Chapter 20

In the dream, Isaiah was kneeling on one knee. In his hand was a wedding ring he had carved himself, and he gazed lovingly at the woman in the white gown before him. "Essie, will you marry me? I promise to love you, stay loyal to you, and be by your side for the rest of my life. I will never betray you." The woman in front of him finally moved, revealing a delicate but unfamiliar face. It wasn't Esme—it was Audrey. Yet Isaiah appeared oblivious, looking at her with the same devotion. Just as Audrey opened her mouth to speak, Esme jolted awake from the dream. She stared blankly out the window, her mind reeling from the strange vision. "Essie, are you awake?" Ruby's voice came from outside the door along with a few knocks. Esme patted her face and quickly responded, "I'm up, Aunt Ruby." Only then did Ruby open the door, handing Esme an invitation that a friend had sent through a courier. Esme remembered briefly chatting with an old friend when she had first returned to the countr