Lucas sat at his desk staring at the computer screen lost in thought. He thought a conversation with Samuel would enlighten him about Sarah. Well his eyes were definitely open now. There was so much he hadn’t known, so much he still didn’t know but one thing was abundantly clear…he was an ass and an idiot. If he could dig a hole and bury himself right now…he would.
Sarah had been abandoned by her brother, dismissed by her father and ignored by her husband, betrayed on the deepest levels by all of them. The only person she could trust was her mother who passed away when she was so young. With a limited budget she poured her heart into her wedding only to be criticized for her inadequacy. She endured so much because of his neglect. What woman would have stayed unless…
She really did love him.
She loved him.
In a world of fakes and frauds and con artists she had been the one real thing in his life.
And he pushed her away, off into the shadows like some dirty secret.
All the important men in her life had judged her, ridiculed her and abandoned her. And she, in turn, walked away from each of them. After hearing the story from Samuel Lucas was practically shaking with rage and shame that in Sarah’s mind he was no better than her father.
But he had no one to blame but himself.
He married an amazing woman and allowed his own prejudice to blind him. She loved him. She wouldn’t have put so much effort into the wedding, wouldn’t have even agreed to it, if she didn’t love him. And he dismissed her. He dismissed her.
And now he was paying the price.
Sarah was everything he always wanted. She was lively and energetic, thoughtful and caring, gentle and strong, beautiful and sexy. There weren’t enough words to describe her in any language. And she loved him…or at least used to.
Now there was only one person she loved, who she devoted herself to: Zoe.
He still couldn’t believe he was a father to such an adorable, energetic little girl. How had he gone so long without her sparkling eyes and bright smile? If he failed this challenge how would he go on without being able to see her again? How could he convince Sarah to stay in his life after he hurt her?
She suffered so much. She survived by walking away and cutting them out of her life. How could he convince her to let him back in? That it was safe to let him back in?
“Hello brother!”
Lucas jerked out of his spiraling thoughts to see Lidia had let herself in without knocking. Madeline was right behind her coyly smiling at him as they approached the desk. Lucas glanced at the pair with no real expression on his face.
“This is a place of work. What do you want?”
Lidia hesitated. Four years ago it was a simple matter to drag her brother out for a shopping trip. He never denied her anything letting her meander and browse to her heart’s content. Of course Madeline was included in all activities. It was part of the plan.
Neither could remember when they decided Madeline would be Lucas’s perfect wife but it had become their ultimate goal. Once Madeline and Lucas married they would be like real sisters and the pair spent many long, giggling nights discussing everything they would do once they were family.
His marriage to Sarah had thrown a wrench into their plans but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle. It was clear Lucas hated her so all they needed to do was put pressure on her and eventually Sarah would make a mistake so unforgivable Lucas could divorce her. It took longer than they thought it would but they succeeded; however, that was their last success.
Since Sarah left Lucas became obsessed with her. He refused to entertain their demands and inane requests. He didn’t take them shopping. He didn’t take them out anymore at all. Lidia and Madeline were at a loss to explain why he treated them so coldly.
“Well the DaLair Mixer is in a couple of days and we thought it would be great to coordinate with each other. You know…a united front,” Lidia said.
Her brother used to be on good terms with the DaLairs but as of late the relationship soured. She didn’t know why. But appearance was important and she wanted to show everyone the Stantons didn’t need the DaLairs.
“And why would I want to do that?” Lucas asked his expression unchanging. “We are not a united front. More importantly we aren’t even family.”
His gaze drifted to Madeline as he spoke making it clear he referred directly to her. Over the last four years he had grown particularly cold toward her almost treating her like a complete stranger. There had been no photo opportunities and the rumors they worked so hard to start went cold. Madeline puckered her lips into a pout hoping for sympathy but his expression didn’t change.
“That’s exactly what we wanted to talk to you about,” Lidia said. “We think it’s time to stop beating around the bush and put certain rumors to rest.”
“I see. And those rumors wouldn’t happen to be about Sarah coming back, would they?” Lucas asked.
Lidia bit her lip. She hadn’t seen him at the party and assumed he left early like always but apparently he had seen Sarah after all. Perhaps Sarah specifically confronted him.
