Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Our eyes met and held, so much emotion passing between us. Mine pleaded. Begged for understanding. Perhaps a little forgiveness. Hers gave it to me.
I kept talking.
“I was sleeping on Annie’s couch once Ed found out. He scrambled, but she and her team were ready. She hit him and the studio with everything she had.”
“And you got it all back?” she asked hopefully.
“None of it. It was all gone. He stole everything. But Annie got the studio to agree to let me out of the contract once I finished that season. She also got them to give me a bonus I didn’t know I got every season right away, so I had something to live on. She helped me find a small bungalow and cosigned the mortgage. It was because of her I got the lead role in Brace Yourself. It launched my new career, and she has been beside me the whole time.”
“She sounds great.”
I had to laugh. “Annie is a scary broad, and she uses that to her advantage. Her negotiation tactics are legendary, and she can work a room like nobody’s business. Because of her, the studio listened. She threatened them in such subtle ways, they were convinced it was their idea to let me go early. I’m lucky she’s on my side. When she believes in something, she has your back—and she’s had mine since I signed with her. She taught me how to read a contract, to understand what I was signing. To know my rights. She helped me grow up.”
“Wow.”
I nodded, serious again. “The only thing I hated was the NDA I had to sign, not to talk about any of it. The studio insisted, and Annie advised me to do it and cut all ties. Ed left town after Annie quietly had other stories leaked about him. Many came forward, having had the same sort of manipulation happen to them. He ran away like a coward, leaving behind the destruction he had caused me and others.” I sighed heavily. “One of his pap friends took exception to what I had done and started following me around, constantly badgering me. He didn’t bother other people as much as me. I had to get a restraining order to stop him. It was really awful.”
“What happened to Ed?”
“Dead. He always liked to drive too fast, and he took a corner in wet weather and rolled his car in whatever place he was living and died instantly, from what I heard. I didn’t waste time mourning him. But it was then I was sent your letters and mine, and I realized what had happened. What his greatest lie had been. Breaking us up so he had no one to worry about.”
“Why did he keep them?” she asked, confused.
“He kept everything. He was a hoarder. He threw nothing away. When whoever was cleaning out his things found a box with my name on it, they sent it to Annie, who gave it to me.”
“Why didn’t you get in contact?”
“It had been five years at that point. I assumed you’d moved on. I’d heard you left town, and I supposed you’d found a new life.”
“Did you?”
“Not the way you probably think.” I pushed off the glass and approached her. “I picked up the pieces, but I have never been whole again. Knowing how hurt you must have been has eaten at me all these years. That I allowed it to happen. Accepting your silence when I should have known better is something I will regret the rest of my life.” I swallowed. “I can’t express how sorry I am.” I swallowed. “I want to ask for your forgiveness, but I know I don’t have that right.”
She didn’t speak, our eyes once again locked in a moment of silent conversation.
“I’m sorry for what you went through,” she said finally.
“I’m sorry for the pain I caused you. For not being there when you really needed me. Your mom meant so much to you. I should have come, regardless.”
“I understand now. I wish you had reached out, but I understand.”
I bit back the swell of emotion her generosity caused. “Thank you.”
“We both came out okay in the end,” she whispered, even as a tear ran down her cheek. “It was probably inevitable. We were too young for a lifetime choice.”
“Still, I regret allowing the silence.” I bent and took her hands. “I’m sorry about your mom. I know how you loved her, and I should have been there for you the way you were there for me.”
“I forgive you.”
Her simple, honest words hit my chest like bullets, releasing pain I didn’t know I was holding in. I smiled, the image of her blurring slightly in front of me. I knew I needed to get out of there before I broke down in front of her.