Page 79 of Second Chances
As they had lain on the couch, both too sated to move, her thoughts had drifted back to the drawing in Caroline’s room, anger pooling in her stomach. She kept telling herself that it wasn’t Darcy’s fault that Caroline had kept her drawing of him; they had been in a relationship and she couldn’t be angry with him for that. It just hurt to think of him being with another woman that way, another woman who was currently trying to resume that role in his life at Beth’s expense. The thoughts finally caused Beth to stir from her comfortable perch resting on Darcy’s chest, getting up to take a shower.
Because showers are one of, if not the best place to sort out problems.
Maybe Caroline had wanted Beth to see it, then again, judging from how brazen she had been already with her threats, she probably would have said something to Beth if that was the case. No, for whatever her insane reasons, Caro wanted to keep Beth in the dark as to who she was.
Maybe to use it as leverage.
Maybe to use it as proof that Darcy doesn’t love Beth, otherwise, he would have told her.
At that thought, Beth began to vigorously towel dry her hair, berating herself for not having faith in Darcy. He hadn’t told her because he was trying to protect her on so many levels:she knew that.But, now that she did know, what were they going to do? They couldn’t just wait around for Caro to make her next move.
Tying the sash on her robe, she left the bathroom in search of Darcy and something to eat - finding both in the living room.
“Feel better?” he asked as she entered the room, taking a seat on the couch.
“Yes, thank you,” Beth replied, picking up the plate of food he had made for her off of the coffee table.
“This is delicious,” she moaned, enjoying her first bite of whatever deliciously concocted panini he had put together, “what’s in this?”
“It’s a secret,” he said playfully, pausing for a moment before answering her. “Chicken with some apple and brie.”
“Mmmm” was the only thing Beth could respond with, her mouth full from her second bite.
“Glad you like it,” he said with a laugh, watching her wipe some melted cheese off the side of her mouth from taking too large a bite.
“I do,” she said softly. “So, what are we going to do about Caroline?”
His face shadowed again at her question, turning to look out the windows in deep thought about the situation facing them.
It had to come back to this sooner or later.
“Are you sure she doesn’t know what you saw?” he asked sharply.
“Yes. She wasn’t home when I was up there and I avoided her most of the party,” Beth explained.
“Right, but do you think avoiding her gave her any indication that something was wrong?”
“I don’t know… I don’t think so. I mean I talked to her and pretended as best I could that everything was ok. I didn’t know what else to do, but no, I don’t think she could know that I’ve figured out who she is,” Beth replied, swallowing thickly, trying to remember everything about the party, every interaction with Caroline, to see if, in her shock and anger, she gave something away.
“Caroline is the most manipulative person I’ve ever met, and naturally, she assumes that everyone else is as conniving and secretive as she is, so, I’m sure she suspects that something is up if you avoided her, but hopefully nothing more than that…”
“I tried to play it off as more relationship problems, as well as the party, keeping me occupied. I can’t say for sure, but I really don’t think she can have any legitimate reason to believe that I’ve figured out part of her game.”
“Well, until we figure the rest of it out, I hope that remains the case.”
“I don’t know how to handle her, handle this - I’m barely handling myself at the moment, but I do know that I have to tell Jane…” Beth said, reservedly.
She’d been going back and forth about it for most of the time she’d been in the shower. Should she tell her sister or not? Knowing how much of an impact it would have on Jane’s personal life, her relationship with her future in-laws, her relationship with her husband, it had been difficult to willingly choose to give her that burden; but, now that Jane knew the issues and veiled threats passing between Beth and Darcy’s ex, there was no way around not being completely open with her.
“Lying about it to her would only go so far,” she continued, “now that she knows about the threats, even if I lied to her, she would wonder why nothing was being done; no, she wouldn’t accept that nothing is being done about it.”
“Are you sure?”
“No, but I don’t know that surety in this situation is possible. I know it’s going to hurt her, but not even Charles knows about your relationship and based on what Caroline has said to me, she won’t hesitate to go after Jane if I don’t leave you which puts Jane in danger, especially if she is blindsided by it. Telling her is going to be difficult, but it’s not going to be as dangerous as keeping it from her.”
“Ok,” Darcy replied, solemnly.
“Ok? That’s it?” Beth asked, flabbergasted by his lack of input, lack of direction.
