Patricia refused to leave the hospital. She stayed in the lobby until nearly four in the morning, telling anyone who listened that Daniel was emotional, ungrateful, and easily influenced.

Eventually, security escorted her outside. She called Daniel from the parking lot. He answered only because Lily’s surgeon had stepped away, leaving him briefly alone.

“Daniel,” Patricia said, “you need to come downstairs and make a statement.”

“A statement about what?”

“Tell them we are a loving family. Tell them those messages were misunderstood.”

“What did you mean?”