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Ariel felt stung by her daughter's apparent unwillingness to talk about what had happened between her and Connor earlier that evening; something wasn't right between them, but Katie was clamming up as if the conversation was completely off limits—even though something certainly seemed wrong.
Ariel wanted nothing more than for Katie to be happy—especially with all that they'd been through since coming here to Endless Harbor from Miami—but how could she help when even asking simple questions resulted in such closed doors? She watched helplessly as Katie tucked away into herself, giving no outward sign of discomfort or unrest other than the slight redness around her eyes which suggested tears had fallen not long before arriving back at Leeside itself. Just like clockwork once again: close out anyone who steps too far within boundaries or attempt an uncomfortable conversation. Katie had been opening up, shedding this bad habit that she’d adopted since moving from Miami. But now…
A feeling of frustration bubbled uncomfortably inside Ariel, but there seemed little else besides patience that could break down these walls; until then, Ariel would have to simply let silence linger pervasively throughout the room, wondering what might've become strained between two people who’d appeared so content only a few days ago.
“Come on, honey,” she said to Katie. “Let’s call it a day.”
The two of them made their way to their rooms. After getting ready for bed, Ariel caught a glimpse of Katie passing by her door. She noticed that Katie had been crying—in fact, she was still sniffling—and her heart sank. Katie’s phone glowed from her hand, though Ariel couldn’t see the message on the screen.
Ariel knew that there was something bothering Katie, and she didn't want to leave it unaddressed. If she had to be the pestering mom, so be it. She got up from her bed and followed Katie to her room.
"Hey, Katie, is everything okay?" she asked, as she sat down on the bed next to her. “I mean besides that little spat that you and Connor had—is everything else ok? Did you guys have another fight after dinner service?”
Katie didn't say anything for a while, her eyes fixated on the ground. Ariel sat quietly beside her, waiting patiently for her to speak. Finally, Katie spoke up in a small voice, "It's nothing, really. I don't want to talk about it."
They lapsed into momentary silence, and Ariel looked around the room. Ariel loved Katie’s room. It had to be one of her favorites in the whole house. She had given Katie complete freedom over its design, and Katie had set out to create a space that was both modern and reflective of the home's history. She’d wanted a room that was inviting, functional, and beautiful—a place where she could relax, study, and dream.
The first step in the restoration process had been to remove the old wallpaper, which had been peeling off the walls for years. Underneath, they’d found beautiful plaster walls, which they’d decided to keep as they were. The old hardwood floors, which had been hidden under carpeting for years, were also revealed and sanded down and refinished to their original beauty.
Katie had wanted to keep the Victorian aesthetic of the room, but also modernize it to suit her tastes. So, they’d chosen a fresh color palette of white, pale pink, and mint green, which created a light and airy atmosphere. They’d also installed new light fixtures, which illuminated the space beautifully and added a sense of elegance.
The furnishings in the room were carefully selected to reflect the room's history and charm. A beautiful four-poster bed, with a white lace canopy, became the centerpiece of the room. A vintage writing desk, with a wooden chair, was placed near the window, providing a perfect study area. And a soft pink armchair, with a matching ottoman, was added for reading and relaxation.
The finishing touches included bedding, curtains, and accessories that perfectly complemented the room's color scheme. A floral quilt, white linens, and a plush rug were added. The curtains, made of delicate lace, let in just the right amount of light, and gave the room a romantic feel. And the accessories, such as a vintage lamp, a silver-framed mirror, and a collection of porcelain figurines that Ariel had once displayed in their Miami home, added a touch of elegance and history. The once-neglected bedroom had been transformed into a beautiful and inviting space, fit for a teenage girl—a perfect blend of history, charm, and modernity, a place where Katie could feel comfortable and inspired. But right now, the beautiful space seemed more like a beautifulescapefor Ariel’s only child.
Ariel gently placed a hand on Katie’s back, "I know it's hard to open up, but sometimes it helps to talk to someone about what's going on. You don't have to keep everything bottled up inside."
Katie looked up at her, tears welling up in her eyes again. "It's just boy troubles," she said, her voice cracking. “You know how Connor freaked out about Darcy earlier.”
“That’s all that’s been going on?" Ariel asked softly.
"He's been distant lately, and I don't know why. He won't talk to me about it," Katie explained, wiping away a tear. “And now, he freaks out when he thinks I’m being too friendly with Darcy—please!As if Connor and I don’t spend every waking minute together, practically. It’s not like I’m asking Darcy to go on long walks on the beach or picnics on the lawn.”
Ariel sighed, remembering how difficult it was to navigate relationships at Katie’s age—not that things were terribly simple atAriel’sage. "I'm sorry, Katie. But you know, sometimes people go through things and they need a little space. It's not necessarily about you," she said, trying to reassure her.
There was a troubling possibility brewing in the back of Ariel’s mind—could Connor’s dating Katie and hanging out at Leeside have caused friction at home? It probably wasn’t Richard Stanton’s ideal situation to have his son dating the daughter of the woman he was constantly campaigning against, and it had to stick in the mayor’s craw that Connor spent so much time at her house.
Katie looked up at her with hopeful eyes, "Do you really think so?"
"Absolutely. Remember Dylan breaking up with me in Miami? That was because he thought a younger girlfriend would boost his status in the eyes of his firm and get him to make partner faster.”
“The dumbest reasoning ever,” Katie said, her tears beginning to dry.
“Well, if he hadn’t made the move, we wouldn’t be here. So I’m grateful.”
Katie nodded. “I guess I never thought of it that way. But you’re right. Sometimes, even sucky things happen for a reason.”
“Exactly. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here for you," Ariel said, patting her back. “Don’t ever feel like what you’re feeling should be kept hidden. I want the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
Katie smiled weakly, nestling into Ariel’s side. "Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it."
"Of course, sweetheart. Get some rest now, okay? You'll feel better in the morning," Ariel said, giving her a hug before heading back to her own room.
As she climbed into bed, Ariel couldn't help but worry about Katie. And as she drifted off to sleep, she had to stop her exhausted brain from reminding her that Miles's ex-wife was staying under the same roof. Tomorrow was a new day, and she would have to figure out what was really going on with Connorand what she and Miles would do about Emily-the-ex.
CHAPTER TEN
The next morning, Ariel woke up early, her mind preoccupied. She sent Miles a good morning text, and then left it up to him to reply. Though the worry about the awkwardness of the situation from last night lingered, Ariel was certain—based on his farewell before he’d left—that nothing Emily could do would affect Ariel’s relationship with Miles.
