When Blythe got home from the fitting, she’d called Gabriel to confront him. He’d admitted that Addison had a matching scar on the other arm, and that she assumed she’d tried to take her own life. But he was quick to add that she had no recollection of it.
Blythe had been furious. “You didn’t think to tell us? Gabriel, this is very serious.”
There was a long moment of silence on the other end of the line. “What do you want me to say? I didn’t tell you because I knew this is exactly how you would react.”
“How do you expect me to react? God only knows what’s in her past, and now this—”
“Mom. Stop. I don’t care. I only care about her future. Our future. Maybe she’ll remember one day, and maybe she won’t. In either case, I’ll be with her every step of the way.”
She’d bitten her tongue, knowing that if she didn’t, she’d go too far and push him further away. “We’ll talk about this later.”
Now she headed to the kitchen, where Ted was sitting with the paper and his coffee. She leaned down to give him a peck on the lips.
“Based on the way you tossed and turned all night, I presume you’re still upset,” he said.
She took a seat across from him and pushed her hair back behind her ear. “Yes, of course. Aren’t you?”
He sighed. “I’m not thrilled to learn that she did something so desperate. But we don’t know why.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Does ‘why’ really matter? Clearly she was unbalanced. You don’t slice your wrists up to your elbows unless you’re serious about ending your life.”
“I know, sweetheart, but there’s nothing to be done about it. Gabriel has made up his mind.”
She rose from her seat and started pacing. “I’m aware. He gets that stubborn streak from you.”
He laughed good-naturedly. “You can’t pin this one on me. Weren’t you the one always praising him for his empathy?”
She wasn’t in the mood. “Of course I’m glad he’s kind, but he doesn’t have to throw his life away trying to save a wounded bird. It’s too much. She’s so closed-off, Ted. I try. I try so hard, but it’s like hitting a brick wall.”
He gave her a sympathetic nod, then stood. “Everything will work out. I’m going to head over to the gallery after I stop at the bank. You coming in?”
“Later. I’m meeting Darcy at the club for lunch first.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“She asked if she could get my advice on something. And just because Gabriel and she are no longer a couple, that doesn’t mean she isn’t still a part of our lives.”
He put his hands up in surrender. “Fair enough.”
Darcy had called the night before, asking if she’d meet her at the club because she wanted to get her take on something. Blythe had hesitated only a moment before agreeing. While she realized that it might seem disloyal to Addison, they’d been close with Darcy’s family for years, and her mother had been one of Blythe’s best friends until her devastating sudden death from a heart defect two years before. Gabriel and Darcy had dated since high school, spending summers and school holidays together when they attended colleges in different states. Blythe wasn’t about to turn her back on her now.
The truth was that before Addison came along, Gabriel had seemed happy enough with Darcy. When he decided to end things, Blythe was both surprised and upset. There’d been no warning, nothing to suggest that he wanted out of the relationship. In fact, the following week they were all supposed to head to the Olivers’ Palm Beach house for a long weekend.
Blythe remembered the day her son told her. She’d been in her studio, working on her latest sculpture, when he poked his head in. “Mom, I know you don’t like to be disturbed when you’re working, but can I talk to you for a minute?”
His expression was serious, and she worried that something was wrong. “Of course, come in. What is it? Are you okay?” she asked, her heart in her throat, as he took the seat opposite hers.
“Yes, I’m actually great. I’ve met the woman I’m going to marry.”
Blythe’s mouth had dropped open. “What are you talking about?”
His eyes sparkled in a way she realized she hadn’t seen for a long time. “Mom, she’s amazing. Her name’s Addison. She’s an artist like you. A photographer. I walked into Exposed, and there she was.” He smiled again. “We had coffee and talked nonstop for hours. I can’t stop thinking about her.”