Sarah’s phone buzzed, its vibrations breaking the peaceful hum of her quiet afternoon. She glanced at the screen and froze slightly—Mom. With a sigh, she picked up.
“Hi, Mom,” she said, trying to sound cheery.
“Sarah.” Her mother’s tone was sharp and concerned. “What is it I’m hearing about Nicole’s divorce? And why on earth are people saying you have something to do with it?”
Though her heart skipped a beat, Sarah kept her voice level. "What? Nicole's divorce? I.I just heard about it recently myself. You know how gossip spreads around. I'm just as shocked as you are.
The voice at the other end of the phone line was silent, and for a moment, Sarah hoped her mother would give up. But then it returned-no-nonsense. "Don't lie to me, Sarah. I raised you better than that."
"I am not lying,
