Elena opened her arms to Chloe.

“Sweetheart, we’re finally together again.

You have to understand, back then everything was your father’s fault.”

Chloe smiled.

I knew the smile.

It was one she used when a customer mistook calmness for agreement, or when she was giving someone a final opportunity to reconsider a sentence.

“Mom, I’m happy you made it,” she said.

“Come stand in the middle of the room.