Turning my head, I try to hide the hurt I feel. Hurt I know I have no right to feel. My heart believes differently and a lone tear trails down my cheek.

Vera cups my face in her hands, forcing me to look at her. I swallow hard when I see her eyes shimmer, too. “Rosalie, I’m sorry. So sorry. I wish… I wish things were different, but Father…”

Her jaw works a few times before she continues. “Lloyd’s a good man, at least, and I do love him, in a way. Or I believe I could do… someday…”