Chapter 11

The day after I told the truth, my mother came to see me. She sat across from me, separated by a thick pane of glass. Her eyes were swollen and red, her expression unreadable as she stared at me—**long and hard.** I knew she hated me. Not for lying. But for **destroying** the illusion of a warm, loving family she had spent years desperately trying to build. The ache in my stomach sharpened, twisting violently, but I forced myself to pick up the receiver. *"Sorry, Mom."* Sorry...