Amala stared at the letter and reread it several times, overcome with such an onslaught of mixed feelings that she could hardly discern them. Shock overrode all else initially while she tried to accept that her worst fear had come to pass. She couldn’t deny some jealousy and knew she’d be a fool to try to pretend it didn’t exist inside of her. How could she stand back and see her beloved sister have everything that Amala had wanted but couldn’t have? Henry would now officially become a part of the family; he would always be there, involved and in the middle of everything. Amala had hoped that when he found a wife and settled down, he would settle into his home and she would rarely encounter him. But how would she ever be able to manage this? Perhaps she was not nearly as over him as she’d believed. Or, as Paulina suggested, perhaps his marrying Kat—as opposed to some nameless, faceless woman—put the matter far too close to Amala’s heart.

Paulina was compassionate to Amala’s shock and encouraged her to talk through the complexity of her feelings, and Amala found the need to grieve all over again for the love she and Henry had shared that was clearly now in the distant past—at least it was for him.

The following day a letter from Henry arrived, and Amala insisted that Paulina sit with her while she read it. Her hands trembled, and her eyes misted over before she could even break the seal. She was grateful more than ever for the ally she’d found in Paulina, who already knew every detail of the situation and knew Amala’s heart inside out. It was only natural, then, to read the letter aloud and therefore not feel alone in hearing whatever Henry might have to say.

My dearest Amala,

I’m not certain if Kat’s letter will have reached you already or if mine will be the bearer of news that is difficult to share. You, more than anyone, have encouraged me to find love and to settle down. Your concern on my behalf has always been admirable and even touching, but I wonder how you will feel to learn that I have finally found the right woman to marry, and that woman is Kat.

Amala took a deep breath and tried to steady her voice, wondering how she would have felt if Henry’s letter had arrived first. She was glad it hadn’t.