Chapter 5 - WHY LILY WAS HIDDEN BEHIND THE BIN
The ugliest truth remained the simplest.
Why hide Lily?
Nicole eventually admitted it.
She and Dad were moving the contractor bag toward the catering trash.
Lily saw the hospital bracelet fall out.
She picked it up.
She recognized Madison’s name.
Then asked:
“Why is Madison’s bracelet in Mommy’s bag?”
Dad panicked.
Nicole told Lily to go back inside.
She refused.
Then Dad said:
“Put her behind the boxes until we finish.”
My four-year-old daughter became an inconvenience because she asked the correct question.
Nicole cried when she admitted it.
“I never meant to scare her.”
I stared.
“You told her to stay hidden.”
“Yes.”
“You left her crying.”
“Yes.”
“During my engagement party.”
“Yes.”
“And then called it needing space.”
She covered her face.
“I’m sorry.”
I believed she was sorry.
That did not make Lily safe around her yet.
May you like
Both truths could exist.
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