With tears in our eyes, Evan and I stayed up late, rebuilding the crib and restoring Grace’s room as best we could. The next morning, we blocked Patricia’s number and called my aunt for help.

She arrived with family and paint supplies, and together, we worked to bring the nursery back to life, covering the dark blue walls with the soft sage green we had chosen. Patricia later returned with a mediator, but Evan refused to let her back into our lives.