The Confession Read Online Free PDF Page A

give us a tour of the work completed today? I would love to see it.” Emily placed her arm through his and led him toward the back door.
    Aimee followed behind them into the backyard. The sun was still shining, illuminating the vivid flowers surrounding them on all sides. They walked deeper onto the property, past the pool and away from the cottages. They approached the newly installed sandstone patio. Emily slid her arm away from Mark’s, clapping her hands together in glee.
    “It’s so beautiful,” she sang, spinning in a circle.
    The patio was surrounded on one side by multiple rose bushes, their blossoms bursting open in an array of colors. The opposite side of the patio was still just a dirt-filled flowerbed awaiting the next day’s planting. Wrought iron furniture with bright yellow cushions sat in a circle, inviting long conversations.
    “Don’t they smell marvelous?” Emily asked, leaning her head back and inhaling deeply.
    “They do,” Aimee replied, taking a moment to enjoy their scent. “Roses have always been my favorite flower.”
    “Mine, too,” Emily responded, sitting down in one of the chairs and tucking her legs under her.
    Aimee noticed the look of peace on Emily’s face as her eyes scanned the rose garden. She realized Emily’s expression mirrored her own feelings as she curled up in the chair across from her. Roses had always made her happy, and it felt right that she and Emily would share that.
    After speaking to her sister, Aimee desperately needed to shake the turmoil she felt. Even after sharing a brief moment with Emily, she found herself mentally debating her decision to come here. Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of weeping. She watched Emily remove something from her sleeve, place it on a rose bud, and with a mumbled “excuse me” walk quickly from the rose garden, tears running unchecked down her face.
    “What happened?” she asked Mark. “What’s wrong with Emily?”
    She could see Mark fighting back tears of his own before he finally answered, “She saw a ladybug.”
    “A ladybug? I don’t understand.”
    “Ladybugs are very symbolic for Emily.” He paused, as if carefully choosing his words. “Ladybugs are protectors. They eat the insects that will harm her roses. She calls them the protectors of the beautiful.”
    “If they are good for her roses and protectors, why does seeing one reduce her to tears?”
    He looked at her for a long moment, crinkling his brow in thought. “Sometimes, even the protectors fail to protect what’s most precious, what’s most beautiful.” He bowed his head and inhaled deeply, before slowly rising from his chair. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do back at the cottage. Goodnight Aimee, I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Sitting alone, surrounded by thousands of beautiful roses, she suddenly understood.

Chapter 7
    Walking into the kitchen the following morning, Aimee was surprised to find the room empty. Emily and Mark weren’t laughing and sipping coffee at the table in the corner, and Mimsey wasn’t cooking eggs at the stove. Today was different from the day before, and in the silence was sadness. She poured herself a cup of coffee, and taking it with her, headed out of the kitchen toward the office.
    She found Emily seated behind her desk, her head bent forward concentrating on the computer screen. Aimee said “good morning” and walked around to her own desk.
    Emily smiled at her. “Good morning, Aimee. I apologize for my behavior last night. I think I was a bit over-tired and somewhat overwhelmed.”
    “No apologies necessary.”
    “It was just a silly ladybug,” Emily continued. “I seem to have a love-hate relationship with them.”
    “There is no need to apologize or explain.”
    “Was Mark okay? He worries about me more than he should.”
    “He seemed fine. He obviously loves you very much.”
    “Too much, I’m afraid.” Emily’s eyes lit up as she leaned back in her chair. “You