She looked ashamed.
I reached across the table.
“Don’t.”
“What?”
“Don’t look ashamed.”
“You were eighteen.”
She looked down.
Then continued.
Kevin also threatened Mia.
Not directly.
He knew Mia’s father worked for a contractor that depended on Kevin’s company.
Kevin told Sarah,
“If your friends get involved, their families can have problems too.”
That was why Mia stayed quiet.
I felt sick.
“Where did you go?”
Sarah looked at the baby.
“First, Mia’s cousin’s apartment.”
“Then a shelter.”
“Then I got a room with another girl.”
I started crying again.
“My God.”
“Mom.”
“I searched everywhere.”
“I know.”
“You knew?”
“Mia showed me screenshots.”
“Why didn’t you call?”
Sarah’s face crumpled.
“Because Dad kept texting.”
My stomach tightened.
“What?”
She unlocked the old phone.
There were messages from Kevin.
Come home and apologize.
Then:
Delete what you took.
Then:
If you contact your mother, I’ll make sure she loses everything.
Another:
The house is mine.
Her job won’t support her.
