I closed the front door gently, turned around in the hallway, and cupped Noah’s face in both of my hands.

He looked up at me with complete vulnerability, still waiting to hear whether I was angry about the secrets he had kept.

“You made a mistake by selling that instrument without talking to your father and me,” I told him with loving firmness.

“We are a family, and you must always trust us to help you solve heavy problems together.”

“I know, Mom, and I am truly sorry for doing it behind your back,” Noah whispered sincerely.