“You and Christopher were not even close anymore!”

Martha stared at her in total disbelief.

That was the first explicit lie Valerie had spoken loudly enough for everyone present to hear clearly.

A female assistant from Christopher’s office looked down at her shoes, while a construction supervisor standing near the road shifted his feet uncomfortably.

Martha took the old photograph out from her chest and held it up high for everyone to see.

The picture showed Christopher at eight years old standing in front of their small wooden farmhouse, smiling broadly with his front teeth missing while his father’s hand rested gently on his small shoulder.