Frannie’s mouth fell open. I held my tongue, sensing they needed to sort this out on their own. “Don’t talk to me like that! A long-distance relationship is complicated. We’re not young kids with big dreams. We already have our lives settled and it’s hard to change.”

“But you can if you want it bad enough. God, Mom, don’t you ever want something for yourself besides a company? I liked the way you were around Enzo. You laughed and got silly, and not once did you pick up your stupid phone. I know you didn’t want me to have a father so you could have this uncomplicated, perfect life, but maybe it’s time to get a little messy.”

Frannie’s face flushed and she practically snarled. “You know nothing about my choices or what I want from my life,” she shot back. “I’m the mother and you don’t get to ask questions!”

“Why not? That’s stupid! I told you about Ian—you can tell me how you really feel about Enzo leaving instead of pretending everything’s cool.”

Frannie grabbed for her coffee, her fingers shaking. “This is a ridiculous conversation. Let’s get ready to go.”

I spoke up. “Actually, I think this is a very important conversation for you two. I think Allegra has something important to say, and you should listen.”

I held my breath, wondering if she’d shut down, but she kept still and stared at Allegra, waiting.

Allegra tipped her chin up. “I hate that I don’t have a real father. I hate that I was some type of biology experiment, neatly planned, with no love or passion or romance. Didn’t you ever want a relationship? Did you have to control every aspect of your life—even falling in love? Did I just check off one of your boxes along the way to have a kid with no thought as to how I’d feel about your choices?”

Pain for both of them rose up and choked me. I watched my daughter flinch at the words, but I knew it was a wound in Allegra that needed to bleed free in order to heal.