Grace turned her head toward the small sofa by the window, where Lily slept under a yellow blanket. She was four then, with dark curls and one hand wrapped around a stuffed rabbit.
“Promise me Lily will never feel like a guest in her own home.”
Lucas swallowed hard. “She won’t.”
“Not even if you marry again.”
Lucas closed his eyes. “Grace…”
“One day, you may need someone,” Grace said softly. “I don’t want you to be alone forever. But whoever comes into your life must love her too. Not tolerate her. Not push her aside. Love her.”