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“You spoiled brat. I would have given anything to have a family that loved me-”
“You did,” she interrupts, blinking up at me. “We all loved you. Some more than others. Poor Lila.”
I think about Lila’s efforts, her sacrifices, her own dreams on the line. “You’re selfish,” I say.
She shakes her head. “No, I’m realistic. If you can’t see that, I have to wonder what’s clouding your vision.” With a wave of her hand, she dismisses the conversation.
Her tone is cold. “Alex wants to own this place.”
My jaw aches as I grind my teeth. “Who wanted in first?” I ask, annoyed.
She jerks both shoulders up. “Does it matter?”
Maybe it doesn’t.
“Keep my offer in mind,” she says. “And one more thing...”
I hesitate, certain I’m not going to like whatever she says next.
“Don’t say a word. Not to my family, and especially not to Lila.”
Betrayal tastes bitter on my tongue. A ghost of my past self, the one who once fled responsibility, rises within me. Now, Emma is asking me to repeat that mistake—to betray the trust of the woman who I’ve already hurt so much.
Chapter Ten
Lila
I feel like there's a giant anchor sitting on my shoulders and dragging me down. With every step, my feet feel like they're waiting through thick, heavy mud as I shuffle around the shop, searching for joy and hope in blooms.
But no comfort comes.
“Any word on Emma?” I can hear the worry in May's voice as she speaks, and I shake my head. Her eyes glitter with fear as she studies me. “You'll find her.” I sense she's trying to be comforting, but everything feels hollow.
Fredrick is out there looking, and I can't help but feel like he will find her... if she can be found. I try to cling to hope like May is doing, thinking about his rugged determination and unexpected kindness under that tough exterior. I could be wrong, but I feel like he's grown up since I knew him.
Still, the cold sense of dread within me doesn't show any signs of thawing out. “Thanks, May,” I say, knowing she’s trying to help me feel better. Turning back to the roses in need of trimming, I lose myself in the petals and leaves. But the joy I usually feel during this mundane task doesn't follow.
Time ticks by, somehow incredibly fast and slow at the same time. I check my phone every other minute, hoping for a message from Fredrick, or something from Emma, or a call from my mom saying Emma has come home safe and well.
Every time the door chimes, I paste on a smile for the customers while hoping to see Emma walk through the door instead.
“Good afternoon,” I greet everyone in a steady voice that betrays nothing of the pain growing within me.
By evening, the exhaustion has seeped into my bones and can no longer be ignored. My whole body wants me to close my eyes, even if it means falling. When the last straggler finally leaves, the bell above the door jingles a farewell.
I reach for the broom to begin closing up, but May intervenes, her hands firm as she takes the wooden handle from my grasp.
“Go home,” she says, “and get some sleep. I can run the shop tomorrow so you can get rest and look for Emma.” The concern and earnestness etched into her face offers me some comfort. I have always been able to count on May.
“Are you sure?” I ask through a huge yawn that makes my jaw pop.
“I'm sure,” she says, her eyes twinkling as she reaches out to touch my shoulder. “You look like you've been asleep on your feet most of the day.”
I nod my head. “Thank you.”
She reaches out and pulls me into a warm hug. When she finally lets me go, I leave the comfortable warmth of the shop as the chill of the coming night nips at my skin. Every footstep feels heavy as I move along quiet streets, the darkness beginning to wrap around me. Exhaustion leaves me shuffling like a zombie, and I hope I make it home.
Somehow, on autopilot, I manage to walk in my front door. Without even saying hello to anyone, I make my way to my room and drop onto my bed, feeling awful and exhausted.
