essing the impossible. I could hear Chloe

locket? Did I say something wron

about nursing school. Her answers w

the snob Ethan described. He said she'd

Chloe's hand. He was a master performer. I watched him, really watched him, for the first tim

, Ethan helped m

" he asked, his tone cas

girl," I said carefully, my e

"Yeah, she is. But her f

shing. "What

rially. "Very protective. They don't think a junior loan of

eart starting to beat a li

down as if embarrassed. "To prove I can provide for her. The

0. The exact amount he claimed Chloe had stolen

have access to it. I was thinking... maybe you could liquidate your retirement account? Just for a day. I'll s

e was so elaborate, so specific. It was the

ving, trusting mother. I would hav

't that wo

gerously calm. "Why don't we have Chloe over for din

"Really, Mom? You

ing back to the sink. "I'd do a

om behind, sque

best mom i

eading dread. The trap wasn't