Page 123 of How to Break My Heart 1

“How do I start to take care of myself?” My shoulders curl as I touch my temple, only to close my eyes, overwhelmed. “Billie will need time off, but I’m not sure how long that will be. Everyone in town is badgering me on what happened, like I’m some sort of news outlet.”

“I’m coming back home,” he states adamantly.

“Elliot, you can’t come back home.”

“You need help with the café.”

“Yes,” I barely admit in a whisper.

“Then consider this a nonnegotiable.”

“But you have your Michelin-star restaurant,” I remind him. “And what about Nicole?”

“Eva, you’re my little sister. Family first, okay?”

My hand instinctively covers my mouth. I’m relieved to know I’m not alone and my brother is here for me. “Thank you, Elliot. I miss you.”

“Miss you too, sis.” He chuckles softly. “Listen, I have to go, but can we talk more later tonight?”

“Deal,” I say before hanging up.

My arms hug the cushion as I continue to sit in the dark. Outside, the rain gently taps on the window, but the sound is somewhat comforting.

I think about what Elliot said.

The words finally ingrained into me.

I need to take a moment and think about myself. Otherwise, I’m no good to anyone else.

Later in the day, Elliot calls to check in on me. He told the restaurant he was coming back to the States for at least the summer. I will be glad to have him back, even if it sounds selfish. More than ever, I miss my family.

Although I promised him I would take care of myself, I find little to no time for self-care. Billie needs help with the funeral preparations. I never realized how much was involved, but nevertheless, it had to be done.

I closed the store for a week, which got everyone in town talking. Not that I cared since I didn’t have the mental bandwidth to deal with them anyway.

Maddy texted to check in, letting me know she is not too far away and is staying at an Airbnb until the funeral. I know it’s important for her to attend and be there for Billie, even if it means traveling back to Cinnamon Springs.

I’d heard Myles and his family had taken off to Ireland, but like all the rumors in town, I took it with a grain of salt.

Today is the day of the funeral, and I stand behind Billie in case she needs me. Her family grieves at the front, comforting each other as Seraphina is laid to rest.

When “Amazing Grace” plays, and the coffin is lowered into the ground, I stand next to Maddy and bow my head, allowing myself to mourn a woman who deserved a better life.

Her legacy, a young woman named Billie Mae Reynolds, will live on, and I silently pray for Seraphina to protect her daughter from heaven above.

At the wake, family and friends stop by to pay their respects. Billie insisted all the guests wear bright colors to honor her mom, so this is nothing like a regular funeral gathering where everyone is dressed in black.

Billie joins us after a few guests have said goodbye and conveniently taken some food home. Everyone brought a dish so there are plenty of leftovers.

I rub her lower back, knowing it’s been a long day. “How are you holding up?”

She sits beside me on the chestnut leather sofa, resting her head on my shoulder. “I’m okay. Mom would have been so happy to see everyone.”

I smile back at her. “You’re strong, and I’m proud of you.”

On my other side is Maddy. She drove in early this morning and is flying out tonight to some retreat her mother recommended in Switzerland.

Billie leans over, catching Maddy’s attention. “So, how long do I wait to set you up?”