“No. No more waiting. She deserves to know.
She’s my daughter.”
I heard a sharp, slow exhale from Alyssa.
“I’m telling you,” she said, “this could change everything.”
“I don’t care,” Mom whispered. “I’m telling her soon.”
The clip ended there.
I replayed it three times, hoping for context that never appeared. No explanation.
No details. Just a vague threat hanging over my head: This could change everything.
My teacher brain immediately started writing essays about worst-case scenarios. Was Alyssa manipulating her?
Was Mom signing something? Was someone pressuring her about her money?
I barely slept. Mark woke up once and mumbled, “You okay?” and I lied and said, “Yeah, just thinking about lesson plans.”
The following Sunday, I watched the clock until their walk time.
They came back right on schedule.
I stood in the living room pretending to dust.
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