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t know what lies she’s telling now but we’ll take care of her so you don’t have to worry…” Lidia jerked back as Lucas suddenly leapt to his feet.
He leaned over his desk holding her in a glare he usually saved for outrageous complaints from the Board, “You listen and you listen good. Stay away from Sarah. You will not call her. You will not talk to her. You will not contact her in anyway. Go anywhere near her, try to start anything with her and you’re done. Got that?”
Lidia backed a step feeling herself tremble at his tone. He wasn’t joking.
“And that goes double for you,” Lucas shifted his gaze to Madeline. “Now get out unless you intend to do your actual job.”
They hesitated only a moment before withdrawing. Clearly it wasn’t a good time. Trying to cover their rejection by maintaining a superior attitude as they retreated there were no halting rumors that would undoubtedly circulate about how their visit had been cut short.
Stepping onto the elevator Madeline finally asked, “What are we going to do now? She’s gotten to him somehow.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.”
“He told you to stay away from her.”
“So? I’m his sister. It’s not like he’s going to do anything to me. Besides I don’t have to go anywhere near her. I can make rumors fly from anywhere. Just watch.”
* * *
“That was pretty impressive,” Alan smirked. It was a pity Sarah hadn’t been there to witness it.
Lucas slumped in his chair.
“Do you think she’ll actually listen?”
“No. I saw the wheels turning.”
“So what do you want to do?”
“Can you get a paternity test done…quietly?”
“Yeah sure, but why?”
“Lidia doesn’t know about that night but I doubt she would let it go to chance.”
“You think she’s going to try to stir the board up and fake the test?”
Lucas sighed. For as long as he had known his sister there was one thing he absolutely understood: she never gave up. She was so assured of her own superiority she fully believed she was untouchable. Truthfully he hadn’t done much to dissuade her. So it was partially his fault though their mother probably deserved the greater burden of blame for encouraging it.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it,” Alan assured him.
Lucas nodded but it was only the beginning. Lidia would not simply stop at one trick. He had to anticipate all of them. But he also had to anticipate Sarah’s reaction and he was less sure of himself there. He still knew so little about her.
For instance…where was she now?
* * *
“Ooo! Mommy where are we?” Zoe asked as Sarah set her on her feet.
They had spent the morning at the Museum of Ice Cream. Sarah collected several photos of Zoe running around the immersive environments. It was almost like being in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory with brightly colored rooms of giant ice cream cones, sprinkle pools and a three-story slide all devoted to the history of the dairy confection.
Not surprising real ice cream was available throughout the museum allowing them to choose various flavors and toppings to suit their whims. Sarah was certain Zoe would go into a sugar comma by the end of it but she kept running around without an end in sight to her energy.
Zoe’s laughter brought Sarah peace of mind and great joy but it couldn’t last forever. Ava’s words still weighed in her mind.
* * *
“…So are you going to tell me about what’s going on?” Ava asked as they watched the kids play taking turns throwing the ball for Daisy and chasing the puppy as she fetched it.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you and Lucas.”
“What are you talking about? You invited him.”
“You didn’t have to tell him,” Ava said. “Unless you wanted him to come along.”
“Okay will you just stop with your little psycho-analysis,” Sarah shook her head.
“You still love him, don’t you?”
“I said stop, Ava. It doesn’t matter what I felt four years ago. He never cared about me and it’s over.”
“Is it?”
“Ava…”
“I’m just saying I know. I told you all about what it was like after the night Silas and I spent together and he thought I was a maid. How cold he was and how terrified I became of him ever finding out about me and the kids.”
Sarah nodded.
“And I told you about what it was like when we finally met again after ten years. How sweet he was and caring and kind.”
“It’s different,” Sarah insisted. “You two were drugged and tricked. It was a misunderstanding. Lucas and I…we…”
“Are you sure it’s that different?” Ava asked.
“Silas always loved you. Lucas…never cared about me.”
“If he never cared why has he spent the last four years looking for you?”
“He what?”
“He’s been looking for you,” Ava said. “He’s never stopped.”
Sarah’s brow furrowed trying to fight the flutter in her heart. Did he really look for her?
