The disappointment tasted like iron in my mouth.

I had done all of this for him, too, so he wouldn’t have to work himself to death paying Megan’s fake medical bills.

I looked down at my black canvas tool bag sitting on the floor by my boots.

Beside it sat my laptop bag, the zipper slightly open.

Inside, the silver corner of my work computer caught the yellow light.

My fingers twitched against my knees.

There was more than just Lauren’s photos on my phone.

There were documents I hadn’t mentioned yet.

Documents I had downloaded only two hours ago, sitting in my inbox.

“I’m not signing anything,” I said.

My mother’s eyes flared with a sudden, vicious anger.

“You will sign it,” she whispered, leaning over the table until her face was inches from mine.

“Or I will call your union rep and tell them how you’ve been taking side jobs on company time.”

It was a hollow threat, but the desperation in her voice was pathetic.

She was willing to destroy my career to protect Megan’s lie.