“I ranted like that for a very long time, and then I cried so hard that every muscle in my body was in knots. When I finally calmed down, I somehow knew that Kat understood, and that she could forgive me for being so angry, and that I could forgive her for making this so difficult. But acknowledging my anger is obviously just a step in resolving all of this. Another step is that I need to tell you how angry I’ve been—even if I didn’t realize it for a long time. And you need to know that I’m not angry with you; not even a little.”

He lifted his head then and looked at her. “You’re not angry with me for marrying your sister after I’d declared my undying love for you?”

His brutal honesty took her off guard, but she knew it needed to be said. And what had she expected when she’d opened this conversation?

Attempting to be equally honest, she said, “I was hurt initially. A part of me hoped to never see you again because I believed that would be easier for both of us. It took time to accept that you would always be a part of my family. But I did accept it, Henry. I made peace with it, and I was happy for both of you. I never felt angry.”