Chapter 6 - Lily’s Warning
On the morning of the wedding, Lily woke before sunrise.
Claire found her sitting beside the villa’s open doors, still wearing her pajamas. The sky above the ocean was turning from black to violet.
“You should be sleeping,” Claire said.
“I had a bad dream.”
Claire sat beside her.
“Tell me.”
Lily pulled her knees close.
“I was walking with the flower basket, but everyone kept telling me I was doing it wrong. Then Aunt Vanessa took all the flowers and threw them into the ocean.”
“It was only a dream.”
“I know.”
But Lily did not look relieved.
Claire wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
“Has Aunt Vanessa said something to you?”
Lily hesitated.
“Yesterday she told me not to ruin her photographs.”
Claire’s chest tightened.
“What exactly did she say?”
“She said children always make mistakes, and if I made one, everyone would remember me as the girl who destroyed her wedding.”
Claire remained calm for Lily’s sake.
“You could never destroy a wedding by making a mistake.”
“What if I trip?”
“Then I will help you stand.”
“What if I drop the flowers?”
“Then the wind will decorate the island for you.”
Lily smiled faintly.
“What if Aunt Vanessa gets mad?”
Claire looked directly into her eyes.
“Then Aunt Vanessa will be responsible for her own behavior. You are not responsible for an adult’s anger.”
Lily leaned against her.
“Can I stay with you during the party?”
“Every minute.”
Later, Claire found Vanessa in the bridal villa surrounded by stylists.
“Did you tell Lily she might destroy your wedding?”
Vanessa did not look away from the mirror.
“I told her to be careful.”
“You frightened her.”
“She is too sensitive.”
“She is eight.”
One of the stylists quietly left the room.
Vanessa turned.
“This is exactly what I mean. You treat Lily as though the entire world must change to protect her.”
“She is my child. Protecting her is my responsibility.”
“Your obsession with her is unhealthy.”
Claire stared at her sister.
Vanessa continued before she could respond.
“Mom says you became controlling after James died. You cannot protect everyone from everything, Claire.”
“No. But I can protect my daughter from you.”
Vanessa stood, careful not to disturb her unfinished hair.
“Do not threaten me on my wedding day.”
“It is not a threat. Lily stays beside me after the ceremony. You will not direct her, criticize her, or use her for photographs without asking me.”
Vanessa gave a small laugh.
“You forget who today is about.”
Claire walked to the door.
“No, Vanessa. You forget who Lily is to me.”
As Claire left, she passed Margaret in the hallway.
Her mother had clearly been listening.
“You are going to apologize,” Margaret said.
“No.”
“Vanessa is under enormous pressure.”
“Pressure reveals character. It does not create it.”
Margaret reached for Claire’s arm, but Claire stepped away.
“Do not touch me.”
“You are behaving like an outsider.”
May you like
Claire looked at her mother for a long moment.
“Perhaps I finally understand that I am one.”
