Chapter 2

After handling Nyssa's funeral arrangements, I went home alone.

The second I opened the door, I stopped cold.

The living room was packed with wedding favors, gift boxes, and booze.

Huge "Just Married" signs covered the walls.

Two movers hauled boxes upstairs, Oliver's name stamped across them.

Shirley's mom, Caroline Hartley, stood by the stairs bossing them around.

"Careful. That's the china for Oliver's wedding. You break it, you're paying for it."

When she saw me, she didn't ask about Nyssa.

She just pointed at the gift boxes.

"Good, you're back.

"Oliver's wedding is short-staffed. Pack these favors."

I ignored her and went upstairs.

The movers had opened Nyssa's room.

The teddy bear stickers were gone, buried under wedding garlands.

Her desk, toy shelf, and pink bed were gone too.

Now the room was crammed with suitcases and wedding supplies stacked to the ceiling.

The star-shaped lamp I'd bought her had been tossed by the door.

The shade was cracked.

"Where's Nyssa's stuff?"

Caroline followed me upstairs.

"Oliver has a ton of wedding stuff, so I had them clear out some space.

"Nyssa's in the hospital anyway. She won't be home for a while."

I stared at her. "I asked where her stuff is."

"Anything worth keeping went into storage. The old toys and beat-up clothes were just clutter, so I had the maid toss them."

Something in my chest cracked.

Whenever Nyssa came home from the hospital, she ran straight to her room.

She'd stick new stickers above her bed, then fall asleep hugging that little stuffed bunny with one ear missing.

It was the only place in this house that was truly hers.

And less than two days after she died, every trace of her was already gone.

"Who gave you permission to touch her room?"

Caroline's face darkened. "Why are you yelling at me?

"Oliver and Shirley grew up together. He's basically a son to me.

"He doesn't have parents to help with the wedding. We're the closest thing he has to family."

She pointed into the room. "What's the big deal about using Nyssa's room for a few days?"

I bent down and picked up the star lamp.

I flipped the switch.

Nothing.

Caroline kept going.

"Ever since Shirley married you, her whole life has revolved around you and Nyssa. She's sacrificed enough.

"Oliver only gets married once. Do you seriously have to make this about you too?

"You're lucky he's such a good guy. Anyone else would've cut you off by now."

Shirley and I had been married six years.

When her business went under, I sold the house my dad left me to cover her debts.

When Caroline had a stroke, I stayed at the hospital with her for two straight weeks.

Oliver never had to do a damn thing.

He grew up with Shirley, and somehow that meant he got all her loyalty for free.

That night, when Shirley came home, I slid the divorce papers across the table.

"Is this because Mom used Nyssa's room?

"Or because I bought Oliver the car?"

Shirley tossed the papers in the trash.

"Quit making such a big deal out of this. Nyssa's in the hospital, so I get that you're upset."

She picked up the wedding invitations, completely sure of herself.

"After Oliver's wedding, I'll take you both on a trip.

"Hasn't Nyssa always wanted to see the ocean?"

She had no idea Nyssa was never coming home.