Elena’s POV

The moment Stella’s voice came through the phone, my stomach tightened. She was laughing softly as if she had all the time in the world.

“I heard your mother’s still in the hospital,” she said, her tone sweet but cutting. “Such a shame. I suppose that’s what happens when people forget their place. A woman like her should have known better than to sit at the same table as real family.”

Her words landed like small strikes.

“Stella,” I said quietly, “what do ...