Epilogue
E stelle sighed and turned off her phone. Her eyes strayed to her brother, broken and bruised and bandaged. His body was filled with tubes and wires, and the large stump where his leg used to be hit her chest like a sledgehammer.
Her eyes stung with tears, but Estelle forced them back. She’d already cried so many times, and none of her tears or pleadings had managed to change their family’s circumstances.
Her eyes drifted from Antony’s leg up to his face, which was staunchly facing his window. He barely blinked, and if she didn’t see the rise and fall of his chest and hear the beep of the heart monitor, it would be easy to assume he was a statue.
Why is this happening to us? Why him? Why Dad? Why are some of the best people I know being ruined?
She swallowed the bile that had risen in her throat. They’d been dealing with her father’s disease for a long time now, and as the oldest child at home, Estelle had worked hard to be stable and poised. Her younger sisters needed someone to look up to, not someone who would fall apart at the slightest breeze .
Except…that’s exactly how Estelle felt. Every part of her felt brittle and as broken as her brother lying across the room.
No matter how many times she smiled in public or assured the neighbors that their family was doing alright, Estelle was far from okay. She didn’t understand why these horrible things were happening and especially why they were happening all at once.
When it rains, it pours, right? Somehow, I managed a tsunami.
A small huff of air escaped as she struggled with her bitter thoughts. The feelings swirling in her gut were anything but pleasant, and Estelle wished she were strong enough to get rid of them, but she wasn’t. She wasn’t the indomitable backbone that her family seemed to think she was. She was a tired, frightened little girl, hiding behind smiles and reassurances, but dying a little more inside each day.
Her phone buzzed and Estelle automatically looked at her brother, but he didn’t flinch at the sound. Holding back another sigh, she glanced at the text. “Well, hey,” Estelle offered. “Aspen says they managed to get the Underwoods out of the hospital room, and Ryan is currently convincing Brielle that they belong together.”
She smiled at Antony, praying desperately that he would look her way. “Isn’t that great? I barely remember him, but Maeve says he’s a vet now and that’s a perfect fit for Brielle. Don’t you think?”
Antony didn’t so much as twitch a finger.
Her smile began to crumble, but Estelle pushed it wider instead. “You know…they’re just down the hall. I’ll bet the whole crew would love to come see you.”
“No.”
Estelle cut off her ramblings. At least he spoke, right? “I…are you sure? Gavin was here. And Austin. You haven’t met Gavin’s wife yet. She’s so tiny?—”
“I said no.”
Those stupid tears. Estelle blinked rapidly and cleared her throat. “Alright.” She began texting Aspen. “I’m sure we can chat with them another time.”
There had been a time in Estelle’s life when she was sure the pain of her father’s illness would be the hardest thing she’d ever have to endure. It, however, had been followed by an even heavier weight when she realized that not only was she going to watch her younger sisters find their significant others first…but that she would probably lose her father before she ever found her own.
Jealousy had been a bitter companion, coupled with the grief of her father’s rapidly declining life.
And now? Estelle had no idea she had any heart left to break, but when word of her brother had come and she’d seen the state he was in physically as well as mentally, the last remaining pieces of her were smashed to powder.
Actually…it’s a good thing you aren’t married, she reassured herself. Mom needs you. Your dad needs you. Your sisters need you and now, Antony needs you. If you were busy with a family, you wouldn’t be able to take care of them as they deserve.
Estelle swallowed down the regret and longing that was begging for release. Now wasn’t the time to think of herself. Her family needed to heal, and she also had a responsibility to help keep the cafe going while their attention was divided.
Hopefully, Brielle and Ryan would be yet another customer, and Estelle would build them a beautiful wedding cake to rival the Queen of England.
The fun and satisfaction of helping bring happiness to other couples would have to be enough. Between her family and the business, Estelle could barely breathe from the crushing weight. If she’d been lucky enough to have a partner in life, it would only complicate matters.
She nodded to herself in determination. No more whining. No more crying. No more pity parties. People…the people she loved most in the world…needed her. She would be there for everything. She would support them emotionally and financially. She would refuse to let anyone break them up or pull her family apart. They’d gotten through hard times before. and they could do it again.
Estelle would make sure of it. There was truly no other option.
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