I was almost offended by how relieved I felt.

An hour after that, Evelyn sent flowers.

White lilies, a silver ribbon, and a card that read: Family disagreements are private.

Let us resolve this with dignity.

Dana refused delivery to Chloe’s room after consulting the hospital’s visitor and safety plan.

The arrangement remained behind the reception desk, its perfume filling a small corner of the hallway.

The lilies became a strange symbol in my mind.

I remembered Evelyn sending an enormous bouquet to Chloe’s first apartment after their wedding and instructing the delivery service to remove the cheaper flowers Chloe had arranged herself.