Ellen had used all this information to scare people and managed to get away with it. Even Lily’s push, which she insisted was an accident in the heat of the moment. At first I’d wanted to pursue charges against her, but that would potentially have meant details about Lily’s birth parents going more public than any of us wanted, and Lily voted against it. Of course, Lily and Ellen’s friendship had dissolved quickly, and I’d heard Greg had found her a new therapist. Otherwise, Ellen had dropped a bomb in the middle of Ivy Woods and pretty much gone on with her life unscathed. Valedictorian, admitted to Princeton with a full ride. And, ironically, was awarded the Daphne Brown scholarship from Parent Team.

The world was decidedly messed up.

I caught Adam’s eye as we walked toward the stage, and he high-fived a student passing by. I loved seeing him with students—his favorite part of the job, for sure. It killed me to think I’d done anything to put our marriage in jeopardy. I’d told him about my history with Greg, but we were fine now. Better than fine. And I’d come to the realization that I hadn’t been the one to drive Ellen’s mother away or even to ruin Greg’s marriage. He had made the choice to cheat on her, and he had to live with the consequences, just like I had lived with the fallout of my relationship with Brad. I still saw Greg in the neighborhood or at events, of course, but we kept our distance. It was for the best. Besides, I was too busy with freelance jobs and volunteering at the school. My life was full to the brim, just as I’d always hoped.

The event would be starting soon. I said goodbye to Georgeann and found a place to stand on the sidelines in the shade, where it would be cooler than baking on the hot metal bleachers. I leaned against a pillar, smoothing down my dress. Adjusted the ivy leaf pin affixed to my chest. It sparkled in the sunlight. I loved my life, and I’d fought hard to get here. My mother had always said the things that test us the most are the things that make us grow in strength.

She was right.

Mostly.

“Theresa!” a voice called.

I turned and saw the Ivy Five. Well, two anyway. Bettina, standing with Kendra and her family. Pia was on a two-week vacation with a guy she’d been dating since Christmas.

As usual, Bettina was dressed like she’d stepped out of the pages of Vogue in a cotton shift dress with a satin Peter Pan collar. Kendra’s gold hoops looked extra shiny in the summer sun. She played the role of mother of a graduate well, cropped yellow summer cardigan and short fitted dress printed with bright sunflowers.