Chapter 1
Valentina did not look at Grant after he crashed through the wicker baskets.
She did not look at Evelyn beneath the broken lattice either.
She turned immediately toward Adelaide.
Her mother had one hand pressed against Leo’s shoulder.
The other was trembling.
Valentina saw it.
Her expression changed.
“Mom.”
Adelaide lifted her eyes.
“I’m fine.”
Her voice was steady.
Her breathing was not.
Valentina stepped closer.
“You almost got hit with a cane.”
Adelaide’s mouth tightened.
“That wasn't the dangerous part.”
Valentina stopped.
Behind them, Grant pushed a broken basket lid away from his chest.
Evelyn sat among torn vines, one palm pressed against the grass.
Neither spoke.
Leo bent down slowly.
He picked up the paper wrapper from his destroyed cupcake.
Frosting covered one sneaker.
His bottom lip trembled.
“Grandma didn't get it.”
Valentina crouched.
Her fingers brushed the frosting from his shoe.
Adelaide’s face softened.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.”
Leo looked up.
“No.”
His small hand closed around Valentina’s sleeve.
“She was gonna tell you.”
Valentina’s eyes moved toward her mother.
“Tell me what?”
Adelaide went still.
Grant’s breathing changed behind them.
Valentina heard it.
She slowly stood.
“What were you going to tell me?”
Adelaide looked toward Grant.
That glance was enough.
Grant’s jaw tightened.
Evelyn pushed herself upright.
“This is ridiculous.”
Valentina did not even turn.
“Then stay quiet.”
Evelyn froze.
The calmness in Valentina’s voice landed harder than another slap.
Adelaide reached into her cardigan pocket.
Nothing.
Her fingers searched again.
Then the other pocket.
Her face changed.
Valentina saw it.
“What’s missing?”
Adelaide’s eyes lifted.
“A red envelope.”
Grant’s hand moved toward his jacket.
Only half an inch.
Valentina noticed.
Her gaze dropped to it.
Grant stopped.
“What was inside?”
Adelaide took one slow breath.
“Something your father left me.”
The garden became silent again.
Valentina’s father had been dead for four years.
Grant stared at their mother.
For the first time since the fight, his arrogance disappeared.
Leo looked between the adults.
Then pointed toward the collapsed picnic baskets.
“Uncle Grant put Grandma’s red thing there.”
Grant’s face drained.
Valentina turned toward the wreckage.
One basket lay open beneath him.
May you like
Empty.
The envelope was gone.
