Tania smiled down at Grace as they strolled through the garden. It was a warm, breezy weekend afternoon, and the sound of Grace’s laughter filled the air. Her tiny hands reached for the colorful flowers around them, her innocent joy radiating through the yard. For a moment, Tania felt a twinge of something she hadn’t felt in a long time contentment. But it was fleeting. Behind her smile, Tania’s mind was already scheming.
"Look, Mommy!" Grace squealed, pointing at a butterfly flitting nearby.
Tania crouched beside her, her eyes softening. "It’s beautiful, sweetheart. Just like you." She brushed a hand through Grace's hair, but her smile was calculating. Tania had other motives for this sweet mother-daughter bonding. She slipped her phone from her pocket, snapping a picture of Grace as sh
