A Mothers Defiance

Sylvie was helping Willa pack her belongings into a small suitcase when they heard the front door slam downstairs. Heavy footsteps echoed through the house, followed by the sound of keys being thrown onto the hallway table.

"Who's that?" Willa's whisper came laced with fear.

Maya ran to the window and looked down at the driveway. "It's Vivian. She came back early."

Sylvie's jaw tightened, but she