Chapter 3

Clara loved stuffed animals, but I never let her have one. I was worried she'd start feeling insecure about her illness, so I pretended that toy cars were just as cool as plushies.

She loved flowers, but I wouldn't let her keep any because pollen was one of her allergens. But when I saw her looking so sad, eyes brimming with tears, my heart softened. In the end, I bought her a mimosa.

Back then, I stroked her hair, swallowing the ache in my chest as I told her, "It's totally fine for girls to have a mimosa. See how…