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trying to make me leave Sean.
    She turned toward me. “I apologize,
dear, but I have to ask. What happened with Penelope? Sean won’t
speak of it, and Penelope is always vague, saying it just didn’t
work out. Please tell me.”
    She stared at me with the same blue
eyes Sean had. It made me uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Diane. I don’t
know why Sean wants to keep it a secret, but it’s his personal
life. I can’t divulge that information to you.”
    I saw the irritation in her eyes, but
she held back the angry retort that was on her tongue.
“Okay.”
    “ I’m sorry.”
    She sighed. “Please don’t think I
dislike you, Scarlet. I just have to make sure my son is making the
right decision. You know we love you.”
    I nodded.
    “ Sean told me how much he
loved Penelope and that he was going to marry her. A few months
later, he shows up with you and says you’re engaged. I don’t know
what happened, but I don’t want him to rush into anything.” She
stared at me, waiting for me to reply. “I just want the best for my
son.”
    “ I understand.”
    “ Please tell me, Scar. I
won’t tell him you told me.”
    I sighed. “I can’t, Diane. I would
never break his trust.”
    She stared at me, irritated that I
wouldn’t be honest with her.
    “ But I will tell you one
thing.”
    Her eyes widened.
    “ Their breakup was the
best thing that ever happened to Sean. He is much better off
without her and he deserves something better. Your son is in good
hands.”
    “ But isn’t that statement
biased?”
    I wanted to grab the binder and hit
her upside the head. I breathed through the anger. “Just take my
word for it.”
    She was quiet for a long moment then
returned to the wedding book. She circled all of our—her—decisions
in red then closed the book. “I’ll get started on this
soon.”
    This wedding was never going to
happen. Even though I received my inheritance money, I wouldn’t
spend it on one ridiculous, frivolous wedding. How did she expect
me and Sean to pay for this? We aren’t millionaires,
too.
    “ Thank you for your help.”
I didn’t mean a word I said, but I had to get it out.
    She nodded. “You’re
welcome.”
    I rose from the table then walked up
the stairs. “I’m not feeling well. I think I’m going to lie down
for a little while.”
    “ Okay, dear. I hope you
feel better.”
    “ Thanks.”
    As soon as I walked into our bedroom,
I collapsed on the bed and stared out the window. I was frustrated
with the way everything turned out. I just wanted to go home. I was
also irritated with Sean that he didn’t just tell his mother the
truth about Penelope. I didn’t understand why he was so secretive
about it. Was he embarrassed that she cheated on him? Was he trying
to protect Penelope? I had no idea.
    After a few moments, I reached for my
purse and pulled out my phone. I called Ryan and waited for him to
answer. I knew it was early in the morning in Seattle, but I didn’t
care if I woke up my brother. He was usually awake pretty early
anyway.
    His voice was raspy when he answered.
“Hello?”
    I sighed. “Hey.”
    Ryan was quiet for a moment. I heard
Janice in the background. “Who is it?” she asked.
    “ Scarlet,” he
whispered.
    Janice yawned. “Tell her I said
hello.”
    Ryan directed his voice into the
phone. “What’s up, Scar? You don’t sound happy.”
    “ That’s because I’m
not.”
    He sighed. “What’s up?”
    “ I don’t even know where
to begin.”
    “ Well, you should get on
with it because I’m about to fall asleep again.”
    “ You don’t sound too
concerned with my well-being.”
    “ Are you hurt? Stranded?
Scared for your safety?”
    “ No.”
    “ Then sorry I don’t sound
too concerned.”
    “ Don’t be an
ass.”
    “ Then don’t be a
brat.”
    We were quiet for a long
time.
    “ Please tell me, Scar. You
know I care.”
    “ A long time ago, Sean
slept with his brother’s girlfriend and his brother has wanted to
get him back ever since.