Page 35 of Unspoken Tides

It had all been a blessing. She would spend the rest of her life trying to remind herself it hadn’t also been a curse.

Chapter Thirteen

September 2004 - Nantucket Island

Stella told Hilary not to waste time. “You need to get out of that marriage immediately. Don’t wait around.” Hilary knew Stella was right. If she waited for Rodrick and his new actress to break up—an event that was sure to happen soon, she was prone to taking him back. How could she not? Her entire heart belonged to him.

Within a week of seeing Rodrick in People magazine with that actress, Hilary sat in front of a Nantucket divorce lawyer, outlining what she owned in the marriage and how she thought they should split everything up. She was Isabella Helin’s daughter, which meant she was worth much more than Rodrick. But she didn’t want to stiff him, despite what he’d done. She’d loved him for nearly half her life.

The divorce lawyer was named Jefferson Randall, and he’d handled several divorces from this very office here in Nantucket. Apparently, it wasn’t so uncommon for very rich wives to escape to the Nantucket home while their husbands continued their affairs in the city, waiting for paperwork to arrive in the mail. Hilary wasn’t sure if this made her feel less alone or just more foolish.

“You’re being too kind to him,” Jefferson said, peering over his glasses at her. He smelled of very expensive cologne and whiskey. Hilary eyed his extensive collection of European whiskeys and thought Rodrick would be impressed with his taste. She hated that she thought of everything through the lens of Rodrick’s mind.

“I just want to get out of this as quickly and easily as possible,” Hilary said.

“And he wants to get out of this with as much of Isabella Helin’s money as he can,” Jefferson said.

Hilary frowned. “No. He wants to get out of this so he can date young actresses.” But even as she said it, she felt uneasy. Was Rodrick really so money-motivated? Was he really so cruel?

He was a Hollywood man, after all. Maybe Jefferson was right.

“Just think about it,” Jefferson said. “We don’t have to send him anything today. Divorces take months or even years, sometimes. Some exes really enjoy attempting to throw the other under the bus. They see it as getting revenge for all the horrible things in your marriage. Think about something he did that got to you. Did he ever do the dishes? Did he forget your anniversary?”

Hilary’s head thudded. Rodrick had done the dishes often. And he’d never forgotten their anniversary.

“Just think about it,” Jefferson repeated as though it were that simple. As though Hilary could go home, sit in her room, and remember a different past than the one she’d actually lived. Was anyone that creative?

Stella was waiting for Hilary outside Jefferson’s office. When Hilary stepped out, she found Stella in conversation with another woman who looked a little bit younger than Hilary and a little bit older than Stella. She was blotchy-eyed and shaking like a tiny dog.

“We’re going to wait right here for you,” Stella assured her as the woman got up. “Don’t worry.”

When the woman disappeared in Jefferson’s office, Hilary sat down, wiped her tearstained cheek with her sleeve, and furrowed her brow. “Who was that?”

“Her name is Rose,” Stella explained. “She doesn’t have anyone else on the island, and her husband is trying to take everything. She came from literally nothing.”

“Did she sign a prenup?” Hilary asked.

“I didn’t ask.” Stella sighed. “Did you make Rodrick sign one?”

Hilary shook her head. “Jefferson just told me I was a fool.”

“You were young and in love,” Stella said.

“And insane, apparently.”

“You don’t mind waiting for Rose, do you?” Stella asked. “I told her we could all grab dinner after. I don’t want her to be alone.”

“Of course not.”

Hilary understood that being alone was poisonous. It could destroy you.

Over dinner that night, Rose alternated between telling jokes and funny stories and sobbing openly. She wore her heart on her sleeve. This was endearing. Hilary remembered how long it had taken her and Stella to fully open up to each other; it had been a bit like opening a window very slowly to let in the calming breeze. By contrast, Rose let it all out. She was more like a sudden storm.

“You’re the nicest people I’ve met on Nantucket by a long shot,” Rose said, sniffling. “I don’t know which way is up these days. And I don’t dare use the house phone. I’m terrified he’ll charge me for making a long-distance call back to my parents’ place.”

“Why don’t you come home with me?” Hilary suggested, surprising herself. “You can use my phone all night if you want to.”

Rose gasped. “Are you sure?”

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