Read-Along Week 2 - Belonging Is Conditional
The rules aren’t written down—but Allison is learning them fast.
In Chapters 6–10, Allison is pulled deeper into the world of The Firm, a family that looks unified but runs on silent exclusions. Her mother is powerful but unrecognized. Her aunt is competent but discarded. And Allison herself? She’s beginning to suspect she only matters when she plays the part.
This week’s chapters explore what it means to almost belong—at school, in family, in faith.
Everyone says the right things. But the expectations underneath are rigid, unforgiving, and full of holes.
She’s told to trust the system. She’s told the truth doesn’t matter if it’s inconvenient. She’s told her value is in being quiet, obedient, polished. And yet, she doesn’t stop asking questions.
She searches for proof in photo albums. She challenges the school’s fake curriculum. She pushes back, politely, against Tomas and his carefully worded threats. And, she notices what people won’t say, and why.
In these chapters, we see how identity can be erased without force. Not through punishment, but through silence, side comments, polite omissions. Belonging becomes a reward.
When have you felt like you had to earn your place in a group? What moments in these chapters felt especially familiar or unsettling?
📖 You can still join the read-along!
Grab A Ward of the State for just $2.99, available directly from the author:
https://www.mewright.com/store/p/a-ward-of-the-state-the-unborn-child-protection-act-book-3
