Emily cried.
“I know.”
“Being bullied explains why you were hurting. It doesn’t excuse lying to me.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
Together, we established a budget.
She agreed to resume her part-time campus job after recovering and take responsibility for repayment.
Several days later, Emily asked me to accompany her to confront Ryan.
We met in the hotel’s quiet lounge.
I sat beside her, allowing her to lead.
She set her phone on the table.
“Why did you make fun of me?”
Ryan examined the screenshots.
“Where did you get those?”
“Answer me.”
He sighed.
“Emily, those were stupid jokes.”
“You made them about my face.”
“Everyone was joking around. I didn’t want to become their next target.”
“So you laughed at me instead?”
“I never meant for you to see those messages.”
“That makes it worse.”
Ryan rubbed his forehead.
“I was trying to fit in.”
