"Do you plan on returning?" she asked, her face curious but seemingly not judgmental.
"Eventually, at the end of summer, when Max does."
"You know, I don't blame you," she said, fidgeting. "I've seen how he talks to you or touches you. We all have. We just wanted to be in the loop."
"Well, the loop is, Abby, that I never loved Max. He blackmailed me into accepting his proposal, and I've regretted it ever since. I gave my heart away years ago and it only finally came back to me. Once Max has returned from his work trip, I'll be calling our engagement off and leaving forever."
"What about Lydia?"
"What about her?" I shrugged.
"Don't you love her, or at least care for her?" Her eyes welled with tears, and the guilt I'd harbored over the truth of my feelings toward Lydia, caused my stomach to twist so hard I had to lean against the wall.
"I care that her father has deceived and gaslit her since the day she was born. I think as she grows older, she will realize just the man he is."
"And what about her mother? What will she think of her?"
"That's not my problem to worry about. Despite how hard Max pushed me to love Lydia. I... can't. I’m not the right mother for her."
I fled, the horrible confession sending me to the bathroom to vomit again. The longer this love affair with Gatsby went on, the more guilt I felt over my words and actions. How could I say such a thing about a child?
Cleaning myself up, I went and found suitcases and packed what I could. I then called Tuth, and once they got there, I made my exit. Abby caught me as I was leaving and stopped me.
"Daisy, the staff and I talked. We're going to cover for you."
I blinked.
"You know you'll be fired when he gets home," I warned.
She nodded. "We know. We've got time to plan future employment. Perhaps the handsome gentleman across the lake you've been spending time with will consider our applications come time."
I smiled and nodded.
"I'll make sure he does."
Chapter 47
Gatsby
I hadher all to myself for two months. Two beautiful months of her exquisiteness in my heart, my arms, and bed. Anything and everything she wanted to do, we did. We ignored all calendars and schedules in favor of enjoying the time together that we knew, with each passing day, was dwindling. Even though she'd sworn up and down that when Max returned, she was returning his ring to him, I had my doubts. Mostly because since I'd given it back, she hadn't taken it off.
"We have selected a production," she told me one early morning as we walked along the beach. "It's called Checkmate, and it's one of my favorites. I championed for it, so it was a nice surprise to see the announcement."
"I can't wait to see it," I told her.
"We start rehearsal at the Theater next week. You should come. You are the owner of the building, after all. I'm sure the owner would take interest in the show."
She'd read my mind.
"That is why I bought the place."
She laughed. "You're telling me now that you didn't have a passion for old, run-down theaters?"
"I guess the truth is out." I put my hands up in innocence. "I just wanted to impress a pretty girl."
"Color me impressed." She leaned up to kiss me. "Although, I was impressed long before this. You could have two pennies in your pocket and I'd still choose you, every time."
I joined her at the Theater that evening, although we took separate vehicles; her with Tuth, and me being driven by Dewayne. I went through the back, talking to her Madame, and some of the other staff that had been hired recently. With renovations almost completely finished, I needed to get people trained. I shook hands and greeted new faces, all the while keeping an eye on the ballerinas floating by to get to the stage.
