Lily begged, "Please, I realise I made a mistake.
Please do not exclude me from your life once more.
"You're invaluable. I mean, do you really not grasp it? not the one to exclude people from this family, not at all. Since Ruby hasn't allowed you to damage her in years, perhaps she was the wise one. I have to go now.
Lily rushed to say, "I love you, Caroline," because she was desperate to get the words out before it was too late.
"You know what makes that sad?" Caroline let out a cry. A small cry emerged from her throat. "I accept you." Her phone rang.
Lily could hear the buzz of the dial tone.
With startled eyes, Dee hurried into the living room. "Mr. Adams has a phone call."
"Oh my God!"
"He yelled at me when I informed him you weren't here. He threatened to call his lawyers and
