Chapter 5: Drawing Boundaries

The next morning, Aunt Lisa and I had breakfast—eggs, toast, and some old-fashioned chicken soup—when someone from Derek’s side came to report. They said Derek was sick and couldn’t come down to say good morning, and begged her forgiveness. The sunlight streamed through the stained glass, scattering rainbows across the table.

Derek always kept up his courtesies, even with Aunt Lisa, his stepmom. Skipping the morning greeting wasn’t like him. Old habits die hard in southern families.

Aunt Lisa put down her fork, concern etched on her face.

“Why did he suddenly fall ill? Has a doctor seen him?”

The housekeeper, Charlie, shot me a look. I ignored him and kept sipping my soup, my stomach churning as I forced down every spoonful.

Charlie replied, “He had a little too much to drink last night at the gala, missed a step, and fell into the lake. The spring water’s freezing. No matter how strong you are, that’s a shock. He had a fever all night and it still ain’t broke.” I could almost picture Derek stumbling into the moonlight and splashing through the reeds.

Aunt Lisa was worried, already at the door to visit Derek when Charlie suddenly asked, “Ain’t Miss Wren coming along to see Derek?”

Aunt Lisa turned, her gaze soft. “Yeah, Aubrey, you always follow your cousin around. Why aren’t you going today?”

I put down my spoon. “I won’t go. Aunt, please give my regards to Derek for me.” Then, more serious, “I was young and naive before. From now on, I won’t bother Derek anymore.”

Derek was sick a long time, and I never went to see him—not even once.

I even let go of the piano and chess lessons.

In my last life, I broke myself apart, ground myself to dust, and remade myself into the girl Derek liked.

He liked piano, so I practiced endlessly. He liked chess, so I found a tutor and studied for hours just to spend time with him.

Derek never knew. The truth was, I didn’t like piano or chess.

This time, I want to be the real Aubrey Wren.