“We buried an empty box because you decided grief was easier to manage than truth.”
Mom looked toward Rowan.
“I found you a good home. Parents who loved you before they met you. They had money. They could focus just on you.”
Rowan recoiled slightly.
“You told them I wasn’t wanted. You told them that my parents had given me up because they didn’t want another mouth to feed.”
“I said your mother couldn’t raise you.”
“I could have,” I said. “Tired mothers are still mothers.”
Riley stared at her.
“Grandma, did you know he was alive this whole time?”
She didn’t respond.
When she reached toward Rex, he moved away.
“Don’t.”
“Rex, honey.”
“No. You don’t get to touch us right now.”
I pointed toward the side gate.
“Leave.”
“Dawn, please.”
“All contact goes through a lawyer.”
Her eyes widened.
“You’re cutting me off from my family?”
