I Overheard My 16-Year-Old Daughter Tell Her Stepdad, ‘Mom Doesn’t Know the Truth … and She Can’t Find Out’ – So I Followed Them the Next Afternoon

“Hello Ma’am, I’m calling about Avery’s absences on Wednesday and Friday last week. We didn’t receive a note, and I wanted to make sure everything’s okay.”

I froze.

Wednesday and Friday last week? Avery had gone to school on both those days. I’d watched her leave with Ryan.

“Oh, um, yes. She had some appointments. I’ll send a note.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

“I’m calling about Avery’s absences on Wednesday and Friday last week.”

I hung up and stared at the phone.

She missed school? Why? What’s going on?

I looked out the window. Ryan’s car had already pulled out of the driveway.

Something was very wrong.

I grabbed my keys.