Lily's Last Breath, A Marriage's End

s a guest bedroom in the Wilsons' house. Mary m

unced between foster homes until they took me in when I was sixteen. I was a friend of their son's, and they saw how much I was stru

lfish streak they couldn't seem to tame. When she set her sights on me, a quiet, studious boy they

f Sarah that I thought existed.

. They paid for everything. I was so grateful, I poured all my en

g on her, building a fortress of love around her to protect her from the growing coldness in

with a tray. A glass o

o eat somet

y head. "

rm and comforting. "John is making arrangements," she said softly. "He wants

n the air. Leave her. Lea

ry. We're both so sorry. We thought... we hoped marrying you would change her. Make

by grief. "She was our grandchild," he said, his voice rough. "But she was your daughter. Your decision, son.

, their love. And because of them, I had met Sarah, and because of Sarah, I ha

bowed my head to them. A deep, silent gesture of gratitude and finality. I would take Lily and I would go.

he bedroom d

mmaculately, her makeup perfect. She looked like she'd just c

ing behind my parents like a coward. You have some nerve, yo

lood running cold. Sh

" I asked, my voic

say something so sick just to ge

m just a few days ago. "Daddy, you're my best friend

much of a child? You run away from home, you turn off your phone, you tell disgusting lies. All becau

y arm, and tried to haul me off the b

going home. You're going to apologize to me, and

ought Lily was at home, waiting for us. The woman who gave birth to her had n

riate her more. She shoved me hard, send

d. "Why are you just sitting there lo

ror. Then I met her furious, uncomprehending eyes. I let th

s dead,