way. No one had the right to scare a mother in this dreadful way. No friend or foe, no one.

While mother and daughter bonded for what seemed like an eternity in the foyer–the pair ensconced in their own secure loving world, reigniting the bond they would always share–Bette braced herself for the verbal lambasting that was sure to come from her tardiness. She was ready to hear the reprimands, the verbal abuse, even the threats she had always feared would come true. She wasn’t prepared, however, for the picturesque view displayed mere feet before her, in her own home. Mother and daughter, happy in each other’s embrace, while the replacement tenderly held them close to him, protectively, unyieldingly.

The sight was too much. A burn that seared a scar on the otherwise beautifully unmarred face. The last vestige of hope slipped from her without protest. It was over, and the frail woman knew it was time to leave her place in their lives.

“Bette, how could you?” such venom laced Tina’s voice, her rage was palpable.

Though this was Bette’s doing, she couldn’t meet Tina gaze immediately. Her head was bent, with eyes cast downward staring at the defensive posture her ex-lover donned.