
Daniel looked up from his coffee, glancing at Paula, who was busy scrolling through her phone. She raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on her lips. “See, Daniel,” she said, not even bothering to look at me. “I told you it was time to start thinking about this.”
Daniel nodded, affecting a look of concern that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He had always been Paula’s puppet, eager to please her even at the cost of his own mother. “Mom, I think it’s a good idea,” he said, his voice dripping with feigned empathy. “We just want to make sure everything’s taken care of, you know, for your peace of mind.”
I nodded, playing the part of the grateful, confused old woman. “Yes, of course, dear. That sounds like a good idea.”
