She immediately turned toward me.
“Mom?”
“Let him finish.”
I was trying not to smile.
Max explained that the winner received professional headshots, admission to an acting workshop, and a small screen test.
“A real screen test?”
“A real one.”
Then his expression became more serious.
“But this is not a promise of fame.”
Lily nodded.
“Acting requires discipline. Patience. And respect for boundaries.”
Her cheeks turned pink again.
“Yes.”
“This is not a reward for sneaking away from your class.”
“I understand.”
“It’s an opportunity to do something the right way.”
Angela stepped closer.
“If your mother approves, I’ll send her the official information.”
Then Lily reached for my hand.
For weeks, she had demanded answers from me.
Pushed me away.
This time, she didn’t demand anything.
She simply asked,
“Can we talk about it?”
I squeezed her hand.
“Yes.”
And for the first time since she came home from Los Angeles, hope appeared on my daughter’s face without replacing me.
It included me.
And that mattered more than anything.
