Part 2:

They all saw Lily’s face.

I asked one question.

“Who touched my daughter?”

No one answered.

Rebecca gave an annoyed sigh.

“Oh, Daniel, don’t start. Your daughter had a tantrum.”

I stared at her.

“What did you do to her?”

Rebecca rolled her eyes.

“She knocked over Sophie’s cupcakes. Then she started crying like the world was ending. I just grabbed her arm and took her inside so she’d stop making a scene.”

Lily buried her face against my neck.

My mother rushed over.

“This is not the time to argue. We have guests.”

I almost laughed.

Not because it was funny.

My daughter was trembling in my arms, and my mother was worried about embarrassment.

My father lowered his voice.

“Daniel, calm down. Kids fall. Kids cry. Don’t turn a birthday party into a trial.”

Rebecca crossed her arms.

“You spoil her because you still feel guilty about Claire.”