The empty frame documented what it had cost, the ordinary irreplaceable things, the photographs never taken, the moments that simply would not come again.

Chapter 25 — Watching It Collapse

Laura stared at the empty frame, and then something in her broke, and the composure went entirely.

“How dare you,” she said, her voice rising.

“How dare you do this to me, in front of everyone!”

Samantha did not flinch, and did not raise her voice.

“You came here today,” she said, “worried about how you would look in front of your new family.

Those were practically your first words to Dad.