But Lauren’s days of being alone were over. She had her sister now, and she had no intention of letting her go. Closing her eyes, she conjured up the feel of the sun on her face, salt in the air, sand in her toes.

“I know it’s a lot to process,” Whitney was saying to Amelia. “And right now, you probably hate me. I get that. But I hope in time you can see that everything I did was out of love. Love for Millie, and love for you. I’ve been a little overbearing. Strict. Maybe even slightly crazy. But now you know why.

“I never wanted you to follow in my footsteps. To make bad choices. Ones that would hurt you or others. I never wanted you to lie. Manipulate. Not the way I did. I knew all too well how bad that would turn out.

“Don’t you see? Everything I did was to keep the promise I made to Millie the night you were born. My methods may have not always been great, but I did what I set out to. I kept you safe.”

Lauren opened her eyes. Looked at Amelia, who swallowed hard, wringing her hands in her lap, picking at what was left of the black polish that matched Lauren’s own. Her eyes were red and watery, her skin gray and pallid. Her urgency to get Amelia out of here grew.

“Say something,” Whitney pled with her.

“I honestly don’t know what you want me to say, Mom.” Amelia pulled her lip to one side as if trying to stop herself from crying.

Lauren watched Whitney, gauging her reaction. Trying to assess what she should say. How far could she take this? How much truth could her sister handle right now? Amelia’s lower lip was wobbly, and she bit down on it, her eyes sad and wet.

“I don’t know,” Whitney said. “Say anything. Tell me how you’re feeling. Tell me you hate me. Just say something.”

“I don’t hate you,” Amelia said, staring at her hands. “I don’t know what I feel toward you. I guess I just kinda feel numb. Shocked. Sorta confused.” She blew out a shaky breath. “I mean, it’s like my entire life has been a lie. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with that.”

“Your life hasn’t been a lie, Amelia,” Whitney assured her.

Lauren turned away, staring down at the dewy blades of grass. She pondered Whitney’s story, wondering if any part of it were true.

“I think I just need some time...space.” Amelia stood abruptly then. Lauren scrambled to follow her.

“Okay.” Whitney stood too, wiping her back and legs with her palms. “I can give you that.”

Amelia’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Can you?”

“Yeah.” Whitney nodded. “Let’s go home and you can hole up in your room for as long as you need.”