"Let Lyman know, would you? We''ll visit your mother''s grave together," Effie''s grandmother said, her eyes brimming with tears.


    She quickly turned away, wiping her cheeks before pretending nothing had happened. "You''re married now, darling. It''s only right to let your mother know."


    Effie nodded. "Okay."


    ...


    When Fidelia returned to her room, Marcia and Fowler took turns scolding her, forbidding her from meddling in Effie and Isabel''s affairs ever again.


    Fidelia felt miserable. Just then, Isabel called to ask about the photo incident.


    Fidelia never could keep anything to herself, and she''d always seen Isabel as a confidante. So, all at once, she poured out everything that had happened over the past two days.


    The more Isabel listened, the colder her heart grew.


    Unbelievable, she thought. Fidelia had screwed things up herself, and now she was dragging her down with her!


    There was no way Isabel could clear her name now, not even if she tried to exin herself until the end of time.


    Frustrated beyond words, Isabel still had to bite back her irritation andfort Fidelia over the phone, though she was so angry she nearly threw her phone across the room.


    When she finally managed to coax Fidelia into hanging up, Isabel did just that— she flung her phone aside.


    Carole jumped, staring at the battered device. She wondered how many phones that made this month.


    Sure, buying a new phone was nothing to Isabel; it was just pocket change. But transferring all her contacts, syncing photos, and setting everything up again? That was always her job, and it drove her crazy every time.


    "Who got on your bad side this time, trouble?" Carole asked, her tone as gentle as if she were soothing a child.


    "It''s Fidelia, that idiot. Not only did she mess things up, she dragged me into it,” Isabel replied.


    She exined the whole situation.


    Carole sighed. "Whatever you do, don''t try to exin this to Lyman."


    Isabel frowned. “If I don''t, the misunderstanding will only get worse! Lyman''s going to be so disappointed in me."


    "If you rush to exin, Lyman will just think you put Fidelia up to it," Carole said. "But if you pretend you know nothing, and Lyman brings it up, just act surprised. y dumb. It''s all Fidelia''s doing anyway-she never said you told her to do anything. So, what are you afraid of?"


    Isabel mulled it over and realized Carole had a point.


    "Sis, can you get me a new phone?"


    Carole sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Sure, boss. Whatever you say."


    Effie told Lyman about visiting her mother''s grave. On the day itself, Lyman woke up early and fussed over his clothes, making sure he looked his best.


    Effie couldn''t help butugh. "We''re just going to pay our respects to my mom. Is that really necessary?"


    Lyman looked at her,pletely serious. "Of course it is. It''s the first time I''m meeting your mother. I have to make a good impression, don''t I?"


    Effie''s eyes turned red, her nose prickling with emotion. She turned away, quickly dabbing at the corners of her eyes.


    Lyman noticed and hurried to help her wipe her tears. "If you don''t want me to, I won''t. I''ll do whatever you say."


    Effie took a deep breath and managed a shaky smile. "No, I mean it. I''m really touched. Thank you for treating my mom as if she were still here."


    Lyman paused, then pulled Effie into his arms.


    She rxed against his chest, listening to the steady, reassuring thud of his heartbeat. She caught the faint, clean scent of his cologne-something like white tea and citrus. It was crisp and soothing, making her feel both refreshed and safe.


    "Come on, let''s go pick up Grandma."


    For the first time, Effie felt a flutter of anticipation in her chest.