“Now, then,” Paulina said, easing back from their embrace to take Amala’s shoulders. “I’m told you’re not feeling at all well, that you’ve not been out of this room for days. I’m also told that the doctor can find nothing obviously wrong with you. Perhaps my visit has some serendipity in it, hmm? You know how I have an extra sense about these things.”

Amala knew all about Paulina’s extra sense. Oliver had often mentioned how his sister had always just been able to perceive more deeply than most people. Whether she simply had a strong sense of instinct or discernment or it was actually a spiritual gift depended on the opinion of whoever might be discussing Paulina’s sometimes uncanny abilities. In Paulina’s opinion it was a little of both. Whatever it was, Amala was glad for it now. It had been a few years since she’d even seen Paulina, and she’d hardly thought of her for weeks, but if she’d ever needed her unofficial aunt, it was now. She didn’t want to talk about what had happened, but Paulina’s extra sense often made it easier to talk about sensitive matters when Paulina was so good at filling in the blanks. And since she didn’t know Henry, she wouldn’t be biased toward him the way her other family members were. She didn’t want any of them to have their own relationships with him tainted by what had happened. But Paulina would be able to see the matter objectively and offer sound advice. She’d always been that way. The timing of her visit couldn’t possibly be a coincidence; she could call it serendipity if she liked. Amala considered it a miracle.

Hoping to divert the topic of the source of her ailment just a little longer, Amala asked Paulina, “When did you get here? Where have you been? Will you stay long?” Amala hoped that she would, certain that Paulina’s presence would help her get through this transition with more strength and dignity.

Paulina laughed softly. “One question at a time, my little chocolate sweet.” From the day her brother had officially taken Amala into his family, Paulina had always called her and Kat her chocolate and vanilla sweets. It was her way of distinguishing their differences and uniqueness in a completely respectful and loving manner. Paulina had never made Amala feel unloved or less valuable in any regard; in fact, she had taken Amala in with perfect acceptance, and in some ways they were closer than Paulina and Kat. Perhaps Paulina’s life—which had never quite fit into the conventions of society—helped her relate more to Amala. Perhaps she had sensed that Amala needed an ally in the world. Whatever the reason, Paulina had always been one of Amala’s favorite people, and her visits were far too rare and brief.