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“Unexpected?” Christopher’s voice rose. “You humiliate Madison at some fancy jewelry store, and you call that unexpected?”
I evaluated the scene with newfound clarity. Madison had arrived first with her version of events, one that obviously cast her as the innocent victim of my apparent snobbery.
“I just wanted us to have a nice day together, to bond, and then you were so different at the store. Cold. When I admired those engagement rings, you practically sneered.”
My eyebrows rose of their own accord.
Is that what happened? “And then,” she continued, voice quavering perfectly, “when I tried to comfort you because the salesperson was ignoring you, you completely overreacted. Had security remove me.
It was humiliating, Christopher. All because I wanted to include your mother in our happiness.”
The fabrication was breathtaking in its audacity. I might have admired her creativity if it weren’t so calculating.
Christopher ran a hand through his hair, his tell for extreme agitation since childhood. “Mom, what the hell? Madison was trying to include you in something important and you went full ice queen on her.
That’s not like you.”
No, I agreed quietly. It’s not like me at all. Madison must have sensed dangerous waters in my calm because she quickly added.
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