“Why?” Lila asked.

“Because the truth makes them look bad,” I said. “They might put our pictures on the television, or write things on the internet.”

“Are we in trouble?” Noah’s voice cracked.

“No,” I said firmly. “You two did nothing wrong. Your mom did nothing wrong. I am going to protect you.”

“What do we do if someone asks us questions?” Lila asked.

“You don’t say a word,” Maren intervened, leaning down beside me. “You tell them to talk to your father or me. Always.”

I felt a sharp pain in my chest realizing how much of their childhood had already been stolen by my mother’s lies.

My phone buzzed in my pocket again.

I pulled it out and saw a long text from my primary attorney, Harrison.

*The District Attorney is preparing the formal paperwork for Eleanor’s arrest. Mercer cracked. He gave them the original medical files from eight years ago.*

My mother was going to be indicted for conspiracy and fraud.

But there was more.

*Celeste’s name is all over the financial transfers to Mercer’s offshore account,* Harrison’s text continued. *She’s trying to scrub her involvement before the board meets.*