I didn’t chase my husband down. I didn’t beg him to stop, although he was probably unfit to drive. As much as he needed space, I needed it too. On the counter, sitting on top of today’s newspaper, was the small brown mystery package. No postage or return address. I picked it up, glancing at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette headline under today’s date, April 22: “Prominent Attorney Murdered and Inheritance Disputed.”

It was a little shocking to see Mortimer’s death had made the front page. Skimming the article, I wasn’t surprised to see that the law partners were disputing my inheritance tooth and nail, just as Karen predicted, and dragging my name through the mud. I wouldn’t fight it, though. I didn’t have the battle left inside me. As Vera would have said, FML. Eff my life.

I returned my attention to the package and the bottle of vodka Cody had been nursing while I was at the police station, based on the state of him. Ripping the packaging open, I saw a note that I recognized as Felicity’s handwriting:

I know I haven’t shown it this past week, especially with Vera suddenly gone, but I appreciate how you were always there for her and how you’re trying to be there for me right now. You were more than an aunt to her. You were like a sister, and I’ll always cherish you as my sister too. I’m sorry for all the stuff coming between us right now. I’m not coping well, but I’m trying to stay as optimistic as I can. Maybe I should be trying that CBD to “chill” a bit, as Vera would say, huh? I hope this gift adds some sparkle in your life.

Inside was a small black velvet box. No she didn’t. I flipped it open and gasped. The turquoise bracelet. A perfect match to the one Felicity had worn and the one given to Vera for her fifteenth birthday. I imagined the day the three of us girls could wear them together…soon…if I hadn’t already irreparably ruined my relationship with my family. Unless Cody was right. Maybe the lies were just too much to overcome.