“Mom, just leave her alone.”
Jason’s voice cut in sharply.
Diane blinked, surprised.
“I was just asking—”
“She’s fine,” he said quickly.
From across the patio, Lena didn’t even look up from her phone.
“It’s nothing, Diane. Really.”
Their tone wasn’t worried.
It was dismissive.
Cold.
Diane nodded slowly and stepped away.
But something didn’t sit right.
Not at all.
A Feeling She Couldn’t Ignore
She had raised three children.
She knew the difference between a kid avoiding the pool…
…and a child hiding something.
A few minutes later, Diane slipped inside the house.
“I’ll be right back,” she called casually.
No one paid attention.
Inside, the house felt quiet. Still.
She walked toward the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—
Soft footsteps.
The door creaked open.
Mia slipped inside… and locked it.
Diane’s chest tightened instantly.
“Sweetheart?” she whispered.
Mia looked up, her eyes glossy with tears she’d been holding in too long.
“I’m not really sick,” she said quietly.
Diane knelt down. “Then what’s wrong?”
Mia hesitated.
Glanced at the door.
Then whispered—
“Mommy and Daddy said I’m not allowed to tell anyone.”
The Truth She Wasn’t Supposed to Say
A chill ran through Diane.