“Something like instructions for finding your spine when people try to convince you that you don’t have one.”
I had swatted his arm and told him not to be dramatic.
Now I understood.
Frederick turned toward the house as though retreating inside could restore his authority.
Miles stopped him.
“Before anyone goes anywhere, there is another matter.”
His gaze moved to Avery.
“Hazel says you removed her wedding ring from her hand.”
Avery’s fingers touched her coat pocket.
“It was my mother’s diamond.”
“Was it given to Jasper?” Miles asked.
“It was his family’s.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Avery’s lips tightened.
I remembered Jasper telling me on our wedding night that his grandmother had once worn the stone.
I had always treated it carefully because I believed it carried family history.
Apparently Avery believed family history was something she could revoke whenever she stopped considering me family.
Miles looked at me.
“Was the ring given to you when you married Jasper?”
“Yes.”
He turned back to Avery.
“Return it.”
Her face flushed.
“She doesn’t deserve it.”
That sentence hurt more than I expected.
Not because I believed her.
Because Rose heard it.
My nine-year-old daughter was standing close enough to understand every word.
I crouched beside her.
“Rose, look at me.”
She did.
“Nothing Grandma says changes who your father loved.
Do you understand?”
Her eyes filled again, but she nodded.
When I stood, Avery was staring at us.
For one fleeting second, shame crossed her face.
Then Frederick spoke.
“Give her the ring.
We’ll deal with this properly later.”
Avery pulled it from her pocket and placed it in my palm.
She did not apologize.
I didn’t need her to.
The band was cold from the air.
I slid it back onto my finger myself.
Toby watched me do it.
Something in his shoulders loosened.
Frederick still had the house key.
Miles looked at it.
“That too.”
Frederick’s fist closed.
“This is my son’s house.”
I finally spoke.
“It was Jasper’s home.”
He looked at me.
“And mine.
And Toby’s.
