I called my mom right after giving birth to my daughter, but she laughed and said she was too busy with my sister’s birthday party to care.

My mother obeyed too quickly. That was the first thing that unsettled me.

Vanessa stepped closer to the bed. “We need to talk to you.”

“No,” I said. “You need to leave.”

My mother’s mouth tightened. For a moment, I saw the old Patricia—the one who used guilt like a weapon. But then she glanced at Vanessa and seemed to remember why she was there. Her voice softened.

“Melanie, please. Just hear us out.”