He laughed. We talked. He was kind, funny, present in a way that Garrett never was.
Rebeca wrapped her hands around the mug.
We started dating. Nothing serious at first. Just coffee, then dinner… and then I fell in love.
— And he fell in love with you.
— And he fell in love with me. But I couldn’t tell anyone. Not you, not the children, nobody. Because if Garrett found out I was dating someone, especially someone with money, he would go back to court, try to reduce the alimony, claim I didn’t need it anymore.
Diana’s jaw clenched.
That sounds exactly like something he would do.
So we kept it a secret. Completely. No social media, no public appearances. Just the two of us, in private.
And Juliano accepted that?
He said he understood, that I needed to protect the twins, that he could wait.
Rebecca’s voice faltered slightly.
— He’s been waiting for eighteen months. And I keep pushing him away. I keep pushing him back. Because I’m afraid of everything. Of him leaving. Of him realizing I’m not worth it. Of him being like Garrett.
She shook her head.
I know it’s not fair to Juliano. He’s never given me reason to doubt him. But I can’t help it.
Diana reached the table and took Rebecca’s hand.
You’re not the problem. You know that, don’t you?
– Be?
— Garrett made you think that. He spent years destroying you, belittling you, making you think you were lucky he stayed as long as he did. But it was all lies, Rebecca. All of them.
Rebeca pulled her hand back, stood up, and walked to the window. Outside, the world seemed normal. People walking their dogs, children riding bicycles.
He said I wasn’t ambitious enough, that I got carried away, that I was boring.
He was cheating on you with your friend. His opinion doesn’t matter.
But what if he was right? What if I really got carried away? What if I was boring?
Rebeca turned to face her sister.
I was so focused on the twins, on keeping the house perfect, on being the perfect wife. Maybe I forgot to be interesting. Maybe I forgot to be myself.
– So as to.
— For what purpose?
Stop defending him. Stop making excuses. Stop acting like you deserved what he did.
Diana stood up and walked over to her.
Listen. Garrett Sullivan is a liar, a traitor, and a fraud. Literally. There’s evidence right there on that table. He stole from you. He hid assets. He committed a crime. And you’re here wondering if you weren’t pretty enough for him.
Rebekah’s eyes burned. She blinked hard.
— I just… look at that woman in the wedding photos and I don’t recognize her anymore. I don’t know where she went.
— She’s still here. She’s just been beaten up for so long that she’s forgotten how to get up.
Then the tears came, hot, quick, furious. Diana pulled her sister into a hug. Rebecca sobbed on her sister’s shoulder. Four years of hell, of heartache, of despair, gushing out.
— I’m so tired, Di. So tired of fighting. Of pretending I’m okay, of acting like everything’s fine when I’m drowning.
– I know.
I work two jobs and I still can’t afford to buy new shoes for the kids. I can’t take them on trips. I can’t give them anything.
— You give love. That’s more than Garrett ever gave them.
Is that enough?
That’s all.
They stayed there, in the middle of the cramped kitchen, until Rebecca’s tears subsided.
Finally, Rebecca stepped away, wiped her face, and laughed awkwardly.
I got your blouse dirty.
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