Odile forced the housemaid Imogen’s bandaged hands down onto the grand piano keys despite the obvious pain.
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Chapter 12 / 17
Chapter 12
One year later, Mariel asked to see Helena’s grave.
I went with her.
She stood quietly.
No dramatic speech.
No collapse.
Then:
“She always hated lilies.”
I looked at the flowers.
Every memorial had lilies.
Of course.
“What did she like?”
“Peonies.”
The next week we changed the grave flowers.
Small correction.
Embarrassingly late.
Then Mariel said:
“She would hate that I came back because of Odile.”
“Maybe.”
“And love that Imogen plays.”
“Probably.”
We both stopped.
Dead people are easy to use.
We decided not to keep speaking for Helena.
Better.
Mariel placed one peony down.
Then walked away.
May you like
No forgiveness announced.
None required.
