Black Dahlia (The Dahlia Trilogy of The Gilded Flower Series Book 2) Read Online Free

make a decision, so you did something that would compel you to want to leave.”
    “Vi,” Lily warns. “This isn’t the time.”
    “What? Why can’t I bring him up?”
    “Who? Shane or Sebastian?” Dahlia asks defensively, not appreciating the reminder of her encounter with Sebastian.
    “Both. You’ve been here two weeks and you’re a shell of a person, D. Shane’s death just sucked the life out of you.”
    “She’s allowed to mourn Shane, Vi.” Lily comes to Dahlia’s defense.
    “Of course she is, Lily. I know that. But Dahlia isn’t mourning him. She’s drowning in her depression.”
    “You’re talking about me as if I’m not even here,” Dahlia cuts in.
    “Well you’re really not, are you?” Vi replies quickly. “I will support and cajole and be sad with you, if that’s what you need. But you’re in a bad place, D. You’re letting Shane’s death kill you from the inside out.”
    Dahlia turns to Lily. “Do you agree?”
    Lily shrugs, not wanting to gang up on her sister, but needing to say what she’s kept to herself for the past month. “I think you’re in a difficult place. Your time with Shane was beautiful. He helped you deal with your daughter’s death. He helped you heal. But you’re cheating yourself out of a happy life if you don’t let him go. It’s not as if you know for certain how things would’ve been between you two had he lived.”
    Dahlia gasps. “You’ve got to be kidding. I can’t believe you’re saying this. Shane and I were happy!”
    “D, in the end, it doesn’t change the reality. He’s not here for you to find out,” Lily says. “He may have been a part of the life you wanted, but he wasn’t your life. I think it will help if you consider your purpose, a passion that will wake you inside. Do you even know what that is?”
    Dahlia pauses, her thoughts too blurred by her anger at Vi and Lily. “Is this what you guys talk about when I’m not around?” Dahlia asks.
    “No, of course not,” Lily replies gently. “All I want is to see you come out of this dark place.”
    Dahlia sighs and closes her eyes. “Easier said than done.”
    Vi says, “It always is.”
    Lily nods in agreement. Since leaving Jack, she’s never felt more at peace and complete in her life. Taking a risk opened more doors to opportunities than she would’ve had if she had become Mrs. Jack Rothstein. She sighs and glances over at Dahlia, hoping that her sister will one day feel the same.
     

Chapter 10
    “D,” Lily calls out.
    Dahlia walks out onto her balcony, wiping the sleep from her eyes. “What?” She yawns.
    “Vi and I are going island hopping today, maybe end up in Bali for a bit. Vi’s wanting a change of scenery. You wanna come?”
    Dahlia leans on the rail and shakes her head. “No thanks.” Hard to imagine the other islands look so different from this one with its overgrown palm trees, fruit trees and flowers in constant bloom. Apart from the immense house they occupied, there was nothing but tropical beauty. Vi decided against Bali because it became too commercial after that woman who ate and prayed her way to love wrote her book. Instead they found a small private island that boasted a handful of villas, each on their own five-acre lot with private beach access, and one small fishing village.
    “Can I bring you anything?”
    Again, Dahlia shakes her head, quickly growing tired of Lily’s mothering. “I’ll be fine, Lil. Don’t worry.”
    “Alright. The cook went to some other island to stock up, but there’s food in the fridge if you get hungry. I also left an emergency number for the property manager in the kitchen in case you need anything.”
    Dahlia waves her off. “I’ll be fine. I’m a grown girl. Stop fretting like an old spinster.”
    “Suit yourself,” Lily replies, slinging her canvas bag over her shoulder. “Oh, and D, it’s nice to see you awake before noon.” Dahlia flashes her middle finger at Lily in response.
    Dahlia throws