Elodie seemed to consider this, fidgeting with her drink. “Yes, if it weren’t for Gemma, the family line would be ending with us. How ironic: Paulina and Liam caused such a rift in our family, and now their heir will be the only one to continue it on.” She looked up at Celeste. “Does she know that her father was my boyfriend first?”

Celeste’s jaw dropped. “Oh, good heavens, Elodie. Come on.”

“It’s a legitimate question. What do you think?”

“I really don’t know. I don’t think so. Who would have told her? She was only eight when they died. Why even think of such a thing?”

“So now my relationship, the one that was stolen from me, is the dark secret? No wonder she’s confused why I didn’t welcome her with open arms. Well, she should know that I was robbed—by her mother.”

“Please, stop. This is ancient history. You’re in a relationship now, right? Can’t you just be happy with that?”

Elodie sipped her drink. A slow smile took over her face. She looked ten years younger.

“Tito and I are just friends,” she said.

“Oh no, you don’t. You’re willing to talk about a guy who burned you a quarter of a century ago, but not about the guy you’re involved with today?”

“Fine,” Elodie said, reaching for the bread. “Go ahead. I give you one question, one get-out-of-jail-free question. And then I want to make small talk like regular civilized people.”

But in that moment Celeste realized she actually didn’t want to ask a question. What she really wanted, what she’d wanted for so many years, was to make a confession.

It was as if she’d been waiting to talk to her sister all this time.

“You know, it’s my fault Paulina went on that trip. If she’d stayed in New York like Mom wanted, she’d still be alive today.” She reached for her water glass, her hand shaking.

“What are you talking about?” Elodie said, covering her mouth full of bread.

“Paulina went to France because I encouraged her to. Mom was telling her to stay in the city, and she was genuinely considering it.”

“Celeste, you can’t possibly blame yourself. I never believed Paulina was going to settle down in one place. And Liam—that conniving opportunist—was more than happy to flit around the globe on her dime.”

Celeste shook her head. “I’m telling you, there was a change in Paulina the last time I spoke to her. It was that weekend of Gemma’s birthday party. I think if I’d encouraged her, she would have stayed in New York—at least for a while. She’d still be alive.” Her voice cracked on the last part. She felt herself shaking.