“I’m not saying you give him a free pass. Just don’t write him off. Running from the pain doesn’t make it go away.”
* * *
“Mommy?”
“Sorry baby, this is an art gallery,” Sarah explained. “We’ll go to the Museum of Natural History tomorrow but I wanted to take you here first.”
Stepping into the small gallery they were immediately faced with a large painting featuring soldiers relaxing against a tank. Strong brush strokes highlighted their tired, almost vacant expressions. There was no glory, no sense of accomplishment. It was a picture of people who had a long, hard day and would have another tomorrow. The painting was titled, Coffee Break by Carl Grayson.
Moving further in they saw a baby grand piano in the center of the space surrounded by false walls that could be moved depending on the changing exhibits. The curator smiled from the desk. She was there to answer any questions they might have but otherwise they were free to explore as they wished.
Sarah wandered through the space. It had been so long since her last visit and she was pleased to see Macey’s work was as engaging as ever. Unsurprisingly Zoe’s favorite was A New Perspective. She particularly liked the fuzzy jumping spider holding up its mandibles as if playing a game of peek-a-boo.
The latest collection was called Daddy’s Girl and featured several images of Julius with their latest little one, Lyra. Sarah smiled at the images of the pair napping on the couch together and playing on the floor with baby toys. Macey always managed such clever compositions that were true to life but also hid the identities of her family models.
For Sarah who knew their family it was not difficult to figure out who was who but for someone who wasn’t close to them personally identifying them would be a more difficult task as she chose angles in profile or shadowed. Yet those angles also gave her work a more intimate feel. As if you were peering over their shoulder.
While they viewed the latest series chronicling Lyra’s baby days up to her first day of school the gallery door opened letting in another visitor. Almost immediately Beethoven’s Sonata #16 echoed throughout the space. Peering around the corner Sarah saw a young boy at the piano expertly tapping away surrounded by a red-haired girl his own age as well as two younger kids.
“Oh my god! Sarah!”
She turned and was immediately engulfed in a fierce hug.
“Hi Macey.”
“That’s it?” Macey suddenly pulled away. “Three years and all you have to say is Hi Macey?”
As usual Macey looked gorgeous with her bouncing mane of red hair and bright green eyes that always made Sarah envious. Her clothing was casual but there was no need for her to put on airs. As a well-respected artist and wife of one of New York’s most powerful businessmen no one would dare criticize her even if she went out in her pajamas.
“You better have more to say than that!” Macey declared.
“Mommy, who’s that?” Zoe peeked around her staring at the new woman.
“This is your Auntie Macey,” Sarah said. “Macey this is Zoe.”
“Oh my god, you are so precious.” Macey sank to her knee.
Whatever reservations Zoe had instantly melted away and she eagerly hugged the aunt she had only heard about. Macey squeezed her tight before holding her at arm’s length to really look at her.
“You are as beautiful as your mother!”
“Thank you,” Zoe giggled.
“Mommy?”
Macey turned as a five-year-old with strawberry-blonde hair approached. Aside from the lighter hair she was her mother’s miniature complete with green eyes that sparkled when she was excited.
“Lyra, you remember the friend I told you about? I taught her photography for the book she was writing?”
“Auntie Sarah!” Aria greeted hurrying up to them and eagerly hugging her.
“Oh, this is Auntie Sarah?” Lyra said.
“Yes. And this is her daughter, Zoe.”
“Hi Zoe!” Aria greeted.
“Hello.” Zoe smiled feeling a little self-conscious as another joined them, a boy about eight years old.
“Coda, say hi,” Macey said while Caden continued to play.
“Hi,” Coda half hid behind his older sister as he studied them.
Though it looked as if the elder DaLair brother was ignoring them, Caden called from the piano, “Hello Aunt Sarah, Zoe.”
“Hi Caden,” Sarah chuckled. As far as he was concerned nothing compared to music. “I saw Lexi and the boys last night.”
Caden nodded not showing any trace of embarrassment or perhaps he had already endured too much teasing for it bother him. Aria was not known for pulling punches when she chose to push buttons. The disparity between the twins always fascinated Sarah who no longer had a good relationship with her own brother.