Chapter 16 - Mother's BargainMy mother didn't suddenly become brave. She became frightened.

She sat in a conference room with an attorney and asked whether her cooperation could protect her from scrutiny of the family accounts. The investigator made no promises.

Naomi obtained a summary of her voluntary statement through the proper channels. My mother claimed she'd seen Sarah shove Mia, and that she'd lied to guests immediately afterward because she didn't want the wedding ruined. She also admitted hearing my father discuss removing Grandfather's records.

"She watched me beg for a medic," I said. "Then she hit me."

Naomi nodded. "Her statement doesn't erase that."

My mother requested a private call. I declined at first, then agreed to a brief lawyer-supervised conversation, not because I owed her one, but because I wanted to hear whether she could finally speak about Mia as a person.

"Elena," she began, "your father didn't tell me everything."

"You knew enough to stop him from hitting my child."

"I panicked."

"Mia was unconscious. You complained about a dress."

Tears spilled down her cheeks. "I don't know how to fix this."

"You can't fix it with an apology on demand. You can tell investigators the truth, leave Mia alone, and change how you live."

"Will you ever forgive me?"

"I don't know. And that's not a question I'm answering for your comfort today."

For the first time, she didn't argue.

That evening, Lily called. We spoke awkwardly about ordinary things: bad coffee, college classes, the Seattle rain. She worked as a physical therapy assistant and loved old detective novels. Her mother had raised her to be cautious with promises.

"I always thought you had everything," she said.

"I thought you didn't exist," I answered. "I guess he kept us both in the dark."

We fell quiet, then laughed at the strange honesty of it.

"I'd like to meet you," Lily said. "When you're ready."

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"I would too."

Before hanging up, she hesitated. "Elena, there's one more thing. Dad called me this morning. He said if I testified, your daughter would be the next person he took something from."