Not Your Bride, Not Your Free Nanny

It had been barely a week since my sister's funeral when my brother-in-law casually picked up my niece's toy diamond ring and proposed to me.

I turned to my mom. "Did that come free with the funeral wreath?"

My mom grabbed my hand and pushed it toward his.

"You're twenty-nine already. If your sister hadn't died and left Ivy without a mother, would a rich family like the Campbells ever look twice at you? Just settle and make it work."

My niece clutched the hem of my skirt too, and spoke hesitantly, "Auntie, when I grow up, I'll take good care of you, I promise.