The text from Steven arrived the next morning.
Bella stared at the screen until the letters stopped looking like words and started looking like a sentence carved into stone.
**Three days. Lisa's birthday party.**
**Public apology. On your knees.**
**You'll get the money after.**
Bella set the phone down.
She wanted to throw it.
She wanted to pretend she had never read it.
But Mia's weak voice from the hospital bed pulled her back into reality faster than any pride could.
“Mommy, is it morning?"
“Yes, sweetheart."
Mia blinked sleepy eyes and tried to smile. “Did you sleep?"
“A little."
“That's good." Mia looked very serious. “You need sleep so you can take care of me."
Bella felt her throat tighten.
“Always," she said.
The nurse entered to check Mia's temperature.
“Any pain
