“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Ophelia muttered, glaring at Charise. After a solid three hours of arguing (interrupted by a student asking Charise for directions to the restroom in the building), Ophelia had reluctantly agreed to attend the memorial service.

Now, here she stood before the building, frowning. Damn, she thought bitterly. Damn Charise for talking me into this, and damn Dunstan for putting me in this position in the first place. Honestly, the things I do for Charise! This had better be worth my time, or else she’ll never hear the end of it from me.

“Oh, come on!” Charise cried out, exasperated. She tugged at Ophelia‘s arm. “We can’t stand here all day. We’ll just go in, make an appearance, and leave. It’s more polite than pretending it didn’t happen.”

“I’m not pretending it didn’t happen,” Ophelia snapped. “Quite the opposite. I’m well aware of everything that happened, and I don’t want to honor someone who’s hurt so many people. He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness or my presence at a memorial service.”

Charise rolled her eyes. “Look, it won’t kill you to go in and at least say ‘hi’ to the people there, will it?”

Ophelia muttered something that was inaudible to Charise’s ears, then frowned up at her. “You just don’t get it,” Ophelia declared.

“We can discuss this later.”


Jade looked around the room, feeling uncomfortable and out of place. Valo was seated beside her, arms crossed and looking bored. Nearby, Angela’s family was sitting, separated; her mother, stepmother, and daughter sat clustered on one sofa, while her father and siblings were squeezed together on another sofa, frowning. In a plush chair was an elderly-looking gentleman, Dunstan’s father.

Someone say something, Jade thought desperately. I don’t know what to say or do in a situation like this.

As though on cue, Ophelia and Charise entered the room. Valo rose to go over and greet them.

Jade heard Mona whisper to her grandmother, “What are they doing here? That’s my school counselor.” In response, her grandmother whispered, “It’s probably because of your father, sweetie.”


Dunstan’s father rose as well and greeted Charise. “Miss Marlow, you’re looking well,” he greeted her, giving her a brief hug.

“It’s Mrs. Verona now,” Charise gently corrected. “I’ve been married for a while now.”

“Of course,” Mr. Diggory muttered. “I always did say it was a shame that Dunstan didn’t marry you, instead of that Angela girl.” He looked over to Ophelia quizzically. “And you are…?”

“Ophelia Foley-Cloud. Charise’s younger cousin,” Ophelia responded sharply.

“Smile, darling. You’d be prettier if you smiled,” Mr. Diggory said, patting her shoulder.

“I’m not in the mood to smile,” Ophelia retorted, shrugging off his hand and sitting down.

“Ah, mourning?”

Ophelia did not give a response. Charise smiled politely at the others in the room and greeted them.

“What are you doing here?” Mona asked bluntly.

“I was invited,” came the response. “And who are all these other people?”

“These are my grandmas, Jill and Edna. And--”

“And I’m Walter, Angela’s father,” interrupted the stern-looking gentleman sitting nearby. “And these,” he added, indicating the weary-looking adults sitting beside him, “are my son, Tom, and my daughter, Lucy.”

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” Charise greeted them. “It’s a shame we couldn’t have met under better circumstances.”


“Now that everyone’s here, we can get started,” a woman announced. Ophelia jumped a little, surprised. A youngish woman rose from her seat in the corner and slowly made her way to the center of the room. Nodding politely to Charise, she added, “I’m Ani Gaines. You know my grandfather, Mrs. Verona. I’m following in the family tradition of going into law.”

“So, what’s all this about?” Valo asked. “Why were we asked to come?”

“I’m afraid it’s a bit complicated,” Ani responded.