Page 59 of Tied to Hope
Mary finally lifted her arm away from her eyes. They were red from all the tears she’d shed. “I need you to release that film. I want at least one good thing to come from this horror show.”
“Why would you choose to stay with him after what he’s done? You don’t deserve to be treated like that,” Lea insisted.
“You don’t understand shit, Lea. There is an ugly underbelly to Hollywood and he’s a part of it. I don’t have any power, but he does.” She lifted her chin defiantly. “He thinks I’m his little puppet, but he doesn’t realize I’m equally adept at pulling strings.”
“I don’t think it’s wise to play games with the man,” Brie warned.
Mary narrowed her eyes. “This isn’t about playing games, Brie. This is about taking all that power he wields in his fucking fist and producing something of value with it. The only reason he gave your first documentary a chance was because of me.”
Even though Mary’s statement sounded egotistical, Brie had come to believe it was true based on Holloway’s actions, so she did not correct Mary.
“He can’t see the gems because of all the shit he produces, but I can. We’ll get this second film out there, and I’m going to make certain Greg pours everything he has into it. He’ll get all the accolades, but that doesn’t matter to me. I just want to see the three of us live on in this film no matter what happens to us in the future. And, if it inspires other girls out there, that’ll be fucking fantastic.”
Lea shook her head and looked at Mary in disbelief. “Forgive my skepticism, girl, but this doesn’t sound like the Mary I know.”
Mary stared at her with those bloodshot eyes and said in a voice that chilled Brie to the bones, “I’m not that person anymore.”
“Is there really nothing else I can do?” Brie begged her, needing to do something more.
Mary stood up, sweeping back her blonde curls, which were heavy with perspiration. Even sweaty, red-eyed, and naked, she looked stunning and powerful. “Yeah, you can get me out of this fucking sweat lodge and treat me to a mani and pedi.”
The door opened and a new group of women walked into the sauna, but stopped short and stared at Mary in awe.
She started forward, casually wrapping the towel around herself as they parted to let her pass. Lea and Brie followed behind, looking as if they were Mary’s entourage.
Brie would have found it funny if she didn’t know about the incredible pain Mary was going through.
Knowing how much Faelan had truly loved Mary, it broke Brie’s heart that Mary hadn’t loved herself enough to accept it. Now, Faelan had moved on and there was no turning back.
It was up to Mary to navigate this unforgiving world she had thrust herself into. Brie was committed to standing by her and trusted that Mary would find her own happy ending.
Her Warriors
After two excruciatingly long weeks, Rytsar returned to America. Instead of calling, he texted them both to meet him at his beach house.
The fact that he’d chosen to text them worried Brie.
Unfortunately, Sir was at a business meeting in downtown LA, but he immediately called her when he received the text. “I’m leaving here straightaway. I want you to find a babysitter for Hope.”
After getting off the phone, Brie took a moment to breathe and try to still her racing heart. They were about to find out what the future held in store for them, and Brie was terrified that what they learned could destroy what they had.
Keeping her voice light, Brie called the Reynolds, Sir’s uncle and aunt. Judy answered.
“Hey, I know this is last minute, but do you mind watching Hope for the evening?”
“Of course not, darling. It’ll be good for both children to spend time together. Jack and I want them to grow up having regular play dates.”
Brie admired Sir’s aunt and uncle for adopting Lilly’s son, Jonathan. Their love for the child, mixed with the joy they felt about finally becoming parents, was a beautiful combination. In that kind of environment, Brie had no doubt that Jonathan would thrive.
Brie gathered all the baby paraphernalia required for a long stay, then packed extra, just in case. To help ease her nervousness while she waited, Brie picked up Hope and bounced her as she paced around the house.
When Judy pulled up, Brie ran outside and gave her a spontaneous hug.
The older woman chuckled. “Well, thank you.”
“I just appreciate you so much, Judy.”
Judy blushed. “Aren’t you a sweetheart?”
