For a moment, no one spoke.
Then I understood the full shape of Kayla’s lie.
She hadn’t simply pretended her daughters didn’t exist.
She had created imaginary versions of them.
Versions who called.
Visited.
Loved her.
Versions who allowed her to play the role of mother without ever doing the work.
Allison looked toward Kayla.
“You told us you spent Christmas with them three years ago.”
Kayla’s face tightened.
Jennifer found Graham a few minutes later.
“We should talk.”
Kayla immediately stepped between them.
“Today isn’t the right day.”
Jennifer looked directly at her.
“You’ve had twenty years to choose a better one.”
Graham quietly led us into a side room.
Kayla sat opposite him.
Jennifer and Lizzie sat together.
I remained near the door.
Graham didn’t shout.
That somehow made it worse.
He asked one simple question.
“When was the last time you saw your daughters before yesterday?”
