Chloe’s confident smirk evaporated.

Her face turned ghost-white as she stared at the trauma she’d somehow never truly seen.

For the first time since the accident, I didn’t try to hide.

I stood tall, letting the sun touch the scars I’d spent half my life concealing.

I gently took the microphone from Chloe’s trembling hand.

My voice echoed across the dead-silent yard.

“You always wanted to know why Mom and Dad looked at me differently.