Chapter 5: Umbrella in the Savannah Sun

On the day we left, I made sure to walk by Lily’s stand, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

The morning was bright, the air thick with honeysuckle. I walked slow, savoring my last moments in Savannah. My heart ached for Lily, for all the girls like her, fighting battles nobody else could see.

She was there, but not selling cornbread. She’d stuck a blade of grass in her hair, wore black clothes, and knelt there, calling out, “Today I, Lily Ramirez, am selling myself to bury my mother. As long as it’s not that Mason creep, as long as my mother can be laid to rest, I ask for nothing—do with me as you will!”

The sight of her, proud and desperate, broke something inside me. I clenched my fists, anger and sorrow warring in my chest. Nobody should have to beg for dignity—not here, not anywhere.

Not far away, Carter Ellison was straightening his jacket, trying to hide his smile, ready to step forward.

He looked smug, sure he’d win. I saw the way he smoothed his hair, practiced that smile. It made my skin crawl, knowing what he was about to do.

I looked at my mom. “Mom, I want to do something.”

My voice was low, but steady. Mom met my eyes, searching for any sign of doubt. I stood tall, ready to leap.

She looked up at me. “If you do this, breaking off the engagement will be a hundred times harder. Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

She spoke soft, eyes gentle but steady. I could tell she worried, but she trusted me to choose. I took a deep breath, bracing myself.

I shook my head. “I won’t.”

The words felt like a promise. I squared my shoulders, ready to do what was right, no matter the cost.

In the sticky June heat, I held an umbrella over the girl’s head and quietly asked, “If I help you bury your mama, will you come with me?”

The umbrella cast a patch of shade over us, a small mercy in the blazing sun. I looked into Lily’s eyes, hoping she could see I meant every word. The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting.

She lifted her beautiful face, tears in her voice. “As long as my mama can be buried, I’ll follow you for the rest of my life.”

Her words were soft, but full of conviction. I squeezed her hand, offering comfort the only way I knew. In that moment, we were bound by loss and hope.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Carter Ellison freeze where he stood.

His face drained of color, his confidence gone. For once, he was powerless—no charm, no family name to hide behind. I felt a strange sense of triumph, knowing I’d taken back my story.

He didn’t dare step forward. He knew that even if we married in the future, right now we weren’t wed. To covet another woman in front of your fiancée was to drag the Ellison name through the mud.

The rules were clear, and Carter knew it. He hung back, bravado fading. I wondered if he’d ever understand the real price of what he’d done.

I helped Lily up and wiped the tears from her face. “The dead come first. Go home and keep vigil for your mama. I’ll find her a good resting place.”

Her gratitude was silent, but deep. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, guiding her away from the crowd. For once, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.