The word was quiet, but it dropped into the silent church like a boulder into a still pond.

Every head swiveled toward me.

The board members from ValeTech, sitting rigid in the second pew, leaned forward, their eyes wide.

I had not spoken a single public word since the night the hospital called to tell me Emma was gone.

I had refused the vultures from the local press. I had ignored Evan’s superficial text messages.

I hadn’t even spoken to the parish priest about the eulogy.

I released my white-knuckled grip on my own hands and raised my chin, meeting Evan’s terrified, furious stare.