Chapter 166 One Word

• Riley's POV
• Carol's message came on a Wednesday while I was making Lily's lunch.
• I stared at the name on the screen for a moment, genuinely confused. I had blocked Carol's number weeks ago — after the fourth call in eight days, each one a variation of the same theme: family is sacred, forgiveness is divine, Lily is my grandchild. The calls had a quality of entitlement so complete it almost impressed me. She wasn't asking, she was demanding.