Chloe hurried after her mother, her bare feet silent against the hallway floor. "Mom... wait," she called softly.

Angela didn't stop until she reached her room. She pushed the door open and went straight to the bed, sitting heavily at the edge. Her shoulders trembled, and she pressed her fingers to her temples like she was trying to hold herself together.

"Mom..." Chloe stepped closer. "Have you been crying? What happened?"

Angela let out a bitter laugh. "What happened?" she repeated, her voice ...