SHAWNA
I sat still, staring at my daughter like I didn’t know her. My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat. The words she’d just spoken hung heavy in the air.
“He killed her,” Phoebe said again, her voice so small, so broken. “It was Richard. Ramon’s uncle.”
I blinked. “Richard? Are you sure?”
Her eyes were red and swollen. She nodded slowly.
But, baby… Richard?” I shook my head. “He’s always been polite. Reserved. Quiet. I never liked him much, but…murder? That’s a big…”
“He did it,” she said firmly.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My mind was racing, trying to piece together what she’d just told me, but everything felt like it was moving too fast.
“I just….I can’t believe this,” I whispered.
My hands trembled as I reached for hers. “Sweetheart, listen to me. What happened to Winnie… that wasn’t your fault.”
“Yes, it was!” she burst out. “I could’ve stopped her from going. I should’ve listened to her. I should’ve listened. She told me she was scared.”
“You did
