Sophie struggled to carry the Christmas tree down the cramped attic stairs, her arms aching and her heart heavy. This was their first Christmas without Frank, and the quiet house felt empty without his laughter and the smell of his coffee. She set the tree down, determined to make the holiday special for her son Matthew, even if she didn’t feel like celebrating.
Lately, things had been hard—especially with her mother-in-law, Rachel, trying to take Matthew away. After tense arguments, Sophie had managed to keep custody, but the tension lingered.
While unpacking decorations, Sophie found the Elf on the Shelf and was hit with memories of Frank. Just then, Rachel showed up unexpectedly, insisting she’d stay to “help.” Sophie resisted, but Rachel made herself at home, constantly criticizing Sophie’s parenting and undermining her.
Sophie’s mother, Liz, soon arrived too, claiming she came to support her daughter. But the household grew even more stressful with both women watching Sophie closely and judging her every move.
One evening, Sophie discovered a hidden camera inside the Elf on the Shelf—recording her and Matthew. Furious, she confronted Rachel, who denied everything. Then Sophie found a receipt proving Liz had bought the camera. Liz admitted she planted it to gather evidence because she thought Sophie wasn’t coping and wanted Matthew to live with her.
Betrayed and exhausted, Sophie kicked Liz out. When Matthew asked where his grandmother had gone, Sophie promised him, tearfully, that no one would ever take him away.
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