“There’s no reason why you have to return to England and live out your life in your parents’ home, observing the man you love living a happily married life with your sister. You always have the option of remaining with me, wherever I go, my dear. We can make brief visits home, but you don’t have to stay there and endure such a thing. Or you can create your own life, following my example but making it the way you want it to be. You have been blessed with financial resources that make many options available to you. Your parents will support you in your choices, even if they might prefer to have you there. Again, I don’t think we should be jumping to conclusions based on so little information. The possibility of a union between Henry and Kat may not have even crossed either of their minds, and maybe it never will. So let’s give the matter some time and not fret too much.”

Amala liked hearing there were possibilities open to her that would not doom her to being too directly involved with her sister’s life if such a thing were to happen. Still, the possibility felt heartbreaking. In her mind she’d believed that when this season of healing was complete, she would return home and be forever close to her sister and parents. But if Henry ever officially became a part of the family, she doubted she could ever do that. She prayed that such a thing would never happen; it felt like too much to bear. But who was she to dictate the course of other people’s lives—or their hearts?

Amala tried very hard to follow Paulina’s advice to give the matter time and not fret. She forced the possibility to the back of her mind and immersed herself in the experiences around her while months slipped by and a part of her never wanted to leave this peaceful haven. But a day came when Paulina declared she was feeling restless and they would be going to her home in Italy to stay for some months—until Paulina became restless again, presumably. Amala only wished that her heart could let go and move on in the same way Paulina could move her life so easily from one place to the next.

Chapter Eight

LETTING GO

Amala had difficulty parting with all the things she’d come to love about this home away from home in the south of France. But she focused on what adventures might lie ahead. And she was not disappointed.