pte

IE W

eyes had shifted to me, pro

tighten

could have wished fo

see tha

ut then he looked away. Except that it wasn't with refusa

mach k

d crossed th

t to ask for this, but mom and dad insisted that

ith men. My last relationship almost destroyed me, and I just..." she paused and covered her face, "I only wante

ing

a single one of her relationships ever turne

t the corner of her lips, was a smile that wasn't sad at all. "I'm not ta

, and she stumbled back, crashi

I didn't ev

All of them were folding around Ivy like she was g

d mine, burning with fury

our sister." Mom glared at

he asked to marry my fia

thony's voice was the one that broke me

ed so hard, my knu

then turned without a word and

verything, and you can't do this one thing for your sister?

d, then a low dry

item? How coul

"The least you can do is give her this.

dopt me!" The words sa

begged t

the moment the door clicked sh

nutes later, and I quickly wiped my t

eached for me, a

is side. "Can you stop being dr

at him. "

phi

My voice cracked shakily. "And

. It would be cruel not to give her th

ed higher. "What about what I'v

cheek. His eyes were fixed on mine. I searched them for that familiar warmt

Her family. Her birthday. Everything that was supposed to be hers..." He

before I could

first, and for just a second, befor

ness the moment Anthony looked at her. She mov

th it, Anthony. It doesn't matter." A tear slid down her cheek

cof

. "You don't have to feel bad. Sophie is just..." h

" Ivy said softly. "She'

tisfaction on her face before she turned back to

ds. "I'll make your wish com

od ran

ched it happen. A pro

ing her face. "Anthony made this choice hims

stretched

ned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "I

lt to mirror me and keep my family from falling apart. You were never real to them.

tightened so hard, pai

dn't

epped back, I manag

" I met her eyes.

ained fro

o break, crumble at her feet

ast thing I'