It was so odd. Scarlett and Lola had shared a room all their lives. Lola’s presence was just something she took for granted. This looked like Lola as usual, in her black skirt and blue Bubble Spa T-shirt, her fine blonde hair looped back in an attractive knot. But everything had changed. There was a space between them that was hard to cross.

“I’m glad you’re still talking to me,” Lola said. “You’re the only one.”

Scarlett could only shrug.

“Marlene was doing so much better,” Lola continued. “And Spencer…I know that a lot of times it seems like we don’t get along, but it’s just…I don’t know. He frustrates me sometimes. We’re just so different. But I’m so proud of him. Spencer’s on TV. My big brother. I always thought that was impossible, but there he is. And he’s so good.”

That was maybe the biggest compliment Lola had ever paid Spencer, and he was nowhere around to hear it.

“I didn’t think it would be like this,” Lola said. “I knew people would be a little shocked, but I didn’t expect Marlene to react like that. Or even Spencer. Mom and Dad look heartbroken. I don’t want everyone to be upset because of me. I’m going to make it up to everyone. It’s going to be fine.”

“I need to know something,” Scarlett said. “I need you to tell me the truth.”

Lola looked over cautiously, but she nodded. She guided Scarlett to a bench and they both sat down. Scarlett had to take a deep breath before asking the question.

“I need to know if you married him for the money. Because you thought we needed it, or…just to be…secure.”

“That’s what everyone thinks?” Lola asked quietly.

“I don’t know what anyone thinks. I don’t even know what I think. I mean, you get married, you move into one of the most expensive hotels in the city…”

Lola flipped over the edge of her skirt and examined the hem.

“Let me tell you something about the money,” she said. “But I don’t want anyone else to know. You have to keep this a secret. Do you promise?”

Scarlett nodded.

“The Sutcliffes aren’t paying for the hotel,” she said.

“Then who is?” Scarlett asked.

“A friend of their family. The Sutcliffes…cut Chip off. All of his money has been locked up. His credit cards have been stopped. Even his tuition bill won’t be paid. Right now, we have nothing.”

Scarlett just shook her head in confusion. The idea of Chip not having money was…well, that idea didn’t compute. Chip was money. There seemed little else to look at.