I steadied my voice.
“She felt dizzy. I’m helping her.”
The handle moved.
I had locked it.
“Why is the door locked?”
“Because she’s bathing.”
Silence followed.
Then Chloe spoke from the hallway.
“She doesn’t need help bathing.”
Mother’s nails pressed into my wrist.
“I’m already here,” I replied. “We’ll be down shortly.”
Another silence.
I imagined Julian and Chloe exchanging a look outside the door.
Finally, Julian said, “Dinner is getting cold.”
Their footsteps retreated.
Mother whispered, “They know.”
