The principal continued speaking at the podium, her voice warm and practiced. She talked about achievement, resilience, community, and the families who had helped the Class of 2026 reach that stage.
Families who helped.
Mariana stared at the back of Damian’s head.
For twelve years after the divorce, Damian Rivas had been a father mostly in photographs. He appeared at the easy moments: school awards with cameras, birthday lunches at nice restaurants, graduation fittings where he could pay for something visible.
But he missed the flu nights.
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