“He hid her too!”
Grandma said, “Yes. And he will answer for that.”
Valerie’s breathing turned ragged.
“You don’t know what it was like.”
Grandma stepped closer.
“Then explain it. Explain why you let your mother believe her grandchild was dead.”
Valerie’s eyes filled, but even her tears looked angry.
“Because I asked for help and she gave me shame.”
Grandma recoiled.
“I gave you money. I offered to raise the baby with you. You disappeared.”
“You offered to raise her like Sarah. Like some perfect little doll.”
“I offered because you were twenty-one and terrified.”
“You offered because you didn’t trust me.”
Grandma’s voice broke.
“You told me she died.”
For the first time, Valerie looked almost human.
Almost.
Then she saw the crowd watching.
The humanity vanished.
“This is none of their business,” she said.
A voice from the back replied, “It is mine.”
Everyone turned.
A young woman stood beneath the floral arch at the entrance.
She had dark hair, Valerie’s cheekbones, and my father’s eyes.
My heart stopped.
Lily.
Valerie whispered, “No.”
Lily walked down the aisle slowly.
She wore jeans and a green blouse, nothing like the glittering guests around her. She looked terrified, but she kept walking.