THE ROOM felt smaller the moment Mary placed the old envelope into Lily’s hands.
It was weathered, edges softened by time, corners bent as if it had traveled far before finally reaching her. Lily stared at her father’s handwriting on the front of it. Even after all these years, she recognized the bold slant of the letters. Her breath caught in her throat.
“Lily,” Mary whispered, voice soft but steady, “I didn’t know when to give this to you. I was scared. But you need it now.”
Lily nodded, though her fingers trembled around the envelope. She sat slowly on the edge of the bed. Mary sank beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched. Jeremiah stood in the doorway, arms braced on either side, as if forcing himself not to step closer. His jaw was tight, eyes locked on her, barely bl
