Maria:
Marcus didn’t say anything after he placed the phone on the table.
He didn’t need to.
The picture spoke for itself.
Me and Noah standing outside the café by the river. My hair messy from the wind, his hand half lifted like he’d just said something that made me laugh.
Three days ago.
The photo sat there in the center of the table while everyone looked at it. Then they looked at me.
Then Daniel.
My mother leaned forward a little.
“Maria?” she said carefully.
I didn’t answer right away. My brain was still trying to catch up with the moment. With the fact that the lie we had just walked into this house carrying might collapse before dinner was even served.
Marcus rested his elbow against the table and glanced at Daniel like this was mildly entertaining.
“So,” he said, easy a
