The question landed harder than any accusation. Vanessa’s face reddened. “No.”

“Then why didn’t you say it before?”

No one rescued her. Her polished voice finally failed. “Because I was embarrassed.”

Mia nodded slowly. “I was embarrassed too.”

Elena’s throat tightened. Vanessa lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry I made you sit there. I’m sorry I let people laugh. I’m sorry I talked about your mother like her work made her less important.”

It wasn’t perfect. It didn’t erase the party. But it was the first thing Vanessa had said that sounded less like strategy and more like truth.