The note never mentioned a debt or a promise of romance.

It wasn’t even particularly solemn.

It sounded like Chloe, who could make a joke while everyone else was losing the courage to speak.

Paige was crying beside me.

“She wouldn’t tell me what was in the note,” she said.

“She said that if she explained it, we’d both try to talk her out of it.”

“Did you know about the inheritance?”

“That there was money, yes.

That she chose you to receive her share, no.

I thought she was leaving everything to me.”

I started to apologize, but Paige raised a hand.

“Don’t.

I’m surprised, not angry.

And it’s what she wanted.”