When my mother-in-law, Carol, gifted our adopted daughter, Emma, a giant stuffed elephant, I thought it was an attempt to bond. But what I found hidden inside that toy made my blood run cold—and led to a confrontation I never expected.

We’ve been married for seven years, and a little over a year ago, we adopted Emma. Carol had been distant from Emma since the adoption, often making hurtful comments like, “It’s just different when they’re not your own blood.” I’d hoped time would change things, but it didn’t.