someone can fix it up and someone who can’t afford one can
have it after.”
Leaving felt worse and worse. What Coralyn had done felt
worse and worse. The sadness creeping up her throat burned
like razorblades. “If you’re sure.” She should refuse. Get out.
Send Giana some cryptic text about changing her mind. She
should ask for an annulment. She shouldn’t go back.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Giana
was struggling. There was pain in her eyes. Her features were
twisted, like she was remembering something, but the foggy
expression told Coralyn that she didn’t. She knew she hated
hospitals. She was offering to come with her anyway.
Coralyn didn’t want to feel the surge of gratitude swelling in
her chest. “No. My dad was adamant that he didn’t want
anyone to see him like this. Especially if you don’t remember
him from before, I don’t want you to remember him like this. I
have photos. Videos. We can watch them later.” Lies. So many
more lies.
Giana passed over the lunch bag and Coralyn took the mug.
“Okay. Drive safe and take care. I know you’re upset. That can
be distracting.” The metal was warm to her cool hands. She
was wearing Giana’s clothes, accepting her kindness. It was
hard to hate this version. To hold anything against her. Very
hard. “Do you need anything else? I’ll open a joint account for
us. You’ll have access to whatever you need. Where do you
work? You can stop that now. I’ll help you find something.
Come work for me. With me. We can sell the house if you
don’t like it. I assume you’re going to move in. I can hire
movers to get your things.” She stopped, breathing in hard
because she was out of breath, and understanding cut through