“There’s no hiding from this anymore, Layla.”
My sister closed her eyes, took a breath, and nodded. “I’m right here.”
Bill moved toward me, and I put my arm around him. “It’s okay,” I murmured.
One officer turned to Bill, gentler now. “We’re reopening your case, son. We’ll need your statement.”
Bill nodded, glancing at Layla, then at me.
Layla’s gaze caught mine, full of pleading. “Megan —”
I shook my head. “You’ll tell the truth. That’s all that’s left.”
“We’re reopening your case, son.”
Layla went with them quietly, glancing back once at the family she’d broken.
When the door closed, the silence was enormous. My father sank onto the couch, head in his hands. My mother just stared at the empty space where Layla had stood.
Bill stood in the hallway, his hands shaking.
“Did you really look for me?” he asked quietly.
I nodded, tears slipping down my face. “Every single day.”
He swallowed, searching my eyes. “Why didn’t you give up?”
“Did you really look for me?”
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