“This is a joke,” she said, her voice rising.

She looked around at the guests, trying to find someone to laugh with her.

“Maya is doing a performance.”

“She wants attention because it is our birthday.”

Father saw his opening and took a step forward.

“Exactly,” he said, his voice regaining its firm, professional tone.

“Maya has been under an immense amount of stress with her college applications.”

“She is exaggerating a childhood accident to create drama.”

“Let us get her some water and take this conversation inside.”

He reached out to grab my upper arm, his fingers tightening like iron bands.

I did not flinch, and I did not look at him.

I kept my eyes on Chloe’s desperate, smiling face.

“They did not want you to feel guilty, Chloe,” I said.

Her nervous smile began to waver.

“They made me promise,” I said.

“Before I was even discharged from the hospital, they sat by my bedside.”

“They told me what would happen if you found out the truth.”

Mother finally stood up, the white frosting dripping from her fingers onto her silk trousers.