Jamie looked to Layla, hope and dread warring in his eyes. “You said my mom died. You said you found me at the hospital waiting for you.”
Layla shook her head, crying harder. “I picked you up from school, Jamie. I told them I was your aunt — your emergency contact. I had all the information from helping Megan… no one questioned it. And after that, I stayed close. I helped with the search. I stood right next to her while she begged for you back.”
“Why do I remember that?”
“I lied,” Layla whispered. “And then I kept lying.”
Mike’s fists clenched. “You let us grieve him for 15 years.”
Layla looked down. “I knew this day would come.”
I turned to Jamie, desperate.
see continuation on next page
