She had spent thirty-three years earning her spot on that pedestal, and it was the only emotional pension she had.

I closed the laptop.

“I can’t ask Chelsea to burn her whole life down for me.”

“Maybe stop deciding things for her,” Ben said quietly.

“Your family is very good at doing that.”

And, as if the universe had been holding its breath waiting for its cue, my phone lit up on the table between us.