My parents forced me to cook and clean all weekend for my sister’s party with 50 guests.

Five minutes later, my father called. I let it ring. Then my mother. Then Madison again. Then an unknown number.

I answered the unknown number because I already knew who it was.

“Emily Carter,” I said.

Victor’s voice was calm. “I apologize for disturbing your evening.”

“You didn’t.”

“I left your parents’ house.”

I set my mug down. “That bad?”

“I have attended worse events,” he said. “But rarely with such poor potato salad.”

Despite everything, I smiled.

Then his tone shifted. “Your mother told several guests you were between jobs. Your father implied you had exaggerated your position at Hartwell. When I corrected them, Mrs. Carter became upset.”Parenting books

I pictured my mother’s face collapsing in front of her friends, not from guilt, but from being exposed.

“What did you say?” I asked.

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