Chapter 5

I opened the envelope and found the speech Mom had written for the wedding. Her handwriting was shaky, but she'd clearly taken her time with every word.

"Isaac, the one thing I can't stop worrying about is Lily. She grew up without a father. She may seem easygoing, but she's always been more afraid of loneliness than she lets on.

"You're the more levelheaded one. When she gets stubborn, just be patient with her. Don't take every stubborn thing she says to heart. When I'm gone, please love her a little extra for me."

Below that was another note, the handwriting even fainter.

"Jolene, I have one favor to ask of you too. Lily can be stubborn, but underneath it all, she's softhearted. You two have always been like sisters. When I'm gone, I just want you two to look out for each other. Then I won't have to worry.

A tear splashed onto the page, and I couldn't read any further.

Even at the very end, Mom was still thinking the best of Isaac and worrying about Jolene and me. She was still trusting him to look after me.

She had no idea she'd entrusted me to the wrong man.

Before I could pull myself together, I saw Isaac and Jolene hurrying toward me.

Isaac looked furious. The second he saw me, he came charging over.

"Lily, what did you do? Ms. Page isn't even answering her phone. What did you say to her?"

Jolene trailed behind him, giving me a disapproving look. "Lily, I know you're mad at us, but Ms. Page is already so sick. You can't give her one more thing to worry about.

"We've already lined up another venue, and we'll make sure everything goes smoothly this time. We really are trying to make Ms. Page's wish come true."

When I still didn't answer, Isaac grew even more annoyed.

"Quit acting like this. I gave you a chance to drop it yesterday, but you insisted on making a scene. And now you've come to the hospital to get Ms. Page on your side? Lily, can you act like an adult for once?"

I looked at him and suddenly felt too exhausted to explain myself. I gave a bitter smile.

"Isaac, my mom died," I said quietly.

The hallway fell silent.

Isaac's face drained of color. Then he slapped me.

My head snapped to the side, and my ears rang.

He froze the second he realized what he'd done. He looked down at his hand, clearly regretting it for a second, but he still wouldn't back down.

"I didn't mean to do that, but you took it too far. You'd actually say something like that just to get an apology out of me? Ms. Page is still in there, and you're saying she's dead?"

For the first time, the tears in Jolene's eyes looked real.

"Lily, I'm so disappointed in you. Ms. Page was always so proud of what a good daughter you were. How could you joke about something like her dying?"

My voice came out so cold I barely recognized it. "Then why did you make a joke out of the wedding yesterday?"

Jolene faltered for a second, then lowered her head and started crying.

"I know. It was my fault. But I really didn't mean for any of this to happen. I was so nervous I'd mess up my part that Isaac took me out to help me relax. We had no idea we'd be gone that long—"

Before she could finish, Isaac stepped in front of her. "That's enough! Jolene already feels guilty enough. Do you have to push everyone until they snap?"

I laughed, and only then did I realize my face was wet with tears.

"She feels guilty? Then what was she doing taking couples' photos with you in her bridesmaid dress?"

Isaac hesitated, and his voice wasn't quite as firm anymore.

"Are you done yet? We've spent the last two days running around getting everything ready. We already have another venue lined up. This time, we'll make sure everything goes exactly the way Ms. Page wants."

My vision blurred. I was about to say something when the doctor stepped out of her office.

"Ms. Summers, there's just one more signature I need from you for Leah Page's death certificate."

For a moment, everything seemed to stop.

Isaac and Jolene slowly went pale.